EVERETT — Some good came from tragedy.
After the fatal Dec. 31, 2015, fire at the Bluffs apartments, many of the displaced families had no support systems. Local churches, nonprofits and donors — corporate and private — worked together to meet the needs.
They formed lasting relationships, said Angela Edwards, a social worker with Hand In Hand. The Christian nonprofit on Casino Road was deeply involved in the fire recovery efforts.
Some who were helped already have found ways to give back, she said. They have an understanding now of the resources available and how to get assistance for others.
Edwards is moved by two women who didn’t know each other before the fire and have become close friends. Both were pregnant and lost their homes. Now they attend community events together, where mothers talk about raising healthy kids.
Several apartment complexes in the area also waived fees to get people into new homes quickly, Edwards said. Within three months, most of the families had housing and furniture. The last family was housed in May.
Many groups that stepped up after the fire have stayed in touch. They frequently refer families to the grassroots organizations they got to know last year, including Hand In Hand and Bible Baptist Church.
In addition, safety problems at the Bluffs prompted widespread scrutiny of large apartment complexes. The Bluffs didn’t have the required fire alarms. Multiple fire departments throughout Snohomish County, including Everett, checked complexes and condos. They have ordered 32 property owners of large complexes to install alarms.
Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @rikkiking.
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