January 19, 2006 — The Tejano Center for Community Concerns in Houston is assisting 57 Hispanic families from New Orleans who were displaced by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The organization, part of the NeighborWorks® network of community development organizations, provides a full range of services including housing, food, clothing and bedding, school enrollment for children, language translation, and job search assistance.

“The biggest hurdle for the people we’re serving is getting employment,” said Manuel Lopez, deputy director of the Tejano Center. “What is impeding that is a lack of transportation and knowledge of the city. With the city of Houston being so large, and all these families spread out all over town, many away from bus routes, many are missing opportunities that could help them bounce back into society.”

Many of the families live in apartments lacking basic furniture such as beds. The donated air mattresses are deflating; many of the evacuees are sleeping on the floors with not enough blankets, sheets, or even pillows. A furniture bank is available through the city of Houston; however, once again, lack of transportation presents a major barrier. Families must go to the furniture bank and be interviewed by them before they will be given any piece of furniture. The furniture must be removed from the warehouse immediately after the interview and meeting.

Many of these families lack sufficient food because they are waiting for the state of Louisiana to close out food stamp cases so that the state of Texas can step in. “These families are going without food, or they’re eating food out of cans,” said Lopez. “Tejano Center is speaking directly to these families, finding out what they need. We are buying the food in emergency cases, and we’ll deliver it the same day to prevent a child from going hungry.”

Much of Tejano’s work is about making the evacuees feel at home. “Christmas time was very difficult for our families who had nothing for their children,” said Lopez. “Our staff collected toys, sorted them out, wrapped them up then drove all over Houston to deliver these gifts, only to find the apartments were empty of any furnishing or holiday cheer.”  

Tejano Center’s short-term goal is to take care of the evacuees immediate needs. In the long-term, the organization plans to assist the families who wish to stay in Houston—an estimated 65 percent of families they are serving—in finding permanent housing and employment. The organization is developing 80 apartments and houses for evacuees to rent or to purchase after going through a homebuyer education program.

Through a collaboration with the National Council of La Raza, NeighborWorks America is providing four AmeriCorps members to the Tejano Center. The AmeriCorps members will provide direct support to the families in facing language and cultural barriers to obtaining services and in applying for jobs.

About NeighborWorks America
NeighborWorks America provides financial support, technical assistance and training for communities across the nation, including the NeighborWorks network — a nationwide network of more than 240 community development organizations working in more than 4,000 urban, suburban and rural communities across America. These organizations engage in revitalization strategies that strengthen communities and transform lives. In the last five years alone, NeighborWorks organizations have generated more than $8.5 billion in reinvestment and helped more than 500,000 families of modest means purchase or improve their homes or secure safe, decent rental or mutual housing.