and others.I am familiar with some of these from the time that I spent in the Houston area.
mom cat
Grassroots/Low-income/People of Color-led
Hurricane Katrina Relief
http://katrina.mayfirst.org/ updated: Mon. Sept. 13, 2005, 3:30pm ... this list is growing as communities regroup -- please keep checking back!
Where to donate to organizations who are:
Organizing at the grassroots level in New Orleans, Biloxi, Houston and other affected areas
Providing immediate disaster relief to poor people and people of color
Directed by, or accountable to, poor people and people of color
Fostering the democratic inclusion of poor people and people of color in the rebuilding process.
More info:
Why it's important to support local, grassroots relief efforts.
Reasons to give to local groups instead of just to the Red Cross.
A note about Katrina-related fraud.
Info about this list & how to add a listing.
WHAT THEY'RE DOING NAME BLURB HOW TO HELP
Local relief efforts Common Ground Common Ground is a community-run organization offering temporary assistance and mutual aid to the citizens of New Orleans and the surrounding areas. Common Ground's team includes doctors, lawyers, aid workers, community organizers, and volunteers of all stripes and creeds. Medics and doctors needed for the free clinic in Algiers. Basic supplies and monetay donations also needed. Please see the website for more info on how you can help.
Local relief efforts Rebuild Green There will be a struggle over how to rebuild our devastated city. There will be powerful corporate and government forces trying to control the rebuilding without popular participation. And there will be community-based organizations struggling to ensure that social justice and environmental sustainability take a prominent place on the rebuilding agenda. Help us make sure our community needs for livable, sustainable neighborhoods take precedence over corporate greed. The most immediate need is funding. You can contribute by making on-line donations (through our non-profit sponsor Global Exchange) or sending checks to GLOBAL EXCHANGE/REBUILD GREEN, Global Exchange - Katrina Assistance, 2017 Mission St. #303, San Francisco, CA 94110. Global Exchange is a 501c3 organization, and your donations are fully tax-deductible. You can contact us at 415-310-9783.
Community led relief effort (S.O.S.) Saving Our Selves Efforts focused on poor and black communities in the gulf coast by providing food, water, clothing and shelter( long-term and short- term). Currently our efforts are completely led, organized, financed and supported by grassroots organizers and people from our community. Contact LaTosha Brown, S.O.S. Lead Coordinator, at 404-664-7588, 404-879-9944 or at brown1133 at bellsouth.net
Direct services to evacuees The Montrose Clinic They are providing rapid HIV testing to quickly determine eligibility for programs, as well as providing housing and other essential services, particularly for the LGBT population facing harassment in the shelters. Donations can be sent to Montrose Clinic, Attn. Sonna Alton, P.O. Box 66308, Houston, TX 77266. You can also donate on line to the Montrose Clinic at their website
multi-racial association of member-run, member-based organizations Southern Empowerment Project SEP stands with the oppressed challenging racism and social injustice. SEP recruits and trains community leaders to become organizers to assist organizations in the South and Appalachia to solve community problems. They have an awesome website with lots of information on local groups. They are encouraging donations to their many member-based organizations, but I.m sure they could use some support of their own efforts. Checks can be sent to: Southern Empowerment Project, 343 Ellis Avenue, Maryville, Tennessee 37804
Local groups needing help Moore Community House/Mississippi Low Income Childcare Coalition Located in the heart of the east Biloxi peninsula between the Gulf of Mexico and the Biloxi Bay, Moore Community House was also home to the Mississippi Low Income Child Care Initiative and the Gulf Coast Child Care Resource and Referral Agency. Moore Community House.s neighborhood is made up of poor and low-income families who will need assistance as they begin to put their lives back together Donations can be sent to: Moore Community House, c/o Children.s Defense Fund, P.O. Box 11437, Jackson, MS 39236-1437
Feeding the people left homeless by katrina Food not Bombs Food Not Bombs is working with local efforts to feed people in and around New Orleans and other areas forgotten by FEMA and the Red Cross. We plan to help out for the next 6 months to a year. The Houston Kitchen can be called at 713-802-9642 The Baton Rouge Kitchen can be called at 713-802-9642
Will house, feed, and provide emotional, logistical and practical support to more than 100 displaced young leaders, their families and others fleeing New Orleans 21st Century Youth Leadership Movement (21C) 21st Century Youth Leadership Movement is an organization that carries on the legacy of the civil rights movement in modern-day Selma, AL. Their mission is to inspire, assist, organize and develop, young people of all ages, in and out of school, to be skilled community focused leaders, resiliently and creatively empowering themselves and their communities to affect positive change. This organization was already strained financially before Katrina. Now, the need for support from a larger community of donors is imminent, as they seek to raise approximately $50,000 to enable their relief efforts. That¹s why we are committing to support them, and that¹s why YES! has established a special 21C Katrina Relief Fund to help our brothers and sisters in the South to survive, organize, and come together through this time.
Case Management Baitul Salaam Network, Inc. We work directly with victims to make sure they understand what they are getting how to keep it and provide counseling. Baitul Salaam Network, Inc.
PO Box 11041
404-366-6610
email: haleem1@aol.com
Hadayai Majeed, Administrator
Funding and training for developmentally disabled people PHP Charities We are the charitable funding arm of Progressive Healthcare Providers, a 501 c(3) non-profit organization that serves the developmentally disabled in 3 southeastern states. Our homes in New Orleans have been severely impacted by the flooding with 20 of our 26 homes there underwater. All of our people in New Orleans had been evacuated to Baton Rouge before the storm but just about everyone has lost virtually all of their clothes and personal possessions. It will be months before their lives will even begin returning to normal but they need help now. If you want to help, please make a contribution by check made payable to "PHP Charities" and send it as soon as possible. Checks should be mailed to: PHP Charities, 325 Elmira Place, NE Atlanta, GA 30307. The phone number is (404) 525-7301.
Funding and support for local community organizations The Southern Partners Fund (SPF) Established the SPF Justice Fund for Katrina Relief and Renewal, aimed at providing short term relief, mid-term assistance, and long term support for community renewal. A major part of the fund's strategy will be to provide baseline support to grassroots community organizations located in affected areas of LA and MS to enable them to regain operational capacity, believing they are most qualified to address the needs of their communities. CONTACT: Joan Garner
1237 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd SW
Atlanta GA 30310
404-758-1983 x 24
joan@spfund.org
Providing shelter and assistance Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church See their site for details on what services they are offering. Call Deacon Hulon Lester, 713-503-6204, Deaconness Charlotte Bryan, 713-826-1056, to volunteer
Collecting Donations The Shrine of the Black Madonna Cultural Center and Bookstore The Shrines of the Black Madonna of the Pan African Orthodox Christian Church (PAOCC) has opened its doors to many of our displaced brothers and sisters. Through Operation Safe Harbor, the PAOCC and the Founders Vision Community Development Corporation are providing housing, meals, social service direction and ministerial counseling to our guests.
Because most of these displaced individuals and their families have come with little more than the clothes on their backs, their need far exceeds our capacity to provide them with all the assistance required. Providing meals alone costs roughly $1,500 per day ($10 per person/150 persons). Thus, our church is asking you or your organization/church/community center to assist as able. Donations of money, clothing, food, hygiene and medical supplies can be dropped off at the following PAOCC sites:
Shrine of the Black Madonna #10
Cultural Center and Bookstore
5309 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd
Houston, TX 77021
Phone: 713-645-1071
Sunday: 1:45 PM - 3:30 PM
Monday-Saturday: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Please go to their site for more locations and details on specific needs.
Local grassroots relief, rebuilding, and networking Community Labor United (CLU), a coalition of the progressive organizations throughout New Orleans, has brought community members together for eight years to discuss socio-economic issues. We have been communicating with people from The Quality Education as a Civil Right Campaign, the Algebra Project, the Young People.s Project and the Louisiana Research Institute for Community Empowerment. We are calling for all New Orleanians remaining in the city to be evacuated immediately.
We are calling for information about where every evacuee was taken. We are calling for black and progressive leadership to come together to meet in Baton Rouge to initiate the formation of a Community Oversight Committee of evacuees from all the sites. This committee will demand to oversee FEMA, the Red Cross and other organizations collecting resources on behalf of our people.
We are calling for volunteers to enter the shelters where our people are and to assist parents with housing, food, water, health care and access to aid.
We are calling for teachers and educators to carve out some time to come to evacuation sites and teach our children." We are calling for city schools and universities near evacuation sites to open their doors for our children to go to school.
We are calling for health care workers and mental health workers to come to evacuation sites to volunteer.
We are calling for lawyers to investigate the wrongful death of those who died, to protect the land of the displaced, to investigate whether the levies broke due to natural and other related matters.
We are calling for evacuees from our community to actively participate in the rebuilding of New Orleans.
We are calling for the addresses of all the relevant list serves and press contacts to send our information.
We are in the process of setting up a central command post in Jackson, MS, where we will have phone lines, fax, email and a web page to centralize information. We will need volunteers to staff this office.
We have set up a People's Hurricane Fund that will be directed and administered by New Orleanian evacuees. Donations can be MADE OUT TO VANGUARD PUBLIC FOUNDATION AND EARMARKED FOR:
The People's Hurricane Fund
c/o Vanguard Public Foundation
383 Rhode Island St., #301
San Francisco, CA 94103
If you have comments of how to proceed or need more information, please email them to Curtis Muhammad (muhammadcurtis@bellsouth.net) and Becky Belcore (bbelcore@hotmail.com).
Direct assistance to families with disabilities Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities
5 Old River Place, Suite 101
Jackson, MS 39202
(601) 969-0601 (V/TTY) 800-721-7255
(601) 709-0250
www.mscoaliton.com The Coalition has been identifying families who have members with disabilities and chronic health issues. We have found 11 families home in the last two days. We have driven these family member to see the homes and work with them on transportation issues. We also are helping to file Property and medical insurance, if applicable. Filing of FEMA,food stamp, Medicaid, welfare and any benefits that they are qualified for.
We have provided or referred individuals for counseling, prescription refills, house hold items and assistive technology. For information on the Coalition, check our web-site and our friends:
nlambright@msaclu.org - Ms Lambright, President Mississippi ACLU
Bob@latkids.org - LIFE Share- Bob Chrisler
hn0137@earthlink.net - Rims Barber, MS Human Services Coalition
donna.gunn@catholiccharitie - Sister Donna
pposey8803@aol.com - Presley Posey, Chairperson Statewide Independent Living Council
namimiss1@aol.com - Teri Brister, NAMI Regional Consultant
dmiller@mscenterforjustice.org - David Miller, Attorney MS Center for Justice
jamescdickson@earthlink.net - James Dickson, American Association for People with Disabilities, Washington, D.C.
pam@mstla.com - Pam Johnson, Mississippi Trial Lawyers Association
pdenker@familiesusa.org - Peggy Decker, Families USA, Washington, D.C.
Local relief fund Mississippi Workers' Center for Human Rights The Mississippi Workers' Center for Human Rights is a worker advocacy organization that sees as its mission, providing organizing support, legal representation and training for low-wage, non-union workers in the state of Mississippi. Relief Fund for Hurricane Katrina Victims
This is a separate fund which will be used only for the purpose of providing relief to hurricane victims. Checks should be made payable to:
Southern Relief Fund
c/o Mississippi Workers' Center for Human Rights
PO Box 1223
Greenville, MS 38702-1223
For more information, call the Center at 662-334-1122 or 888-949-9754.
POC-led organizing that includes direct support and communication with prisoners and family members in New Orleans Critical Resistance Critical Resistance is a national organization working to end the reliance on prisons and policing. We have three offices -- one of which was in New Orleans. Our Southern Regional office -- now destroyed -- in New Orleans' Mid City neighborhood became Critical Resistance's hub for the entire South, along with a center for organizing around imprisonment and police brutality in New Orleans itself. Critical Resistance members are working on a coordinated response that includes direct support and communication with prisoners and family members in New Orleans, supporting the Treme community, strategizing around rebuilding and reuniting neighborhoods, and media work, along with working to rebuild our Southern Regional hub in New Orleans. There are many ways to help. Here are a few:
1) Please help support the rebuilding of our Southern Regional office and organizing in New Orleans through our website. You can also write a check made out to 'Critical Resistance/Justice Now', and mail it to 1904 Franklin Street, Suite 504, Oakland, CA 94612. Please write 'New Orleans' in the memo.
2) Critical Resistance members across the country are working on a coordinated response. If you want to get involved in a chapter near you -- there are 11 in the United States -- please visit here to get in touch.
3) Do you have computers, printers, a copier, file cabinets, or other office supplies? Please call us at 510-444-0484, or email crnational@criticalresistance.org to talk about getting those to us. We also need frequent flier miles for our work.
4) Organize a house party to raise funds to help rebuild our Southern office and fuel our organizing in New Orleans. You can also call us at 510-444-0484 or email crnational@criticalresistance.org for materials and ideas.
Online resource providing a place for survivors and their families to come to search for and communicate with each other www.hurricanekatrinasurvivors.com Our goal? Provide a place for folks to get in touch with their loved ones and friends and a central resource for assistance during this time of great tragedy and destruction. We are trying to obtain more information of shelters people are in and the names of the people inthose shelters, in order to more effectively help people reconnect with one another.
Direct assistance to evacuees LATINA MAMI We are a grassroots organization of Latina mothers who are working to better our lives and the lives of our sisters and ALL women of color. Our focus is on peer-support, rather than dependency on outside professionals. Although our target population is Latinas, we don't turn anyone in need away, Our 'Mami Closet' has baby equipment, children's clothing and toys and maternity clothes for mothers of all ethnicities. We are currently bundling items from our closet for evacuees and their families who have made it to Texas. We are also assisting English and Spanish speaking families from New Orleans who have kids with special needs or disabilities and need to navigate our local systems. If you are interested in contributing a donation toward Latina Mami, please make checks payable to our fiscal agent, Austin Community Foundation (note 'Latina Mami' in the memo section), and mail to PO Box 140674, Austin, TX, 78714.
You may also donate online at www.austincommunityfoundation.org. Go to 'Make a Donation' tab on left > 'Donate Online' > scroll to bottom 'Donate to a Specific Fund'. You can type in 'Latina Mami' and make your donation securely with a credit card. **Please email us at info@latinamami.org to let us know that you have made a donation online!
Clothing/Kids. Equipment Donations can be made at our physical address: 5812 Berkman Drive, Austin, TX 78723.
POC-led assistance to rural farmers & agricultural workers Federation of Southern Land Cooperatives "Federation of Southern Cooperatives Land Assistance Fund which operates in a number of southeastern states including Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama working primarily with African American rural communities including farmers and fishworkers."
"We now have farmers who have lost all their crops and markets. Many have lost houses and means of livelihood. We are also expecting some 300 refugees seeking housing, food and water throughout the region."
www.federationsoutherncoop.com
POC-led direct assistance & placement for evacuees St. Mary Community Action Association "This organization has become the primary focal point for all evacuee and homeless families in St. Mary’s Parish. They have been helping approximately 1,200 families, over 3,200 adults and children. As families come in to the SMCAA, their placement is coordinated into 11 different shelters, and provide food/clothing vouchers. They are also providing hundreds of hot meals each day, providing day care and helping families find permanent housing. Working with the St Mary Parish Police and Sheriff Departments to help families get the vehicles up and running again. SMCAA buys the parts, batteries and belts, and the motor pool shop for the Police and Sheriff does the repairs. As of this (9/6/05) Almetra Franklin said they have not seen anyone from FEMA or the Red Cross They are doing this all on their own and could really use your help."
"checks payable to:
St. Mary CAA Disaster Relief Fund
Attn: Almetra Franklin
1407 Barrow Street
Franklin, LA. 70538"
Direct assistance - ongoing supply convoys, transporting evacuees Plenty International "Plenty Int... has sent a large deisel bus down to the devastated area in MS and LA. They have connected with the Vets for Peace at Camp Casey in Covington and went across Lake Ponchartrain into New Orleans and brought people out from the airport and took them wherever they wanted to go. The bus came back and got another load of supplies and another crew. They got back to Covington this morning and after unloading the supplies, they headed into New Orleans to get people out so they could be free from the system that treats people like cattle to haul around willynilly."
"We are especially targeting the people who inevitably are falling through the cracks of the larger scale relief efforts being mounted by such agencies as the National Guard, FEMA and Red Cross."
"
http://plenty.org/donate.htmlYou may also send a check to Plenty, Box 394, Summertown, TN 38483
Contact Plenty through email with any questions or ideas:plenty@plenty.org. All donations to Plenty are tax-deductible. Thank you so very much."
Maintaining legal services for low-income people with pending cases The Justice Center, New Orleans
Not-For-Profit, Indigent Defenders "The Justice Center has served the Louisianas indigent community for over a decade. It houses 4 not-for-profit criminal justice organizations, 3 of which are attempting to set up temporary shop in Houston, Texas <snip>
Many of our clients have trial dates and post-conviction filing deadlines pending and we must be able to resume work as quickly as possible in order to protect their interests. In addition, our staff, who have dedicated themselves to serving the indigent community for many years, now find themselves in need of assistance."
"Donate online: www.thejusticecenter.org/ lcac/donations.html In order to set up a temporary office we need the following:
- Office space <snip>
- A new server<snip>
- Remote server hosting<snip>
- Computers<snip>
- 3 laser printers;
- A copier machine;
- Desks and chairs<snip>
- Office supplies<snip>
- Phone and fax lines and an internet connection and networking
...A... new server ... will end up costing about $9,000 and has been put on a credit card. We would also be grateful to receive assistance for our staff who are now homeless and have lost their possessions"
Shelter for evacuees Shrine of the Black Madonna "Shrine of the Black Madonna is also sheltering people in Houston Texas.
They have around 100 people."
Website: www.blessingsoffaith.org/events.htm
Direct assistance to low-income families facing the death penalty Reprieve "Billy Sothern is an attorney who lives in New Orleans and represents indigent people facing the death penalty. <snip>
Reprieve will seek to:
- locate the families of those incarcerated or recently exonerated as a result of capital charges;
- assist families in accessing available relief funds and services by providing advice and advocacy;
- <snip> provide immediate relief and assistance to target families in relocating and establishing themselves in a safe and stable environment until other relief funds become available." "tax deductible donations can be made online through his non-profit organization, Reprieve: www.reprieve.org/donate.htm"
LGBT/Youth community assistance National Youth Advocacy Coaition/ Center for Lesbian Rights "In partnership with many organizations around the country, NYAC and their partners, including NCLR, have launched the “Hurricane Katrina LGBT Relief Fund” to ensure that LGBT youth and families, among the most vulnerable members of our community, receive the critical support they need to regain stability in their lives." Donate online:
www.nyacyouth.org/
Direct assistance at evacuee center ? "Jim Brockton (?) from Houston... is
at the Houston stadium, needs mesh bags, sanitizing bleach, laundry soap, large-type rolling containers for laundry." "Please call 832-667-3661"
Grantmaking for rebuilding schools Acadiana Public School Endowment "APSE has utilized its existing resources to aid schools hit hardest by Hurricane Katrina, and to help offset costs of schools absorbing refugees. <snip>The AEE was founded in 1989 and has distributed over $200,000 to public education in Louisiana" "Donations for schools affected by the hurricane are accepted at www.APSE.us. APSE and its affiliate and founding entity, the Acadiana Educational Endowment are 501(c)3 non-profit organizations. "
Local grantmakers supporting relief and rebuilding Area & community foundations (Gulf Coast, Baton Rouge, NOLA) "according to the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation, there are some progressive groups in the gulf region hit by the hurricane who have relief funds. You might consider donating to these to more ensure that the relief funds are spent with progressive values and low-income people in mind." "Gulf Coast Community Foundation in Biloxi, MS ... www.networkforgood.org. type in Gulf Coast Community Foundation and Mississippi."
Greater New Orleans Foundation: www.gnof.org ... click on Hurricane Katrina Recovery Fund."
Baton Rouge Area Foundation:
The Hurricane Katrina Displaced Residents Fund - will benefit those individuals evacuated to Baton Rouge // The Hurricane Katrina New Orleans Recovery Fund - will focus on the rebuilding of infrastructure... www.braf.org or
Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund
402 N. 4th Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70802"
Regional CBO assistance to evacuees Southern Mutual Help Association "Southern Mutual Help Association in New Iberia, LA has an urgent call out to any organizations and donors that can assist them with helping the survivors of Hurricane Katrina. SMHA has a solid track record of working with rural people and communities in Southern LA." "Please contact Lorna Bourg, smha@southernmutualhelp.org or by phone (337) 367-3277, with any assistance or contributions."
Preserving access to abortion during emergency National Network of Abortion Funds "The National Network of Abortion Funds (NNAF) has established an emergency fund for abortion care for women and girls affected by the hurricane. Our national casemanager will coordinate this funding for women affected.
We believe that the abortion funding needs of women from the affected region may grow substantially over the next weeks and months. Many women who are currently unable to get abortions may very likely have to seek second trimester abortions and will need the increased funding necessary for later procedures."
"Tax-deductible donations ... Please earmark gifts: Hurricane Victims Abortion Fund.
NNAF
42 Seaverns Avenue
Boston, MA 02130
Donations can also be made online at www.nnaf.org by clicking on the "donate now" button. Please specify that donations are for hurricane victims. You can also call the NNAF office for more
information at: 617-524-6040."
Chanelling corporate & other assistance to local clinics Operation USA "They can provide medical supplies and cash grants to smaller local clinics who are not Red Cross affiliates." www.opusa.org
Direct assistance to evacuees Camp Casey "camp casey (based out of crawford, tx) and the veterans for peace have formed 'camp casey covington' at the Covington Pine View Middle School on 28th Street in covington, LA to help out survivors. they have a satellite internet hookup, food, water and supplies for survivors in and around covington. " List of items needed -- mostly nurses & other volunteers, vehicles, food and technology -- is here: crawfordpeace.nfshost.com/node/1865
"Cash donations are always needed and are Tax Deductible!
Contact:
Veterans For Peace Chapter 116
28500 Sherwood Rd
Willits CA 95490
pjtate@sonic.net
Cell PH 707-536-3001"
Grassroots housing etc. for evacuees in Austin Rhizome Collective "The Rhizome Collective has opened its doors for disaster relief. Accepting a manageable number of guests from those who respond to the word-of-mouth announcement sent through the community, a group has formed that will find people housing, provide meals, small scale childcare, help folks navigate the maze of social services, and do our best to meet whatever other needs they may have." "We'll need volunteers to help staff a Welcome Center, coordinate housing & food, and various other tasks. Also accepting supplies and monetary donations.
Directions: rhizomecollective.org/directions.html
Contact: (e-mail) katrinarelief@rhizomecollective.org (phone) 512.385.3695
Direct assistance to evacuees Houston local churches "My church is going to work with other churches and organizations as a way station for food, clothes and
money to get to others:
Items Needed:
Food and drinks
Clothing
Disposable diapers
Games and toys
Sheets and blankets
Monetary donations"
"Drop-off locations:
Lamb of God Lutheran Church
7800 W. Bellfort
Houston, Texas 77071
(713) 771-8176
Rev. James Berggren
contact: PK Mc Cary
perrimac@sbcglobal.net
Other Community Churches in Houston
Spring Tabernacle Church, 3031 F.M. 2920, Spring;
(281) 353-1851
Memorial Baptist Church, 600 W. Sterling, Baytown
St. Peter Claver Catholic Church, 6005 N, Wayside
Drive, Houston
Baytown Community Center, 2407 Market Street, Baytown
Mont Belvieu Senior Center, 11607 Eagle Drive, Mont Belvieu
Moody Methodist Church, 2803 53rd Street, Galveston"
Direct service to evacuees w/ domestic violence needs
Louisiana Domestic Violence Victim's Hurricane Relief Fund "LCADV is a network of 20 domestic violence programs / shelters throughout the state. Four of our shelters and two nonresidential programs are completely closed at the time and two or three may be completely destroyed. <snip>
Donations will be used to assist battered victims from the following parishes in Louisiana: Orleans, Jefferson, St. Tammany, St. Bernard, and Plaquemines. The donations will be used for the following purposes:
Relocation of domestic violence victims
Purchasing of basic needs, i.e. baby formula, diapers, food, clothing, etc.
that could not be met elsewhere.
Deposits on Houses, eletric bills, car repairs, gas, public transportation
Medical / prescription needs
Other basic, life sustaining needs
All donations go directly to victims of domestic violence affected by this hurricane and will not be used for any administrative or other purposes.
" make a donation at the local AmSouth Bank Branch to the LCADV Domestic Violence Hurricane Releif Fund Account Number: 0020085338.
Donations from other states can be
made through wire transfer to this account.
Mastercard or Visa, you may contact the Louisiana Coaltion Against Domestic Violence office at (225)752-1296. Donations may also be electronically deposited into our account by faxing a voided check with the amount of the donation to (225) 751-8927. LCADV will set up an electronic deposit and you will receive confirmation of your donation with the tax-deductible receipt.
Local farmers organizing themselves Federation of Southern Cooperatives "A long-time member of the National Family Farm Coalition is the Federation of Southern Cooperatives. They are based in Atlanta and have a training center in Epes, Alabama and extensive farmer controlled farmer marketing coops, credit unions, and housing coops in Southern Alabama and Mississippi - regions both heavily hit by Katrina. <snip>
"The Federation is offering direct financial and technical assistance and support to our member families in the region with support from partnering agencies like Oxfam America, Farm-Aid, Cooperative Development Foundation, Southern Partners Fund, Bert and Mary Meyer Foundation, Sharing Inc., and others. We are assisting families to register with the Red Cross and FEMA for more short and long term assistance but these agencies are moving slowly and cautiously in the face of great needs and remote rural conditions.
Over time the Federation would like to institute more long term recovery efforts employing self-help cooperative principles including developing housing cooperatives, self-help housing, worker owned cooperative clean-up, rehab and construction crews, as well as our ongoing work with farmers cooperatives and credit unions. "
"donations can be sent directly to the Federation: 2769 Church Street, East Point, GA 30344. www.federation.coop
Other options are to donate to the Farm Aid Disaster Fund. http://www.farmaid.org/. Farm Aid has already donated $15,000 for supplies for the camp in Alabama, a special grant to Farmers Legal Action Group for hurricane disaster response and to the Louisiana Interchurch Conference. <snip>
Or...National Family Farm Coalition - www.nffc.net - 110 Maryland Ave..N.E, Suite 307; Washington, D.C. 20002-- we have re-activated our Credit Task Force and will be working ... to make sure that the federal disaster assistance meets the needs of family farmers - and push for legislative fixes to existing programs.
Or...Oxfam America ... They have also already donated $25,000 to the Federation for the Alabama camp - www.oxfamamerica.org"
Local health assistance to evacuees, long-term clean-up of NOLA. Louisiana Environmental Network "this Thurday, LEAN members provided an airdrop of food, water, and medical supplies to the trapped residents of St. Bernard and Plaquemine Parishes, two of the most inundated areas in the state. Saturday, LEAN dropped more supplies for stranded people in Washington Parish. LEAN is also working hard now to raise more funds to allow local people, working with local government leaders to provide direct, immediate assistance with all the efficiency that comes from not being a bureaucrat or an outsider. <snip> I also know that LEAN won't just leave the area when the immediate crisis is over. LEAN will also work to address the toxic cesspool and chemical contamination that will be left behind 'when the water finally recedes.
"At this time, the most needed
items are tetanus shots, insulin, IV fluids, as well as financial resources to purchase and transport medical and food assistance directly to victims."
LEAN, 162 Craydon Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA 70806
www.leanweb.org
Direct action supply convoy Pastors for Peace (9/5/05) "the pastors for peace, a grassroots solidarity aid organization that sends aid caravans to cuba (breaking the blockade) and central america, is organizing an emergency aid caravan of five trucks, five routes -- coming from iowa, LA and new york city, collecting aid along the way.....we should arrive in new orleans by the end of the week. this is people-to-people aid, no top-down bureaucracy involved. it's all volunteers, the only cost is the gas (and biodiesel, when we can get it) to get the trucks down there. " "any other money we collect is
going to go to buy more aid for hurricane survivors. and we are taking donations of all the essentials - food (non-perishable), clothing, blankets, radios, medicine, etc. for info, call the pastors for peace at 212-926-5757
website: www.pastorsforpeace.org
Please send your check or money order (payable to IFCO) to:
Interreligious Foundation for Community Organization (IFCO)
402 W 145th Street
New York, NY 10031
write 'Hurricane Katrina' on the memo line"
more info: neworleans.indymedia.org/news/ 2005/09/4547.php
Evacuees organizing for community-led allocation of FEMA & Red Cross resources
The People's Hurricane Fund & Community Oversight Committee Click here to read New Orleanians' call to action and demands of FEMA etc.
"We have set up a People's Hurricane Fund that will be directed and administered by New Orleanian evacuees."
"Donations can be MADE OUT TO VANGUARD PUBLIC FOUNDATION AND EARMARKED FOR:
The People's Hurricane Fund
c/o Vanguard Public Foundation
383 Rhode Island St., #301
San Francisco, CA 94103
If you have comments of how to proceed or need more information, please email them to Curtis Muhammad (muhammadcurtis@bellsouth.net) and Becky Belcore (bbelcore@hotmail.com)"
Direct, local assistance to evacuees w/disabilities
Centers for Independent Living "As you may know, the Centers for Independent Living in Biloxi, Mississippi and New Orleans have been gravely affected by the hurricane. In fact the Biloxi, MS center was totally destroyed."
"1) Send a check or credit card payment to the Red Cross and designate it for Hurricane Relief, or designate it for people with disabilities in the Biloxi/ Hattiesburg or New Orleans areas.
2) If you want to send money for the CILs that are dealing with this disaster directly<snip>:
For the Biloxi Center, mail the check (payable to LIFE of Central MS and designated for the Biloxi Center) to: LIFE of Central Mississippi 754 North President Street, Suite 1 Jackson, MS
39202 ,
For the centers in Louisiana make checks payable to Resources for Independent Living and designate for the New Orleans center, and mail to: Resources for IL 11931 Industriplex Blvd. Suite 200 Baton Rouge, LA 70809
We have also learned from Mack Marsh of the Shreveport Center that centers in Shreveport, Baton Rouge, and Lake Charles are assisting evacuees. Mack says they would also appreciate supplies if there is any way to get those supplies to the centers. His list includes: manual wheelchairs, hospital beds, adult diapers, bed pads, catheters and other supplies. The address for the Baton Rouge center is shown above, addresses for the Shreveport and Lake Charles centers follow: Southwest LA Independence Center, Inc. Mitch Granger 1202 Kirkman, Suite C, Lake Charles, LA 70601 // New Horizons, Inc. Jerry Kidwell 9300 Mansfield Road, Suite 204 Shreveport, LA 71118"
Direct assistance - supply trucks Millions More Movement "More drop-off locations to be announced" (Brooklyn, NY) Call (718) 398-1766
Connecting evacuees with resources
Katrina InfoShare Collective "The main objective as of now is connecting people to , and to each other. This entails creating an info packet: a concise resource guide containing pertinent
phone and internet listings, job leads, welfare info, places to get food, public transportation guide, a map of the city, and more. A short range radio station will be set up in one of the large shelters as well, relaying news in real-time, broadcasting people's stories and re-connecting the lost. Radios will be distributed among the evacuees to listen to the broadcasts. Volunteers will be on-site at the shelters, distributing the info packets and radios, and talking to those who need an ear.
In addressing the immediate needs of this crisis, participants in KIS are hoping to plan for the long-term as well. Many are permanently displaced from the submerged New Orleans, and those who hope to return will have to wait until the water is drained and the city rebuilt. This will undoubtedly put a new stress on Houston and other nearby cities for some time to come, and our aid will have to sustain the new demands."
"kiscollective@yahoo.com
1-800-MY-YAHOO, ext. 7827837663
Individuals and groups interesting in participating or allying call or email the contacts listed above."
Anti-racist education The Peoples' Institute Long-standing New Orleans-headquartered anti-racist education org.
"The People’s Institute was created to develop more analytical, culturally-rooted and effective community organizers... it has built a national collective of anti-racist, multicultural community organizers who do their work with an understanding of history, culture, and the impact of racism on communities. These anti-racist organizers build leadership in and account to the constituencies where they are organizing."
"The People's Institute for Survival and Beyond
Temporary address:
People's Institute NYC
P.O. Box 250809
New York, NY 10025
New website: www.pisab.org"
Low-income & POC advocacy inside evacuee centers
FFLIC (Families and Friends of Louisiana's Incarcerated Children) "It is not in our organizational "mission" to find people homes and reunite incarcerated kids with their families. Nor is it our mission to go shelter to shelter helping people focus the kind of rage and fury that leads to riots into something powerful, productive, and potentially future-altering. But we have cried and yelled and talked about it for days and today we finally pulled out the butcher block and markers and planned."
"1) Donate: Send a check to the "FFLIC Hurricane Relief Fund" to 920 Platt Street, Sulphur, Louisiana, 70663.
2) Volunteer: Come and help us walk through the shelters, find people, help folks apply for FEMA assistance, figure out what needs they have, match folks up with other members willing to take people in. We especially need Black folks to help us as the racial divide between relief workers and evacuees is stark. Email us ASAP if you would like to help with this work.
3) Send supplies for the effort: We don't need tee-shirts and underwear. We need things like cars, computers, a copy machine, a fax machine. All of these items are going to what we need to have in place to better help our families. To find out exactly what we need, call us at the number below.
4) Organize others to send donations, supplies or come down here and help.
5) If you are of modest means and you can't volunteer your time, do what you believe gives us strength. Pray, write op-eds or letters to the editor, organize your block, write FEMA and tell them what you think, protest local racist media coverage
We can't promise you a 501(c) (3) letter to make your donation tax deductible. We are trying are hardest to get this in place soon but its not our priority. We can promise you that every dime will be spent helping the beautiful people of New Orleans who have lost everything they have, survive and resist. <snip>
Please e-mail all four e-mail addresses:
kdhiggs@hotmail.com, familiescantwait@yahoo.com, deenv_2000@yahoo.com,
xochitl@mediajumpstart.org"
Public services Charity Hospital Charity Hospital is a public hospital serving low-income people. It was among the last to be evacuated, while private hospitals were able to pay for transport and care for their patients days earlier.
"They are an enormous provider of services for people with HIV and AIDS. and have been providing services to the public who can;t afford private health care for decades. they are amazing and need help. not exactly a small local org - for that you might give to NO AIDS task force... "
Donate online: http://tinyurl.com/as488
(Full url:
http://partners.guidestar.org/
controller/searchResults.gs?
action_gsReport=1&partner
=network forgood&
ein=72-6028092)
Low-income communities organizing themselves Louisiana Welfare Rights Organization "WRO is located in New Orleans, Louisiana and is one of the oldest still operating welfare rights/advocacy organizations. Among the services provided by WRO are job training and low income housing apartments that are both located in New Orleans.<snip>
Please help us help low-income families in New Orleans by sending a contribution to DAWG's WRO Fund. Donations are tax deductible."
WRO Fund
c/o DAWG
PO Box 20079
Charleston, WV 25362
DAWG: (304) 347-9222
www.geocities.com/itsdadawg
Direct action for relief Malcolm X Grassroots Movt. "The Malcolm X Grassroots Movement is sponsoring a FOOD & CLOTHING DRIVE!
Our people in the South need our help. We cannot wait for or assume Red Cross will take care of our people.<snip> Several large Black Churches have opened their doors to displaced people. Here is a list of things NEEDED TODAY:
TOWELS, SHEETS AND LINENS, DIAPERS, WATER, TOOTH BRUSHES, TOOTH PASTE, SOAP, AIR MATTRESSES - We also need monetary donations to ship out these goods.
FREE 'EM ALL.
Twenty six years of freedom! Hands Off Assata!"
"Bring all donated goods to:
The Malcolm X Grassroots Movt.
388 Atlantic Ave., 4th fl
Btwn Hoyt & Bond St.
(718) 254-8800
For folks inthe Bronx and uptown pls contact Nyoka at 917-609-4323."
National coordination of low-income-targeted relief? ACORN See ACORN/Katrina-Response info at www.acorn.org 800-790-2290 for information and assistance
ACORN Hurricane Recovery & Rebuilding Fund
739 8th Street SE
Washington, DC 20003
POC-led relief BlackAmerica Web.com
"This fund has been set up by nationally syndicated radio personality Tom Joyner." "BlackAmericaWeb.com Relief Fund
PO Box 803209/ Dallas, TX 75240
OR you can make an online donation:
www.blackamericaweb.com/relief"
POC-led relief/ direct assistance NAACP "The NAACP is setting up command centers in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama as part of its disaster relief efforts. NAACP units across the nation have begun collecting resources that will be placed on trucks and sent directly into the disaster areas. Also, the NAACP has established a disaster relief fund to accept monetary donations to aid in the relief effort.
The NAACP, founded in 1909, is America’s oldest civil rights organization."
"Checks can be sent to the NAACP payable to:
NAACP Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund
4805 Mt. Hope Drive
Baltimore, MD 21215
Donations can also be made online at
naacp.org/disaster/contribute.php"
Local/POC-led relief Team Rescue One "Set up by native New Orleans rapper Master P and his wife Sonya Miller" www.teamrescueone.com
Local direct relief (food, clothing) to low-income/POC Local religious & community spaces "You can mail or ship non perishable items to these following locations, which we have confirmed are REALLY delivering services to folks in need…."
(don't know who "we" refers to, sorry. -ed.)
Center for LIFE Outreach Center
121 Saint Landry Street
Lafayette, LA 70506
atten.: Minister Pamela Robinson
337-504-5374
Mohammad Mosque 65
2600 Plank Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70805
atten.: Minister Andrew Muhammad
225-923-1400
225-357-3079
Lewis Temple CME Church
272 Medgar Evers Street
Grambling, LA 71245
atten.: Rev. Dr. Ricky Helton
318-247-3793
St. Luke Community United Methodist Church
c/o Hurricane Katrina Victims
5710 East R.L. Thornton Freeway
Dallas, TX 75223
atten.: Pastor Tom Waitschies
214-821-2970
S.H.A.P.E. Community Center
3815 Live Oak
Houston, Texas 77004
atten.: Deloyd Parker
713-521-0641
Direct action: supply trip Infoshop.org & Mayday DC (9/1/05) "Infoshop.org collective member, Jamie "Bork" Loughner, has decided to go to the Gulf Coast from Washington, DC with supplies for the people affected by Hurricane Katrina. Her trip will be sponsored by Infoshop News and Mayday DC. She is making travel arrangements at this point. Bork is talking about buying water filters at part of the supplies she is taking down. She will also be doing reporting on the situation for Indymedia and Infoshop News." "Is anybody from Asheville, NC reading this? Bork says that she heard about an activist caravan being organized there .We are also looking for people who can help along the way, providing an overnight place to crash, for example. We've already had one offer from somebody living in Alabama.
People can read more and help out by going to Infoshop News: http://www.infoshop.org/inews/."
Anarchist & anti-authoritarian relief actions Infoshop.org "<snip> I'm creating a page on Infoshop.org on what anarchist and anti-authoritarians are doing for relief projects. <snip>
Chuck Munson
Infoshop.org"
The URL for that page will be: www.infoshop.org/
hurricanekatrina.html
Preserving New Orleans culture during rebuilding NOAH: a new houston/nola musicians support project "Everyone knows that a huge part of New Orleans' culture is its music. But how can this be preserved so that it will be ready when the city rebuilds? <snip> The project is named: SHONOF (pronounced “sho’nuff”: Safe Harbor for Our New Orleans Friends).
Primary goals are:
1. To contact New Orleans musicians, wherever they are, and let them know there is a support group in Houston ready to help them, provide housing, get gigs, etc.
2. To line up apartments, rooms, etc. for these people to live in until they can get on their feet.
3. To organize an instrument clearing house whereby the musicians can get access to needed instruments in order to perform and make a living.
4. To urge local venues--clubs, restaurants, hotels, etc.--to expand their use of live musicians.
5. To organize and hold benefit concerts featuring the New Orleans musicians, supplemented by the best of Houston musicians, to raise money to help the musicians and the project.
6. To share their current gigs with the New Orleans musicians, either by adding a player or two to their performing group or by relinquishing an entire gig."
"Gigi Hill may be contacted on (713) 503-3518, gigi@noahleans.org. Their new website is www.noahleans.org"
Direct assistance to people w/ HIV/AIDS AIDS Alliance "AIDS Alliance ... have set up a fund and have already started distributing funds to women and kids who went to title 4 clinics in the affected areas -- so that is a good way to immediately get funds out to PWAs of color. They are doing tons of one on one support work to help people get relocated and settled and into care, etc." Donate online:
https://secure.ga3.org/03/
KatrinaEmergencyFund
Evacuee-organized supply convoy Get Your Act On! 9/3/05 "...(Jeffrey and Andrea) are currently in Waco, TX. <snip> almost NOTHING is getting in via 'official' channels (we have spoken to people still in the city).
Our house is still standing and should be relatively free of flood waters by now, so it will be used as a base for relief efforts as we are just 6 blocks from the lower 9th ward, one of the hardest hit neighborhoods. We will be purchasing a van or getting a large UHaul, filling it with supplies and driving it back to New Orleans."
Donate by PayPal or donate goods:
http://www.getyouracton.com/
Direct action/ food convoy Food Not Bombs "We plan to send another busload of food to the effected area. <snip>Our Food Not Bombs chapters in New Orleans and Biloxi, Mississippi have been wiped out. Our groups in Houston, Austin, San Antonio Jackson, Pensacola, Memphis and other southern cities are feeding people fleeing the disaster. Food Not Bombs is ready to help the tens of thousands of people that have been made homeless by the storm.
Thanks, Keith McHenry - cofounder of Food Not Bombs.
http://www.foodnotbombs.net/ "
"the houston chapter of FNB shares in front of the downtown library at lamar and brazos on monday wednesdays, fridays @ 8 pm and sundays @ 7. We welcome all food and all hungry bellies. We are in the process of getting the word out to the katrina refugees. We will be sharing on tuesdays and thursdays at the astrodome TBA"
"If you can help cook and serve food, have money you can donate or have the time to call groceries and warehouses for food please contact us at http://www.foodnotbombs.net.
You can make a financial donation on line or mail checks to Food Not Bombs, P.O. Box 744, Tucson, AZ 85702.
Please call (1-800-884-1136 ) or email (katrina@foodnotbombs.net ) us if you can join us on the bus or help with gas money. We intend to leave in the next few days."
Local grassroots relief, rebuilding, and networking neworleansnetwork.org / The New Orleans Fund "This website is a tool to help people in the New Orleans and Gulf Coast area stay connected to the communities they love, access and share resources, and begin the discussions we need to be having about our past, present, and future. The Network is a tool to help us rebuild our social circles, our neighborhoods, the different communities we participate in, and our cities. We must
address the challenges this city has always faced, and widen our imagination of how it can be a better, more just, more beautiful place to call home."
"Donate to the New Orleans Fund:
1. We fund direct action and emergency aid for evacuees
2. We fund New Orleans organizations and organizers
3. We fund strategic planning and reconstruction for the long term"
"Log on to www.neworleansnetwork.org and share your stories, announcements, organizing efforts, and articles.
And donate to the New Orleans Fund.
Contact shana@indyvoter.org for more info."
This list is gathered from organizations and community organizers around the country by the Sparkplug Foundation. It has since been turned over to May First for maintainence. Neither the Sparkplug Foundation nor May First has verified the information, nor can we provide any details about these groups;
please do not call us to inquire.
To add an organization, e-mail a description of the organization's work & details about how to donate to katrina@mayfirst.org or call (718) 303-3204 x. 104. Call only to add a listing, please!
FRAUD ALERT: Much of the direct assistance to Katrina evacuees is coming from informal community networks, which deserve our trust and support even if they aren't "official." But there has also been some fraud in donation-collection, mostly via websites. Please trust community-led work, but use common sense and caution when donating to groups you don't know.