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Dear Friends: Every day now we see more and more devastation from Hurricane Katrina.
The photos and stories are horrifying. In addition to the sheer
destruction caused by the hurricane, we are graphically reminded of the
toll on human beings, especially the devastation brought on by the
widening race and class divide in our society. As I have spoken to
numerous people in the local and national GLBT community over the past
several days, the question I am asked over and over again is – what can
we do to help?
We hope that you will help out in any way that you see fit and in any
way that you are able, but here are some GLBT community-specific ideas:
- Rainbow
World Fund has set up a fund to help the survivors of Hurricane
Katrina. Donations made through this fund will go to America’s
Second Harvest – the national food bank network. Donations will be
used to provide meals and groceries, to transport food to survivors
and to secure additional warehouse space to assist food banks in
resuming and maintaining operations. 100% of the funds you donate
will go toward helping survivors recover.
- I received an e-mail from the Director of the John
Thomas GLBT Community Center in Dallas, TX, Paul Scott. Here is
Paul’s message:
"We have been slammed for two days with issues related to
evacuees that have come to Dallas. Our members are offering their
homes and bedrooms to GLBT individuals and families…We have also
secured 50 [temporary] apartment units for GLBT persons or HIV
positive individuals... More critical for us is addressing the needs
of the HIV positive refugees…so we can get them into Ryan White
services immediately."
"On Monday, we really did not have this on our radar until the
levees broke. That is when we knew that people could not return to
New Orleans and would need support. …many Dallas agencies are facing
an increased client load and additional financial expenditures. So,
the impact is also in cities and communities taking in the GLBT
community. We are expecting even more evacuees from Houston as they
are unable to handle all of them."
I am sure that in the days to come, we will hear from other GLBT and
AIDS Service Providers in the gulf coast region who are in need of help.
We will keep you updated as best we can.
Please have a safe and restful Labor Day weekend.
Ann M. DeGroot,
Executive Director |
