Help Helen Robin Recover From Hurricane Ida

Over the past weekend on the 29th of August, Hurricane Ida ravaged southeastern Louisiana leaving the people either forced to evacuate or begging for support in the confinements of their homes. 16 years to the date Hurricane Katrina similarly left the people of the state of Louisiana looking for answers as to what to do about their lives after they had been flipped upside down. As I was one of those families, I know the struggle to an extent about those that had to fight and recover their hope and livelihoods these past 16 years.

One lady by the name of Helen Robin was one of the New Orleans citizens that had to endure the struggles along the journey from losing everything in 2005 to finding out recently that everything they had worked for in their lives and especially post-Katrina would not be there when they return home next week. Helen Robin moved to LaPlace Louisiana in the past few months to help her struggling family as her husband became brutally sick as she acted as a caregiver, as she raises a five-year-old and a 3-year-old because they were abandoned by her mother, and continuously tries to financially stabilize the family with very little help. Mrs. Robin was informed recently that their home in Laplace Louisiana had completely flooded, and she would not return to any belongings.

Helen Robin exemplifies what it means to be a Louisianian. To have hope and to treat a neighbor as their own. Helen raised my sister and me through our adolescence and in the last few years has acted like a grandmother. If you know my family, you have been touched and changed by the selflessness of Helen Robin. She has in many instances put her family on hold to allow herself to see the smiles on our faces at our greatest accomplishments including getting on a flight after hip surgery to watch my sister attend her college graduation. Mrs. Robin has never asked for anything in return from my family or even of her own. This is because she receives joy in knowing that those that she has loved are able to live with just a little extra bit of ease that she can produce.

In New Orleans Mrs. Robin is a staple in the New Orleans East community as the friendly neighborhood mother, that can always provide someone a helping hand or the casual conversation that can enrich anyone’s life. Mrs. Robin currently is in Houston holding back the tears of what could come next in her life as she approached the horrifying realization of what may come next when returning home. Mrs. Robin is a story, among many, of people that are aching for help from those that are fortunate enough to have a sure roof over their head and food on their plate.

I am making this page because I believe that the generosity of people and the ability to reach a far network will allow Mrs. Robin to experience a sense of hope and assurance when returning home next week, that people are returning the endless love that she has exemplified over the years. I hope that many people can relate and look at a loved one and understand the pain this gives me and my family to have to watch such a passionate and selfless figure suffer so bad in these trying times.

Lastly, there are many amazing organizations that are helping these amazing south Louisiana people, I am creating this though because it will offer an opportunity for you to hopefully see the hope in a story. Although Red Cross has been on the frontlines, they have turned away many aching folks as they simply do not have the manpower to help every individual case at this time. Hopefully, you can understand the beauty and caring nature of Helen and donate to her will hopefully allow you to watch and change the life of someone that is not sure what is left for her and for her home.