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Brigantine man, displaced by Sandy, helps others cope with storm's effects

Barbara Errickson

Brigantine man, displaced by Sandy, helps others cope with storm's effects

Crisis counselor, Frank Lepore II, 30, of Brigantine, listened to Paul Wilson, 30, of Ventnor, during a session recenty at the Ventnor Community Center. His role, Lepore said, is to ‘listen to what he had to say and then point him in the right direction.’

Barbara Errickson

Brigantine man, displaced by Sandy, helps others cope with storm's effects

Crisis counselors Mike Sees, 31, of Wildwood Crest, Frank Lepore II, 30, of Brigantine, and Karly King, 34, of Absecon, spoke with Eve Rose, 66, of Ventnor, at the Ventnor Community Center. From the Mental Health Association, the counselors are working with the FEMA grant program New Jersey Hope and Healing to assist storm victims ‘manage the emotional consequences of storms and flooding.’ Lepore was displaced by Hurricane Sandy.

Barbara Errickson

Brigantine man, displaced by Sandy, helps others cope with storm's effects

Lepore, left, helped Paul Wilson, 30, of Ventnor, carry supplies to his car. As part of the Hooked on Ventnor program, free toiletries, cleaning supplies, paper goods and clothing are available to victims of Hurricane Sandy at the Ventnor Community Center at 6500 Atlantic Ave in Ventnor. Counseling services are also available through New Jersey Hope and Healing, the FEMA sponsored program to help victims of storms and flooding.

Barbara Errickson

Brigantine man, displaced by Sandy, helps others cope with storm's effects

With crates of donated supplies all around them, Frank Lepore II, 30, of Brigantine, took a moment to play with Dominic Sausto, 2, of Ventnor at the Ventnor Community Center at 6500 Atlantic Ave in Ventnor on Friday. Lepore was a crisis counselor with Mental Health Association working with the FEMA grant program New Jersey Hope and Healing. Sausto is the grandson of volunteer Grace Olivio, 62, of Ventnor.