WASHINGTON-NCUA Chairman JoAnn Johnson and other governmentofficials joined Operation HOPE for a press conference aimed atrallying volunteers to provide counseling to victims of HurricaneKatrina. Project Restore HOPE, led by Operation Hope, Inc. Founderand Chairman John Bryant, will focus on volunteer emergencypreparedness, response and guidance to individuals and smallbusinesses affected by the recent hurricane disasters. The pressconference took place at the Federal Emergency Management Agencyand included officials from a number of Federal government offices,including the White House. “NCUA is extremely pleased to partnerwith FEMA and Operation Hope on this initiative to assist thosedisplaced by Hurricane Katrina,” Johnson said. “The credit unioncommunity has responded with great compassion. I encourage thatspirit to continue through this effort to providing financialcounseling and support for those who are in great need of economicempowerment more than ever.” HOPE Coalition America will use itsgeneral corps of volunteers for outreach and is interested ingetting professional volunteers from banks and credit unions tohelp with emergency economic counseling, emergency budgetcounseling, and economic triage counseling provided through HCA andits partners. HCA is looking for 5,000 volunteers and NCUA isencouraging its staff and credit unions to pitch in. ProjectRestore HOPE will be comprised of several moving parts, such ascall center volunteers, FEMA Disaster Recovery Center/HCA fieldoffice volunteers, street team volunteers, and virtual help-centervolunteers. For more information on volunteer opportunities withProject Restore Hope visit www.operationhope.org. Hurricane Katrinavictims seeking help with finances should call (888) 388-HOPE(4673).