Phasing Out The GRB

New Orleans, U.S.A. - September 13, 2005

The numbers of guests here at the convention center is dwindling as evacuees find more permanent housing or are relocated to smaller shelters. We are now working in the Command Center here at the GRB Convention Center and have been seeing an increasing need to communicate and assist the evacuees to move on to a more sable and proper housing. As the days go by, a select few now see this place as their new home, embracing luxuries that they may not have had. One girl even asked a member of the Command Center if she could get a wake up call in the morning. In a somewhat sarcastic tone, it was pointed out that there are no phones near their cots. No problem, came the reply, she had a cell phone we could call. There have been a few nights when the number of guests does not decrease but actually increases. A lot of energy is now being focused in helping the guests find housing, jobs and assist in the endless paperwork for FEMA, Department of Licensing, Social Security and other services we take for granted such as credit cards companies.