Harvey Relief for Rodriguez Family

On August 28th of this year, Hurricane Harvey made landfall on Texas ground. The devastating amount of destruction and sadly, the lives lost, was completely unprecedented. At the end of the day, those of us who were lucky enough to survive the dangerous floodwaters are grateful to be able to wake up today and help rebuild the great city of Houston. Here at Bilingual Educators, located in Houston, TX as well, we have decided to sponsor a particular family very dear to us. We, Carlos and Liliana Hernandez, have known this family since their arrival to the US and have attended their same church for serveral years. We are asking that our community help us lend a hand to our neighbors in need.

About this family: Javier Rodriguez and his wife Angela Martinez have been in this country 18 years. Since emigrating here from Colombia, both parents have worked tirelessly to provide a bright future for their three children Nathalia (10th grade), Nicolas (9th grade), and Daniel (4th grade). Javier has worked as a marble installer since he has been in the United States and Angela has dedicated her time towards her children and home. Javier and Angela began making payments towards their home 15 years ago. Although FEMA assistance is going to be given to this family, the funds given do not completely cover the damages done on the home as well as all the furniture, clothes and other things completely lost.

The most immediate concern for this family is that although mortgage payments have been postponed for 3 months ($1,990/mo), the costs are adding up due to the apartment the family is paying rent for now ($1,160/mo) and other living expenses such as food, water, electricity. Because this family needs to make a 3-month mortgage payment of $5,970 by late November while still satisfying immediate living costs, Angela and Javier have concluded they may lose the home they have faithfully paid for the past 15 years due to lack of enough funds. This is a sad reality for many families including Javier and Angela’s that has caught our attention. Funds raised from this page will go directly to the Rodriguez-Martinez bank account to not only save the home they have worked so hard to earn and maintain but to cover immediate living expenses as well. Although efforts to financially support their family are active, the Rodriguez-Martinez family is not able to raise the usual amount of money that they normally make due to the fact that Javier’s work trucks used in his business were overcome by flood water and the insurance company has still not replaced their trucks. This immediate lack of business and employment has further shaken this family.

We have decided to step in and encourage all of our past, current and future students/clients to help us raise funds for this family. Many of us know what it is like to begin a new life in a new country where the language and culture is not understood. Many of us know very well what it is like to work many years for our home and for the better good of our families. We are not sponsoring this family because we expect blessings to come back to us. We are sponsoring this family because we are blessed enough to be able to lend a hand. Any amount is appreciated; please help this family in their pursuit to rebuild their home and lives.

Before and after pictures are shown below. Thank you for all your help.