Friends, one of my family members has suffered a great tragedy and I’m hoping you can help.  My nephew, Rylan, lost both his home and his grandfather within a few weeks period of time.  The recovery prospects in Baton Rouge are grim, so I’m trying to raise funds to help Rylan and his mom re-establish their home.

The whole story…

 Last week I was in Covington spending time with my dad’s side of the family.  While I was there, I learned that my nephew and his mom’s home is among the many destroyed by the recent floods in Baton Rouge.  Crystal, who has been raising Rylan, who is 5, as a single mother thought she did everything she could to ensure their possessions in their rental home but, as many have found out, renters insurance does not cover flood insurance.  So, their rental home has been destroyed as well as all of the possessions they had in it.  To add to the tragedy, Rylan just lost his grandfather who was the only male role model in his life.  My sweet nephew has endured two tragedies in a short, 3-week span of time.

 Right now Rylan has been relocated to his grandmother’s house in Covington so he has a stable environment and the ability to go to kindergarten.  Crystal, on the other hand, is living from couch-to-couch during the week, grateful for the generosity of her friends and co-workers.   This is not a sustainable way to live.  Unfortunately, housing in Baton Rouge has become very scarce and those landlords offering it have, sadly, chosen to dramatically raise rents. 

 As I watched the tragedy unfold in Baton Rouge, my subconscious mind was wondering how I could help in a meaningful way.  I’ve found my answer!  As President Obama said, it will take more than the federal government’s assistance to help the people in Baton Rouge.  Boy, was he right.  Crystal was given $800 by FEMA to compensate for all of her losses.

 Crystal is in no position to quit her job and relocate to another city.  She is a Geologist working for the state of Louisiana.  Fortunately for her, her job is fairly secure despite the downturn in the oil industry.  Unfortunately, it doesn’t provide much hope for obtaining a position in another city.

 If you’ve been looking for a way to help, I’d appreciate it if you’d consider helping Crystal and Rylan.  If you’ve already contributed to the recovery effort and/or you’re not in a financial position to help, I completely understand.   Crystal is faced with finding a housing solution in Baton Rouge.  She will have to search for the best solution she can, knowing that it will be well out of her price range.  I’m hoping we can help fund a rent overage for at least a year, preferably two to allow some type of true recovery in Baton Rouge, and that we can furnish whatever she finds and help replace all of the personal necessities she lost.  Based on her initial search, her rent will increase by at least $500/month.  I’m trying to help her raise $20,000 so she can endure this recovery period.

I'm making this request as a concerned aunt who lives in Austin, Texas, a neighbor to Louisiana...so close, but so far away.  Please feel free to forward this along to anyone else who is searching for a way to help.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your consideration and support.