Lawrence has adopted a family. More families to come

[Mabus]

Hey MuseRider, putout and proud2: Just found this on the Lawrence Journal-World:

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2005/sep/06/city_announces_adopted_hurricane_family/?breaking
A family displaced by Hurricane Katrina is on its way to Lawrence, and hundreds more may soon follow.

City officials announced this afternoon that a New Orleans family has been chosen as part of the city’s program to adopt a family displaced by the hurricane. Ursla and D.J. Markey, along with their 25 year-old son who has a learning disability, are expected to arrive in Lawrence late next week.

But officials with Douglas County Emergency Preparedness are preparing for hundreds of additional families to show up on Lawrence’s doorstep. Paula Phillips, director of the emergency management agency, said Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ office has asked Lawrence to serve as a possible overflow shelter site for some of the 4,500 storm victims that will be transferred to Kansas from overcrowded shelters in Texas.

City, county, hospital, university and nonprofit agencies will meet Wednesday morning to determine where a shelter that could house between 100 and 500 people could be located. Discussions also will include whether the community has enough resources — both in terms of dollars and manpower — to provide the necessary services to the refugees.

[kansasblue]

1. sweet Lawrence

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. There are a bunch of kids coming into

our schools here in KC.

[put out]

3. Late to the game as usual, that's me. I have this friend, she

went with her church on two big buses, with as many supplies as they could beg and borrow. I think it was on the fourth, and they were headed to Houston. They hoped to bring back as many as 100 people. They did not. She wrote a very moving missive; she says in it that she would need some time to process the experience. She says there are some things she won't talk about. She suggests PTSD may be a common diagnosis of those who have survived; they have endured and witnessed so much. The first bus brought back 13 people. I'm not certain about the second bus; I believe they were expecting 20.

But here is this: she wrote 8 or so reasons the survivors did not want to leave, and I can only give a couple or five:

These people felt safe finally for the first time in more than a week.

Some had not yet located loved ones, and were waiting, hoping to find them.

Some had to wait for relief agencies to do intake, so that they could document who they were, where they had come from, where they might be going, their property lost, the family members missing or taken to other places. How they could get some money to get some something; what happened there? Gol dang, diapers, deodorant, soap, tampons, shampoo, clean fucking underwear.

Many had had no access to reliable media and thought they might be going back to their homes soon.

Some were infirm in body or mind, and could not go.

Some people have lived in a warm climate all their lives and do not want to relocate to a place where it gets cold, very fucking cold.

With her permission, I would forward her email. Let me know if I could help the new members of your communities.

Kim

[atommom]

4. There's a new child from N.O. in my son's first-grade class.

Not sure how many families will wind up here, but hope they are able to adjust quickly!