Helping Katrina’s Refugees: From the PK McCary in Houston
September 7th, 2005
Information and requests for assistance with handling refugees from southern Louisiana now sheltered in Houston. From URI Trustee PK McCary.
Please forward. Yesterday we had a meeting with Congressperson Al Green.. We were very dissatisfied with his responses about FEMA stating that he no “codified” rules for those churches and organizations that are already doing the work. More than fifty churches in underserved areas in SE, SW and North Houston are pulling more than their load. But, it is a strain on lights, gas, food, etc. Food is being supplied to the Astrodome, Reliant Energy and George R. Brown. We are dissiminating information to those victims, but we are going a step further in getting those individuals with skills as teachers, social workers, counselors, construction workers, volunteers to help with the devastation aspect of getting people to the right place, going in and making sure that those who are waiting in long lines are in the right lines, that they have the correct information, updating it as we get it. The following organizations are working non-stop in making sure people are getting WHAT THEY NEED.
Now, regarding resources to us, I realize that there are items to be shipped, but no convoys available except as they relate to those networks that are already working together (i.e., Feed the Children works with Joel Osteen at Lakewood … a very good resource in fact), but the problem is the trickle down effect. We are not getting it to those areas which are predominantly black and who are depleting their resources.
My church is a diverse group of people from all ethnicities and we work with EVERYONE. We work with Red Cross, FEMA, the ELCA, etc. and are willing to be a distribution point. We just had a offer of 2,000 shoes and we will take them and get volunteeers to help sort and distribute. We have people (volunteers), we have space, we have the system in place, but we need to get resources coming in order to start getting them to the people in need.
We need to all work together, but the truth is that it isn’t always happening. The following groups are willing to work together and they are willing to make sure that resources are shared. I understand that some areas are more isolated than others and we take that into account.
Lamb of God Lutheran Church
7800 W. Bellfort
Houston, Texas 77071
(713) 771-8176
Rev. James Berggren
contact: PK Mc Cary
perrimac@sbcglobal.net or Pastor Jim Berggren berggy@wt.net
They are taking money and resources. Mark donations: Katrina Disaster
First United Methodist Church
2314 N. Grand
Pearland, TX 77581
(281) 485-1466
Dr. Pennington, Pastor
Laurie Saia, Coordinator (Lsaia@fumcpearland.org)
Housing people, need resources and money (Mark donation: Katrina Disaster
New Faith Baptist Church
4315 W. Fuqua
Houston, TX 77045
(713) 434-4000
lbarnett@newfaithchurch.org (Coordinator) L. Barnett, Ass’t. Minister
All resources needed. They are raising money and have not asked for any from outside. They are distributing to other groups and organizations.
SHAPE Community Center
3815 Live Oak
Houston, TX 7004
(713) 521-0641
DeLloyd Parker (30 plus year old organization) grassroots, helping with housing, resources, information (3 locations), delloyd@shape.org
These four organizations are distributing and networking with many other organizations. We are putting together a list of these resources as well. Will be happy to send out what we’re sending out in pdf files if people want them.
If you have any questions, call. We’re on our way out and I’m not always available via email except where I can find it. Blessings and Peace. We thank you for your help. P.K.
P K and Company
PO Box 450712
Houston, TX 770245-0712
http://www.pkandcompany.com/
Author of “What Matters to the Heart”
“God Bless the Whole World! No Exceptions.”