EARTHQUAKE: THE LONG ROAD BACK : Where to Get Help : A GUIDE TO COPING WITH THE QUAKE
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DIRECTORY
* Disaster Hot Line
(800) 525-0321
(800) 660-8005 TDD
This number has been set up by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for general information.
* FEMA Telephone Registration Line: (800)-462-9029
(800) 462-7585 TDD
The FEMA lines are available 24 hours a day. Registrants can choose to apply over the phone or by visiting one of the disaster aid centers. Be prepared to provide your name, address, Social Security number and those of other occupants in the house at the time of the quake. Several languages are spoken on both these lines, including Spanish. Applicants may apply at any center.
* Los Angeles Housing Department
(213) 847-7368 and (800) 994-4444
For assistance on relocations and repairs.
* Structure inspections
The city of Los Angeles has set up a 24-hour hot line to call for inspections of quake-related damage: (800) 655-4095.
The city also has set up numbers in the (213) area code: 237-0920, 237-0921 and 237-1487 and 485-1936, 485-1937, 485-1938, 485-7091, 485-7092, 485-7093, and 485-8573. These numbers are good for people in the 818 and 310 area codes.
* City volunteer help line
(213) 847-3125
For those who wish to volunteer their goods or services and for people needing the assistance of volunteers. There is a special need for Armenian translators and clerical workers for various city departments.
* Sign language interpreting
For deaf and hard of hearing people needing a sign language interpreter or other assistance:
Accommodating Ideas
5032 Lankershim Blvd.
Suite 1
North Hollywood
(818) 752-3320 voice or TDD
(818) 752-3324 (after 5 p.m.) TDD answering machine
Disaster Aid Centers
FEMA application centers will be open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily until further notice. Those who have suffered losses may obtain local, state and federal assistance by visiting the center nearest them. Programs are being offered to cover earthquake losses to homes, personal property and businesses not covered by insurance or other aid programs.
* Calabasas
Calabasas High School
22855 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas
* Glendale
Glendale Auditorium Civic Center
1401 N. Verdugo Road
Glendale
* Northridge/Granada Hills
Winnetka Recreation Center
8401 Winnetka Ave., Winnetka
* Panorama City/Sunland
Stonehurst Recreation Center
9901 Dronfield Ave., Los Angeles
* Reseda/Tarzana
Balboa Recreation Center
17015 Burbank Blvd., Tarzana
* San Fernando
Gage Wilson Building
1245 San Fernando Road, San Fernando
* Santa Clarita/Saugus
Canyon Country Park
17615 Soledad Canyon Road, Santa Clarita
* Sherman Oaks
Van Nuys/Sherman Oaks Park
14201 Huston St., Sherman Oaks
* Sherman Oaks/Van Nuys
Van Nuys Recreation Center
14301 Vanowen Ave., Van Nuys
* Sylmar/San Fernando
Sylmar Recreation Center
13109 Borden Ave., Sylmar
Shelters
The National Guard has set up tents at these locations:
* Lanark Recreation Center, 21816 Lanark St., Canoga Park (2,500 people)
* Winnetka Recreation Center, 8401 Winnetka Ave., Winnetka (600 people)
* Valley Plaza Park, 12240 Archwood St., North Hollywood (1,000 people)
* Reseda Park, 18411 Victory Blvd., Reseda (1,000 people)
* Balboa Park, 17015 Burbank Blvd., Encino (1,000 people)
* West Valley Park, 6701 Wilbur St., Reseda (600 people)
* Red Cross hot line: 213-739-4543
For getting or offering assistance. Red Cross shelters can provide food, blankets, some medical care and cots for an overnight stay. The Salvation Army shelters also provide food and a place to stay.
* Red Cross emergency shelters:
* Birmingham High School, 17000 Haynes St., Van Nuys
* Canoga Park High School, 6850 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Canoga Park
* Canyon High School, 19300 W. Nadal St., Santa Clarita
* Church on the Way, 14218 Sherman Way, Van Nuys
* Fulton Junior High School, 7477 Kester Ave., Van Nuys
* Glendale Armory, 220 Colorado Blvd., Glendale
* Granada Hills High School, 10535 Zelzah Ave., Granada Hills
* Mason Recreation Center, 10400 Mason Ave., Chatsworth
* McCambridge Recreation Center, 1515 Glenoaks Blvd., Burbank
* Newhall Park Center, Boys & Girls Club, 24909 N. Newhall Ave., Santa Clarita
* Newhall Senior Center, 22900 Market Ave., Santa Clarita
* North Hollywood High School, 5231 Colfax Ave., North Hollywood
* Reseda Recreation Center, 18411 Victory Blvd., Reseda
* San Fernando High School, 11113 O’Melveny Ave., San Fernando
* San Fernando Recreation Center, 208 Park Ave., San Fernando
* Saugus High School, 21900 W. Centurion Way, Saugus
* Sepulveda Recreation Center, 8801 Kester Ave., North Hills
* Shepherd of the Hills, 19700 Rinaldi St., Porter Ranch
* Sylmar High School, 13050 Borden Ave., Sylmar
* Van Nuys High School, 6525 Cedros Ave., Van Nuys
* Wilson Junior High School, 1221 Monterey Road, Glendale
Salvation Army Hot Lines:
* (800) 725-9005
* (213) 380-9729 (Spanish)
This 24-hour hot line is for referrals to shelter and food for quake victims, as well as credit card donations.
Salvation Army shelter locations:
* San Fernando Valley Corps, 14917 Victory Blvd., Van Nuys
* Canoga Park High School, 6850 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Canoga Park
Quake Aid
Red Cross Service Centers
These Red Cross service centers opened Tuesday. Caseworkers can assess disaster-caused needs and provide vouchers for food, clothing, temporary housing/rental assistance, help with health/medical needs, urgent household items such as bedding or cookware, and some home repairs. Those who cannot be seen the same day will be given appointments and asked to return during the next day or two. Hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. until further notice.
* Bethlehem Lutheran Church
27265 Luther Drive
Santa Clarita
* Epiphany Lutheran Church
7769 Topanga Canyon Road
Canoga Park
* First United Methodist Church
1525 Glenoaks Blvd.
San Fernando
* Glendale Civic Auditorium
1400 Glendale Ave.
Glendale
* Machinist Union Hall
2600 W. Victory Blvd.
Burbank
* Masonic Temple
6701 Darby Ave.
Reseda
* Our Lady of Perpetual Hope
23233 Lyons Ave.
Santa Clarita
* First Presbyterian Church of Granada Hills
10400 Zelzah Ave.
Northridge
* Studio City Recreation Center
12621 Rye St.
Studio City
* Sycamore Park Community Center
1692 Sycamore St.
Simi Valley
* UAW Local 645
7915 Van Nuys Blvd.
Van Nuys
* Woodland Hills Church of Christ
23363 Burbank Blvd.
Woodland Hills
Korean American Earthquake Assistance Center
* Opens today at 10408 Balboa Blvd., Granada Hills. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For information, call (818) 363-5334.
Water
Water will be available from the Department of Water and Power from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the following locations. Recipients must bring their own clean containers. There is no limit; trucks refill and return to sites throughout the day.
* Canoga Park High School, 6850 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Canoga Park
* Chatsworth High School, 10027 Lurline Ave., Chatsworth
* Cleveland High School, 8140 Vanalden Ave., Reseda
* El Camino Real High School, 5440 Valley Circle Blvd., Woodland Hills
* Granada Hills High School, 10535 Zelzah Ave., Granada Hills
* Knollwood Country Club, 12040 Balboa Blvd., Granada Hills
* Kennedy High School, 11254 Gothic Ave., Granada Hills
* San Fernando High School, 11133 O’Melveny Ave., San Fernando
* Sylmar High School, 13050 Borden Ave., Sylmar
* Taft High School, 5461 Winnetka Ave., Woodland Hills
Free ice is available today beginning at noon at five locations:
* Chatsworth High School, 10027 Lurline Ave., Chatsworth
* Granada Hills High School, 10535 Zelzah Ave., Granada Hills
* Kennedy High School, 11254 Gothic Ave., Granada Hills
* San Fernando High School, 11133 O’Melveny Ave., San Fernando
* Sylmar High School, 13050 Borden Ave., Sylmar
Utilities & Other Services
* Southern California Gas Co.
To request service restoration or to report suspected leaks, call (800) 427-2200. In addition, the following walk-in emergency service centers are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.:
* Birmingham High School, 17000 Haynes St., Van Nuys
* Granada Hills High School, 10535 Zelzah Ave., Granada Hills
* K mart parking lot, 19600 Plummer St., Northridge
* San Fernando Recreation Center, 208 Park Ave., San Fernando
* Santa Clarita City Hall, 23920 Valencia Blvd., Santa Clarita
* GTE
A variety of free services are available to quake victims. People can call the following numbers for information:
(800) 483-4000 (residential customers)
(800) 483-5000 (business customers)
(800) 483-7724 (Spanish)
(800) 483-3350 (telecommuting assistance)
GTE has also established three phone bank centers where people can go to make calls:
* San Fernando Recreation Center, 208 Park Ave., San Fernando
* LAPD, Foothill Division, 12760 Osborne St., Pacoima
* GTE Building, 510 Park Ave., San Fernando
* Pacific Bell
A variety of free services are available to quake victims.
To order voice mail, call:
(800) 273-7000, Ext. 345 (residential customers)
(800) 540-8020 (business customers)
To order call forwarding, call:
(800) 371-2355
For telecommuting assistance, call:
(800) 303-0309
* Southern California Edison Co.
Customers are asked to call (800) 643-0517 with service and billing questions
* Department of Water and Power
Customers with electric or water service problems should call (800) DIAL DWP or (818) DIAL DWP
Food
* The National Council of Negro Women and the San Fernando Valley chapter of the NAACP will distribute food to quake victims from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at 13734-B Foothill Blvd., Sylmar, and at the Phoenix House, 11600 Eldridge Ave., Lake View Terrace.
Information: (818) 364-3770
* Adventist Community Services is distributing water, food and clothing to earthquake victims at the following sites:
* San Fernando Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church
14646 Chatsworth St.
Mission Hills
3 to 7 p.m.
* Northridge Seventh-day Adventist Church
17700 Plummer St.
Northridge
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
* Pacoima Seventh-day Adventist Church
11350 Glenoaks Blvd.
Pacoima
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
* Van Nuys Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church
15059 Saticoy St.
Van Nuys
8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Items for donation may also be dropped off at the churches during distribution hours. The San Fernando Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church is accepting donations from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Information: (818) 409-0114
Medical
* Physicians and nurses from Valley Presbyterian Hospital will staff a mobile van to give basic health care to earthquake victims:
Winnetka Recreation Center
8401 Winnetka Ave.
Winnetka
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today
Donations
* Blood donations:
Donating blood takes about an hour. People wishing to donate should be at least 18 years old, weigh more than 110 pounds and be in good health. For blood donation sites:
* American Red Cross (800) 974-2113
* Red Cross
The American Red Cross is accepting monetary donations only. Make check to “Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.”
* Los Angeles Chapter
American Red Cross
2700 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles 90057
* Salvation Army
Assistance and credit card donations: (800) 725-9005. Mail monetary donations to:
* Los Angeles Salvation Army Central,
900 W. 9th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90015
* Catholic Charities
Earthquake Disaster Fund
1400 W. 9th St.
Los Angeles 90015
(213) 251-3400
The charity is also gathering information on homebound senior citizens. Contact:
Catholic Charities Aging Department
(213) 251-3480
* San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council
Accepting donations of food, household goods and clothing, as well as offers of building repair and counseling services for earthquake victims. Information: (818) 718-6460
* Direct Relief International
Collaborating with disaster response agencies throughout Southern California to provide emergency first aid and surgical items to major hospitals in the San Fernando Valley. Send donations to:
Direct Relief International
27 S. La Patera Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93117-3251
* Los Angeles Women’s Foundation
Reactivating its emergency relief fund to provide emergency grants to nonprofit agencies serving low-income women and their families who are victims of the earthquake. Send donations to:
Los Angeles Women’s Foundation
6030 Wilshire Blvd.
Suite 303
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(213) 938-9828
* Seventh-day Adventist Church donated goods hot line, (800) 253-3000
* United Way of Greater Los Angeles
Make check out to “United Way Earthquake Relief Fund,”
621 South Virgil Ave.
Los Angeles 90005
(818) 445-6300
* Jewish Federation Council of Greater Los Angeles
6505 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles 90048
(800) 385-9065
* California Community Foundation
Donations will be directed to nonprofit organizations working in the areas of community health, counseling and transitional living. Make checks payable to:
L.A. Earthquake Recovery Fund
606 S. Olive St.
Suite 2400
Los Angeles 90014
Schools
Los Angeles Unified School District
Counselors will be available to speak with parents and/or students at the following hot lines:
* San Fernando Valley area: (818) 997-2640, (818) 997-2398 or (818) 997-2545
* Central/South Central L.A. area: (213) 754-2856 or (213) 753-4551
* South and Harbor area: (310) 832-7545
* West: (310) 444-9913
* East: (213) 625-6190
* Middle school and senior high school students: (213) 742-7551 or (213) 625-6335
* Homework Hotline, broadcast Monday through Thursday on KLCS-TV (Channel 58), will have mental health professionals available for call-in questions from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Call (800) LA STUDY.
Burbank Adult School
(818) 558-4611
The start of the spring semester has been delayed until Feb. 7.
William S. Hart School District
(805) 259-0033
Hart High School and Placerita Junior High School will reopen today on a minimum-day schedule. The hours at Hart will be 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and at Placerita from 8:10 a.m. to noon. Students and staff are encouraged to wear or bring warm clothing. The following will be on a regular schedule beginning today: Arroyo Seco Junior High, Canyon High, Saugus High, Sierra Vista Junior High, the Teen Mom program and the Community School. Bowman High School and the Learning Post will continue on a regular schedule. All ROP and Golden Oak Adult School classes will resume Monday.
Saugus Union School District
(805) 294-7500
Rosedell Elementary School will remain closed until further notice. All other schools in the district are open.
Los Angeles Roman Catholic Archdiocese
Parents should call the school site for more information. If no answer, call (213) 251-3300.
The following Catholic school will reopen today:
* St. Anne School in Santa Monica (school hours: 8:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. today, Thursday and Friday)
The following Catholic schools are scheduled to reopen Monday:
* St. John Eudes School in Chatsworth
* St. Monica School in Santa Monica
The following Catholic schools were uncertain of their reopening dates:
* St. Cyril of Jerusalem School in Encino
* St. John the Baptist de la Salle School in Granada Hills
* Santa Rosa School in San Fernando
The following Catholic schools will be closed until further notice:
* Alemany High School in Mission Hills
* Mary Immaculate School in Pacoima
* Nativity School in Los Angeles
* Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Santa Clarita
* St. Euphrasia School in Granada Hills
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
* Cal State Northridge
(818) 885-1200
The start of spring semester has been delayed. Tentative date to reopen campus is Feb. 14. A job fair scheduled for Thursday has been canceled, although students and alumni can attend a USC job fair on the same day. Information: (213) 740-9117.
* College of the Canyons
(805) 259-7800
The start of spring semester has been delayed until Monday. Campus will remain closed until then.
* Learning Tree University
(818) 882-5599
Some classes at the Chatsworth campus have resumed. Students should call the above number for information.
* Santa Monica College
(310) 450-5150 for taped information
The start of spring semester has been delayed until Feb. 21.
* University of Judaism
(310) 476-9777
Daytime academic classes resumed on Monday. Classes in the Department of Continuing Education will resume on Feb. 27.
Counseling
Among the groups providing counseling or referrals to counseling for earthquake victims:
* L.A. County Dept. of Mental Heath
(800) 854-7771 has been set up as a toll-free information and referral hot line for people who have been emotionally affected by the earthquake. In addition, county centers are offering free counseling to victims.
* Valley Hospital Medical Center
(800) 345-2747 is a line for earthquake victims, staffed 24 hours a day. Other services include referrals and counseling sessions.
* Northridge Hospital Medical Center
18300 Roscoe Blvd.
Northridge
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday
(818) 885-5348
* Glendale Adventist Medical Center
Offering a free support group at 6 p.m. on Mondays at the hospital located at 1509 Wilson Terrace, Glendale.
(818) 409-8008
* Family Service Agency of Burbank
Offering free counseling in English and Spanish.
2013 W. Magnolia Blvd.
Burbank
(818) 845-7671
* North Valley Family Counseling Center
Offering free counseling in English and Spanish.
670 San Fernando Mission Blvd.
Suite D
San Fernando
(818) 365-8588
* Temple Judea Community Outreach
Offering counseling for free or a small donation at the synagogue located at 5429 Lindley Ave., Tarzana.
(818) 780-4994
* Assistance League’s Family Service Agency
Offering free counseling in English, Spanish and Armenian.
5607 Fernwood Ave.
Hollywood
(213) 469-5893.
* Catholic Charities
For counseling and referrals; 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays.
(213) 251-3400
* Jewish Family Service of Greater Los Angeles
Providing crisis counseling or referrals on a non-sectarian basis.
(213) 852-7723
Insurance
These are special numbers for policyholders affected by the Jan 17 quake. Try to call your agent first.
* Aetna: (800) 238-6225
* Allstate: (800) 755-4126
Allstate is opening mobile catastrophe centers to serve quake victims. The centers are at 21040 Califa St. in Woodland Hills and 16800 Devonshire St. in Granada Hills.
* Automobile Club of Southern California: (800) 672-5246
* Chubb Group of Insurance Cos.: (800) 562-4822
* Cal-Vet Home Loans: (800) 221-8998
* Cigna Property & Casualty: (800) 421-2471
* Continental Insurance: (800) 677-6600
* Crusader Insurance Co.: (800) 669-9800
* Farmers Group of Insurance Companies: (800) 543-5736.
* Firemen’s Fund: (800) 548-HELP
* Home Insurance Group: (800) 366-6653
* ITT Hartford Insurance Group: (800) 243-5860
* Kemper National Insurance: (800) 833-0355
* Liberty Mutual Insurance Co.: (800) 500-7881, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and (800) 526-1547 after 4:30 weekdays and weekends.
* State Farm Insurance: (800) 732-5246
* Safeco Insurance Co. of America: (800) 452-7117
* T.I.G. (formerly Transamerica Insurance Group): (800) 241-2541
* 20th Century Insurance: (800) 443-3100
* USAA: (800) 531-8222
Child Care
Four San Fernando Valley YMCAs either are creating or already have day-care program for children not in school.
They are:
* East Valley YMCA, 5142 Tujunga Ave., North Hollywood; (818) 763-5126.
* Mid Valley YMCA, 6901 Lennox Ave., Van Nuys; (818) 989-3800.
* North Valley YMCA, 10925 Columbus Ave., Mission Hills; (818) 365-3231.
* West Valley Family YMCA, 18810 Vanowen St., Reseda; (818) 345-7391.
Courts
San Fernando Court, 900 3rd St.: The courthouse is closed for Superior Court matters. All felony cases have been transferred to the Van Nuys Courthouse, 14400 Erwin Street Mall. Municipal Court matters, with the exception of custody cases, are being heard at 919 1st St. Custody matters are being handled in Division 130 at the Van Nuys court. Information: (818) 365-5813.
Van Nuys Superior Court: Opening more courtrooms today; fifth through seventh floors remain closed.
Calabasas Municipal Court: Will remain closed. All matters will be handled at the Malibu Courthouse, 23525 Civic Center Way.
Newhall Municipal Court: Open for misdemeanor and felony criminal matters only. Traffic citation holders will automatically be given 30-day extensions.
Portable Toilets
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has portable toilets at the following locations:
* Chatsworth High School, 10027 Lurline Ave., Chatsworth
* Granada Hills High School, 10535 Zelzah Ave., Granada Hills
* Kennedy High School, 11254 Gothic Ave., Granada Hills
* Sylmar High School, 13050 Borden Ave., Sylmar
* Balboa Mission Town Hall, 16916 San Fernando Mission Blvd., Granada Hills
* Devonshire and Reseda Shopping Center in Northridge
* Glenoaks and Bledsoe Shopping Center in Sylmar
*
Compiled by Times staff members David Brady, Cecilia Rasmussen, John Schwada, Stephanie Stassel, Tracy Thomas and Nona Yates.
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For current freeway closures and alternate routes, press *8210.
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For earthquake safety tips, press *8250.
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