Back to most recent news releases • Browse archive: 2005 • 2006 • 2007 • 2008 • Email this story

CWS Hurricane Katrina Response -- Part I: Touching Lives -- Assisting Faith-Community in Texas

DRRL Martinez lending a hand at the San Antonio Food Bank warehouse where thousands of CWS Blankets, School and Health Kits were sent. From here, relief items are trucked all over the state to assist hurricane-affected families. Photo: CWS

September 23, 2005

With the influx of displaced persons from Hurricane Katrina, the faith-community of eastern Texas has had its hands full in administering care and planning for the massive relocation of families from the Mississippi/Louisiana Gulf Coast. CWS Disaster Response and Recovery Liaison (DRRL) Heriberto Martinez has served as a valuable resource in helping design long-term recovery plans, channeling needed material resources, and providing a pastoral presence at shelters in the Houston, Austin, and San Antonio areas where thousands of displaced families are being assisted.

As of September 21, CWS has sent more than $1 million worth of material assistance to seven states serving people affected by Hurricane Katrina. Martinez's efforts also bridge the work of city, state, and local governments and programs of faith-based and community service organizations to collectively address the long-term needs of relocated families.

"Churches and communities are pooling their resources to help families get set up in new homes and settle into new neighborhoods," Martinez said. "The goal is to make families feel comfortable and at home, help children make new friends, help adults get jobs, and encourage and inspire everyone to feel good about starting anew."

Media Contact:
Lesley Crosson, CWS/New York, 212-870-2676;
Jan Dragin, 781-925-1526;

Back to most recent news releases • Browse archive: 2005 • 2006 • 2007 • 2008 • Email this story