Network News |
Hurricane Katrina Update September 7 2005
August 30, 2005
Please check for periodic updates. Hurricane_Update_090705.pdf (87k file)
1 September 2005 Update - In response to inquiries, I would like to give an update. Sr. Jamie Phelps is staying with family in Chicago. Raymond Jasper spoke with Tommy Glasscock and he is well in Lafayette. Raymond Jasper, Onita Triplett and Dawn Campbell in Houma have been reaching out to refugees who are being housed at the Houma civic center. Houma was damaged in the initial storm but has not sustained the level of destruction from the flooding as New Orleans has. Many of the people airlifted from New Orleans are bring taken to Houma. For those living with HIV, there are additional challenges which Raymond, Onita and Dawn are helping to address. Raymond is looking into volunteering for the Red Cross.
2 September 2005 Update - Several members of the Network that provide housing for people living with HIV/AIDS have offered to provide housing for people who have been displaced by the Hurricane who are also living with HIV/AIDS. Please contact me at dlunney@ncan.org if you have housing needs.
5 September 2005 - Labor Day Update - Raymond called last evening. He apologized for calling me again. I assured him that he can call anytime. We actually spoke twice yesterday. In the morning he was arriving in Baton Rouge to volunteer for the Red Cross at a shelter. By the end of the day he was being restationed to the Astrodome in Houston. I am amazed at the resilience that Raymond is showing and I am very proud of him and the many like him who are rising to the ocassion to help those in need. Raymond shared with me that Stephen Lee and his family are in Houston. They have lost everything.
In two weeks, the Conference Planning Team will gather in Chicago to begin the planning for the conference next year. Both Raymond and Stephen are planning on attending.
Loyola University Chicago is welcoming students from Loyola University New Orleans and Tulane University. At last report, they are expecting 300 students today to register. Fr. Michael Garanzini, President of Loyola University has issued a call for people to open their homes to the displaced students.
6 September 2005 – Update from Jennifer Carr – Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston - "Keep us all in your prayers. You may want to do an updated prayer request for the network. As you know from news reports, there are currently approx. 200,000 evacuees in Houston and we are serving them as best we can. At Catholic Charities this weekend we had thousands at our doors and were only able to help 700 families this weekend because we ran out of money, staff, and all supplies in the building. The shelters are overwhelmed with illness and have quarantined areas for people suffering from cholera, dysentery, and several other highly contagious illnesses. For those parishes and agencies providing relief who also have active AIDS service programs, it is very important to keep the clients affected by Katrina separate from the HIV positive clients of the agency. We have been doing the best we can down here, but please keep us in your thoughts and prayers, it is very difficult work."
7 September 2005 - Update from Onita Triplett - Houma, LA - "Thank you for your prayers and concern. I suffered structual damage to my home and I'm now waiting for a visit from FEMA. My mother and father suffered roof damage and will be staying with me until electricity is restored to their area. She's on the west bank side of the river from New Orleans. Unfortunately I am temporarily laid off until the executive director finds out the situation with funding. In the meantime, I am looking for other employment opportunities. I would love to stay in the field of HIV but may have to do something different. No fear, I will continue my ministry in HIV because it is something I truly believe in. Let us continue to pray for all those affected by Hurricane Katrina, those who are bereaved, displaced and trying to pick up the pieces of their lives. God bless you and all the members of the NCAN network."
Home | History | Programs | Resources