Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund
Vida Yao, assistant professor of philosophy at Rice University, writes in suggesting that people interested in helping those affected by Hurricane Harvey contribute to the Hurricane Harvey Community Relief Fund. She says:
“I know that it can be difficult to decide how to use one’s money most effectively, and that many may be rightly skeptical of certain organizations. But on the ground, and knowing the people involved, I can vouch for this one.”
Here is how they self-describe their efforts:
Rebuilding in Houston will be most challenging for marginalized communities. Nearly a quarter of Houstonians live in poverty — approximately 550,000 people. We estimate that there are 575,000 undocumented immigrants in the Houston metro area. We will work to move the material aid vulnerable Houstonians need to ensure their access to critical services — from first response and basic needs to healthcare, housing, immigration.
The link to contribute is here.
Philosophers and other academics in the affected areas are welcome to write in with accounts of how they and their schools have been affected, requests for assistance, etc.
photo: Christian Tycksen via Reuters
photo: Mark Ralston / Agence France-Presse / Getty Images
Disaster relief and assistance organizations often do not adequately service disabled people. Portlight Inclusive Disaster Strategies is directed specifically at providing disaster relief and assistance to disabled people. They have (among other things) set up a hotline for disabled people affected by Hurricane Harvey. Please consider also donating to them. You can do so here: http://www.portlight.org/home.html
Following up on my previous comment, here is an interview at The Pacific Standard site that historian David Perry conducted with Paul Timmons, the co-founder of Portlight: https://psmag.com/social-justice/saving-disabled-people-during-hurricane-harvey
This article provides a list of organizations that are working to assist communities of colour and other marginalized communities:
https://www.colorlines.com/articles/how-donate-money-and-other-aid-communities-color-houston