Red Cross Shelter Vignettes

By Georgia Duncan, American Red Cross

Red Cross Shelter Vignettes from the George R. Brown Convention Center Shelter in Houston, Texas

Vignette 1

Stranded several miles from home, Max Gonzales knew his family needed his help. The rain from Hurricane Harvey had begun early in the day and increased in intensity with each passing hour. At home, his pregnant wife, Vanessa, was caring for four-year-old Elliana, and three-year-old Amerie. As the weather grew worse, Vanessa made the decision to put the girls in the car and drive to the safety of her mother’s home.

Meanwhile, Max got a ride with a friend, but the car was quickly in water too deep to safely drive. After pushing the car to safety, Max set out on foot. After walking for several hours, Max arrived at his mother-in-law’s home only to find that the roof of her home was leaking and the ceiling had collapsed. Now, Max had to make arrangements to move his family once again.

As Max pondered his next move, a large truck come through the neighborhood offering to take anyone needing a ride to safety. Max and Vanessa immediately bundled the girls, grabbed what possessions they could, and boarded the truck.

The young family arrived at the George R. Brown Convention Center shelter, where he says Red Cross volunteers welcomed them warmly, gave them a place where the family could rest together, and provided warm meals. The girls quickly made friends with other children and played contentedly.

Just a couple of days later, Max and Vanessa received an offer of a new place to live where they could continue to raise their girls and their new baby, arriving in about 3 months.

Looking back at his long walk to get to his family, Max said simply “I’d do anything to make sure my wife and kids are safe.”

Vignette 2

Curtis Brown, 64, knows disasters, as Hurricane Harvey is not his first. After Harvey stormed through Houston, he had to walk eight miles from his flooded home in Frenchtown to reach safety at the George R. Brown Convention Center shelter in Houston.

“The shelter is very well organized, the food is excellent and the shelter is neat and clean,” he declared.

After just two days at the American Red Cross shelter, Curtis said he will be able to return to his home. But because of the storm, he is now unemployed. Undaunted, Curtis said he is leaving the shelter to return to his home, find work, and begin his recovery from the disaster called Harvey.

Vignette 3

Hurricane Harvey wreaked havoc in Houston across the economic spectrum. One woman, who did not want to be identified but was willing for her story to be told, said she was living in Tent City in Willard when the storm hit. Her dwelling flooded, destroying most of her belongings. After staying in a homeless shelter nearby, she moved to the George R. Brown shelter run by the American Red Cross to receive medical support.

Hurricane Harvey wreaked havoc in Houston across the economic spectrum. One woman, who did not want to be identified but was willing for her story to be told, said she was living in Tent City in Willard when the storm hit. Her dwelling flooded, destroying most of her belongings. After staying in a homeless shelter nearby, she moved to the George R. Brown shelter run by the American Red Cross to receive medical support.Her plan of recovery is already beginning; she has applied for an apartment and has an appointment to look at one. While she waits

Her plan of recovery is already beginning; she has applied for an apartment and has an appointment to look at one. While she waits to move into permanent housing, she says she “is extremely grateful” for the services the Red Cross is offering. She feels she can “now do whatever” she needs to do to make a new life for herself.