My husband and I are thinking of driving to the Astrodome...

[CoffeeCat]

...finding a family and asking them if they want to come home with us and live for as long as they need.

We feel compelled to do something. We have small children in grade school, so we aren't able to "get in the trenches" and help in person.

I know helping one family won't change the world--but we feel that we MUST do something that will really count.

I really feel that the solutions to this massive catastrophe won't be found with the U.S. Government. We are getting speeches, sound bytes, promises of telethons--while people die in the streets. I've never seen anything like it. If they can't even supply these people with water--4 days after the hurricane--how will they be competent enough to help them rebuild their entire lives?

We want to drive to the Astrodome, find a family with a couple of small kids--and tell them that we will house, food and clothe them for as long as they need.

We could help them get on their feet, or even help them relocate in our area.

We just moved into a fairly good sized house. We feel fortunate to have everything that we do. We could convert our bedroom into a "suite" for a family--with their own large bedroom, bathroom and whirlpool tub. That way they could have privacy when they need it--but they would share the entire house with us.

I don't want to stand by and listen to hollow FEMA speeches--while we watch people suffer. It's unacceptable.

Our family feels like we need to "take up arms"---our own arms--and put them around a real family and help them out.

Does anyone think this is totally nuts? Or do you see problems with this idea that I'm not seeing? Any input is appreciated.

[crispini]

1. Do it.

Where are you? You might actually have people nearer than Houston. Call your local Red Cross first.

[spuddonna]

2. God bless you... I live in WA state, but was just saying

why not have sponsor families till the Feds get their act togther? It'd get kids in schools faster...

If you can afford it, and if you have the space, I can't see why not... and I'm a pessimist so that saying something!

Now whether they will LET you do this, who knows? At least you can try! :)

[lildreamer316]

3. Be careful

Right now I would use a different channel until a little more order is restored ONLY because they are likely to overwhelm you phisically in their desperation. Just think it through and have a good plan,ok?

[warrens]

4. They're turning away anyone who drove there

A lot of these people have no where to go and no money for gas even if they had a place to go. I'd do the same, but Chicago is a long way away.

[GreenPartyVoter]

5. Bless you! I hope the gov't will let you do that.

[liberalpragmatist]

6. REALLY Tough Question

I would love to do the same thing, but not only will law enforcement probably not let you through (and how would you get there given that it's surrounded by water?), you'll probably get mobbed. People are DESPARATE to get out and the truth is that as horrible as it sounds, you might well be risking your own life.

I might suggest trying to rescue people who are fleeing on foot. You know, the people on the interstates. If you can reach a family or two over there, do that.

[crispini]

10. The Astrodome is in HOUSTON, ya'll.

Not the Superdome.

[BeTheChange]

7. Contact a local Church

My Church is in the works of talking to people about providing homes to those that have lost everything.

I think if you showed up at the Astrodome you might get mobbed.

[Jacobin]

8. Also, you can sign up at craigslist.com

It is a great site for people offering and needed temporary shelter from the storm

[stellanoir]

9. Ir's a totally good hearted gesture.

Just bare in mind, these folks have been brutallized by totally inhumane treatment by virtue of our "culture of life" government's complete ineptitude.

They may have psd. Just be as patient and tolerant as you can be.

Good on ya.

[Misunderestimator]

11. Moveon just sent this About an EMERGENCY HOUSING DRIVE:

You can sign up if you have housing to provide anywhere... especially in the Southeast, but you can sign up to help here no matter where you live:

http://www.hurricanehousing.org

[ultraist]

16. I signed up there, but how will these families see a post on the internet?

Are Red Cross workers helping them gain access to the internet and hooking up resources, such as my post for use of one of my apartments?

They didn't specify on the site. They just said, people look at your postings, leave a message if they are interested and then we contact them. Which of course means, they must have a phone or internet access. I suppose some shelters have phones.

[intheflow]

12. MoveOn and Harris County (TX) Citizen Corps.

Try them before going to the Astrodome. Bound to be more orderly.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4556352

http://www.hurricanehousing.org/

You might also contact Harris County (TX) Citizen Corp., the group that I think is organizing the Astrodome for the evacuees. They may be turning people away, but I'll bet they're sending them to local shelters. At the very least they are coordinating refugee efforts with many other groups including the Red Cross. Maybe they can hook you up with a family directly: http://www.harriscountycitizencorps.com/

[gkhouston]

13. what about Craigslist? You could post something there?

I'm all for the idea of taking someone in if you have room but I'd coordinate things before you go. You don't want to get mobbed by prospects or get the cold shoulder from relief workers who think you've shown up at the pound to select a new puppy. I know that's not your mindset, but contacting them before you make the trip shows some planning and intent.

[nofurylike]

14. how generous! MoveOn is linking housing needs/offers. here:

http://www.hurricanehousing.org/?id=5948-3358105-_.FRgT2kkK27Tne7eRrFAw

please pass that on, folks!


peace

[applegrove]

15. That would be a great thing to do. I wish I was in a position to do that.

You'll get so much out of it. It will help with living under the rule of the boy-king.

[blm]

17. If we had the room, I'd do the same.

When we moved to the city we had to give up 1000sq ft.

[faithnotgreed]

18. wherever you can go and spread love - go

do it

i dont know how or if you can coordinate with a real help agency but if thats not possible please give what you feel you have to give

i wish you could get to where people are still waiting with no hope right now of getting to the astrodome but perhaps thats not feasible where you are

best wishes though whatever you decide
whatever you can give - give
and thank you deeply for this

the prayer of st francis

[friesianrider]

19. Be very, very careful...hijackings are happening now...

If you have small kids, please be careful about this. If word gets out, it could be very dangerous for you.