Shelter From The Storm

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Baylor and the Waco community rallied to provide survivors from the Gulf Coast with support, supplies and shelter.

In its initial response, Baylor offered to accept students displaced from universities in the storm-ravaged areas. As of Sept. 7, 25 undergraduates had been admitted, said James Bennighof, vice provost for administration. A few graduate students also had enrolled at George W. Truett Theological Seminary and the Baylor Law School (www.baylor.edu/admissions).

University Ministries identified 200 current Baylor students from those areas damaged by the hurricane. "We've contacted every student who has a zip code in an area that's been affected and touched base with them to make sure of any immediate needs," said Byron Weathersbee, BSE '85, interim University chaplain. "There have been a few students who have been greatly affected -- their families have lost everything." He said that in some cases, financial assistance has been given, and Counseling Services has formed a support group specifically for these students.

Offerings for the relief fund were taken during chapel services through September. "We are encouraging our students to get out there and put the gospel into action. There's no time to talk, it's time to take action," Weathersbee said.

The Student Government organized Paws for a Cause, through which Baylor employees and students can contribute. All funds raised will be given to Buckner Baptist Benevolences and Texas Baptist Men, which will give 100 percent of donations to the relief efforts (www.baylor.edu/paws4cause).

The Mayborn Museum Complex donated backpacks filled with school supplies, gift certificates for clothing and free museum passes for children dislocated by the storm. Baylor athletics joined with the American Red Cross and other Baylor student groups to collect funds for Katrina victims at a football game. Truett Seminary served as a collection site for material donations, and Baylor choirs held a joint benefit concert Sept. 9.

Baylor students will be involved in University-sponsored cleanup efforts in the Gulf Coast during fall break Oct. 21-23, and alumni can participate through regional Steppin' Out days. Baylor's alumni Web site (www.baylor.edu/alumni) also lists resources for receiving and providing job opportunities, shelter and donations in Texas. More than 2,100 alumni live in the areas affected by Katrina, said Alan Bowden of the Baylor Network alumni services.

Diana Garland, dean of Baylor's School of Social Work, organized a planning meeting Sept. 2 of local churches and nonprofits at which about 150 city officials, community leaders and Baylor faculty, staff and students were present. "The meeting activated the local groups who wanted to know what to do and what we could expect locally," she said. "We now have a network that was not in place before."

Seventh and James Baptist Church, located behind Waco Hall adjacent to the Baylor campus, and nine other Waco churches, offered shelter and provided meals and clothing donated by local businesses. Within one week of the storm, Seventh and James and two other churches had helped 100 people displaced by the storm, said Mary Darden, MSEd '91, moderator of the church who coordinated Seventh and James' initial relief efforts. "We are grateful for the outpouring of support and help," she said.