Helping meet the long-term needs of those displaced by Springfield townhouse explosion

SPRINGFIELD — A woman and her child came to the United States to find a better life, but Wednesday, they are still in a hospital fighting to survive after a gas leak caused an explosion at their home.

News Center 7′s Mike Campbell explains how this tragedy has put the spotlight on a growing immigrant community.

The devasting and now fatal fire in Springfield has left eight families and individuals without a home, many of them recent Haitian immigrants.

One agency in Springfield is working to help everyone left without a home.

“They’re here for a better life,” Casey Rollins said

>>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Woman dead after explosion at Springfield townhouse identified

Rollins is the Executive Director of Springfield’s chapter of St. Vincent de Paul. She said the horrible tragedy claimed the life of a 50-year-old Haitian woman whose sister and niece are still fighting for their lives. Additionally, it left seven other American and Haitian families without places to stay.

“We are very devastated by this tragedy. They’re here for a better life just for them, they want a better life for the community they are connecting with,” Rollins said.

The Red Cross is helping the temporarily homeless residents now. St. Vincent de Paul has started a fund drive to meet the long-term needs of those families.

>> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Child, 2 others flown to area hospitals after Springfield explosion

An estimated 7,000 Haitian people have made their way to Clark County and Springfield, and St. Vincent de Paul has been helping them for the last five years.

Rollins emphasized that Haitians are here legally, under temporary protected status. She believes they are easy to roof for and help with resources like pantry services.

“How do we help ourselves, they are not takers, they are givers and doers,” Rollins said.

>> PHOTOS: Drone images from Sky 7 show damage to townhouse after explosion in Springfield

St. Vincent de Paul employees and volunteers work almost every day helping Haitians adjust to their new homes and navigate the bureaucracy. Rollins said no one here ever asks for a handout, only a helping hand up.

“How can we get work permits, they never say we want food, or this or that, I just want to work, make a difference, take care of my family,” Rollins said.

Springfield firefighters are still working to determine the cause of the leak that led to the explosion and fire. Meanwhile, the surviving mother and her child are still being treated at the hospital for their critical injuries.

If you are interested in helping all the residents who were victims of the fire and explosion, St. Vincent de Paul is accepting financial contributions in Springfield. If helping by check, write St. Vincent de Paul Springfield in the recipient line and disaster relief in the memo line.

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