Rebuilding Lives and Careers After Katrina

By Tory Johnson, CEO, Women For Hire

This is the story of how individuals can make a big difference in the lives of those harmed by Katrina.

I HAD TO HELP

As I watched the televised devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina and saw thousands of people moving into shelters in churches and stadiums, I felt compelled to do my small part in assisting those in need.

Combining my expertise in jobs with their philanthropic interests, my lifelong family friends, Sandy and Paul Steinberg, generously offered to give me money to travel to Houston to help people who relocated from New Orleans to find jobs.

On Labor Day I walked into the Astrodome with a handmade sign that read, "Are you looking for a job?" I was soon surrounded by people who shared their stories of struggle. They had lost everything: their homes, possessions, jobs, and in some cases, contact with family and friends. These were cashiers, housekeepers, laborers, drivers, prep cooks, dishwashers, and janitors all of whom were eager to get back to work.
Their stories were similar, but one young woman struck me with her innocence and fear. Doris Banks, a 20-year-old single mother of a four-year-old boy, had an angelic face and sweet disposition.

DORIS BANKS & TACO BELL

Doris had been working at Taco Bell in New Orleans when the storm struck. She left her home, as it was overcome by floodwaters, and moved into the Convention Center, where she thought she'd reside for a night or two. She watched a baby die from dehydration and an elderly man perish from heat stroke. Days later, to escape the horrendous conditions, she boarded a bus to Houston with nothing but the clothes on her back.
I called Taco Bell and learned that Doris was eligible for immediate rehire in Houston. She even got a raise. Doris later told me, "I didn't think my job could be transferred out here. I just thought I was going to lay hopeless."

HOUSING

Knowing that a job and housing would go hand in hand, I helped her secure government vouchers for housing assistance. Then I cross-referenced dozens of Taco Bell locations with hundreds of apartment vacancies and found a perfect match just three blocks from each other, which was essential since she doesn't drive.

When we arrived to check out the place, Doris immediately knew she wanted it. "When I saw the building, it looked different from what I was used to being around. I had never seen around a cleaner place. There's no violence. I don't have to duck from this one and that one to avoid getting shot," said Doris, who had lived in a dangerous housing project her entire life. "It just brightened my whole day."

I convinced the landlord to move at lightning speed. Within three hours of my first call, Doris signed the lease and had the keys in hand. From there we filled many, many shopping carts with food, clothing, toiletries, kitchen appliances, bedding and a TV. I ordered a bed and furniture to be delivered. We picked out a cell phone and Doris made her first-ever visit to Starbucks. (Mocha frappachino has a new fan!)

OPRAH SPEAKS, WE FIND SUCCESS!

When Oprah spoke to the Astrodome evacuees, she told them they'd come out stronger and better for having survived the storm. I didn't think that was even remotely possible as I stood among the crying babies, crowded cots and a sad scene. But after having met Doris and cutting through the bureaucracy to establish the foundation for her new beginning, I'm a big believer.

Just two and a half days of my time, plus $4,000 of the Steinbergs' money, Doris was well on her way to rebuilding a life full of promise. She is still shocked by what she calls an "overwhelming blessing," and I remain in awe of my new friend's ability to rebound with great determination.

In the coming months, I will assist Doris with computer training and college courses to put her on a path to pursue the career of her dreams: to work in the medical field, where she will be ale to assist people just as she was assisted by me.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Doris, like thousands of other people sheltered in stadiums and churches, had no available assistance from the government or charity groups in the job search process. When you've lost everything and you're bused to a new city, one you've never visited, it's impossible to get a handle on the lay of the land and fight the bureaucracy on your own. Even if she had wanted to pursue Taco Bell, she had no transportation to make it to a location, nor did she have bus fare to get there.

The Red Cross and other relief groups are feeding and clothing people, but something specific must be done to assist with job placement. Expecting evacuees to search Internet job postings is totally unrealistic. Computer access isn't readily available and many of these people lack the skills to search online. If every displaced resident had a case worker or friend assigned to them - someone to help step by step as I did with Doris - this tragedy could be quickly reversed.

• Ask your employer to offer a job to a displaced worker. Companies should consider committing to employing just one person and sponsoring their family. If the job is out of town, commit to providing transportation and assisting with housing. The financial investment is minimal compared to the emotional human suffering caused by being stranded in a shelter with no hope in sight.

• If possible, travel directly to one of the shelters. I didn't work through any official agency or charity. I arrived at the Astrodome and connected with Doris on my own. Go make your own friend. Find a person or a family with whom you click and commit to helping them rebuild their lives. Even if you don't have the money to set them up, just using common sense and tenacity to cut through the red tape can bring hope to someone in need.

• In the weeks ahead, push yourself to lend a hand to someone in need. No matter how big or small the deed, the rewards for both of you will be immeasurable.