My husband and I recently moved from Florida to Houston to be closer to our grandchildren. The move was hard because we loved the beach and starting all over trying to make new friends was challenging. I was desperate to find meaning and purpose in my life. Because my son, Michael, loved working with Katy Responds, I decided to volunteer too. The first home I worked on belonged to Jaylan and Julien. Those boys lost their parents, their home, and all their money. Then I met Ms. Jackson raising two special needs sons, and Ms. Perez with her 2 sons. Each of these families endured unbelievable hardships, but never gave up. I knew I found my place and purpose in Houston.
When I was offered the position of Client Care Coordinator, I felt like it was not only an answer to my prayers but realized that my prior work and life experiences provided the tools needed to help families in crisis. The skills I learned living in South-East Asia for twenty years (teaching, writing, and starting two non-profits), then repatriating to New Orleans just before Hurricane Katrina hit (volunteering at my church providing supplies and staging homes for members who lost everything in the storm), and then managing senior living communities (helping meet the social, financial, spiritual, and physical needs of seniors), help me do my job serving our clients.
Each member of our Katy Responds team has unique gifts and skill sets as well as a love for Jesus and for our neighbors. I am overwhelmed by the generosity of our donors and volunteers. Each day brings another blessing out of heartache. I love that my husband, my son, and my grandchildren also enjoy volunteering and supporting Katy Responds.
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