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Fort Worth’s Newest Residents Take First Steps towards Recovery
Red Cross Financial Assistance Helps Build that Bridge
Written by
Laura Thomas with reporting by Ann Genett-Schrader and Libby Swan
Friday, September 16, 2005 — While their journey to Texas was filled with harrowing days at the New Orleans Superdome, long rides on buses and lost contacts with family and friends, many evacuees have found shelter with the American Red Cross in Fort Worth, Texas.
While it may not be home, it is a new beginning and the start of a return to normalcy.
One of the first orders of business for hurricane survivors was signing up for emergency assistance through venues such as the Red Cross financial assistance line. While the number reportedly is overwhelmed with callers, evacuees are reporting that they’re getting through and getting help.
Betty Coleman, 36, of New Orleans is a resident at the Resource Connection shelter along with her mother, sister and two nephews. The family spent several days at the Superdome before arriving in Fort Worth.
Coleman, along with her family, connected with the Red Cross financial assistance line, and after waiting for several hours, they were set up for assistance on Monday. Coleman has asthma, and says the Red Cross has given her the additional assistance she requires.
“They have been treating me very well,” she said.
On Tuesday, the family had its relief checks in hand and was planning its next move. The children are enrolled in Fort Worth schools.
“I am not going back to New Orleans,” Coleman, a housekeeper, declared emphatically. “I am staying in Fort Worth.”
Curtis Acker, 53, his wife, Siena, and his father, Matthew Acker Sr., also were able to get through on the toll-free number Tuesday and were scheduled to receive funds Wednesday.
Acker acknowledged that the waiting time was lengthy, but “the process went well,” and he is glad the Red Cross is able to provide the assistance.
Acker and his family sought refuge from the storm in the Hyatt Regency in New Orleans. After three days in the hotel without water or electricity, they were happy to come to Texas.
“Texas people are great,” he said. “We couldn’t have done it without y’all.”
Acker and his family intend to return to New Orleans and rebuild their lives.
Charles L. Jones, 57, of New Orleans has been living in the Resource Connection shelter for a week. He obtained his relief funds Monday for both he and his wife, who is staying at a Dallas shelter. Jones and his wife hope to be reunited in Dallas shortly.
Jones, a Vietnam veteran and baker by trade, floated away from his midtown second-story apartment on a door until he and some friends found a boat. Then he said, without any self-pity, “I stayed under I-10 for three days sleeping on cardboard boxes and abandoned cars.”
His odyssey from Jefferson Parish to Fort Worth took him through several stops.
“It was amazing – everywhere we went, the Red Cross was there,” Jones said. “People have been so kind, this shelter is very comfortable, and we have been treated very well.”
Feelings are similar at the Worth Heights shelter in Fort Worth. Families are ready to get their lives back and start over after losing everything. It was at Worth Heights that residents first came up with the idea of passing the telephone around to others once someone got through to the financial assistance line. This allowed more evacuees to connect with Red Cross assistance much quicker.
Jerome and Raynelle Smith are residents at Worth Heights along with their two children. They are planning on making Fort Worth their new home.
Smith worked for Northrup Grumman and has already contacted Lockheed Martin about employment. He received financial assistance from the Red Cross and has a plan for how to provide for his family. He spoke highly of the Red Cross ‘angels’ who work in the shelter and he promised to never forget them.
Laura Thomas works for the Chisholm Trail Chapter of the American Red Cross in Fort Worth, Texas.
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the Midwest ice storms, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.
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