By Florida Catholic staff - Florida Catholic

BAL HARBOUR | Two staff members from Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami are now on hand daily at the Family Assistance Center which was set up for relatives of those missing after the collapse of Champlain Towers South in Surfside.

Located at the Sea View Hotel, 9909 Collins Ave., Bal Harbour, the Family Assistance Center is managed by the Miami-Dade County Community Action Agency's Human Services Division with support from the Red Cross. It opened June 28, 2021 for the families and those affected by the tragedy.

The center will be staffed by one counselor and one staff member from Catholic Charities' New Life Family Shelter from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day of the week.

Aside from Catholic Charities, many other community organizations are present at the Family Assistance Center, including but not limited to the Red Cross, FEMA, Miami Dade County's Community Action Agency and the Office of Sen. Marco Rubio.

"We’re currently providing Publix food cards,  counseling, rapid rehousing, and shelter services," said Jackie Carrion, senior director of Community Based Services for Catholic Charities.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and his wife visited with the staff Monday and inquired about the services being provided. "I spoke with him and described the services available and he thanked Catholic Charities for the work we do," Carrion said. 

The agency also is collecting financial donations to assist those affected by the tragedy. Click here to go directly to the page and choose Disaster Relief from the dropdown menu.