Houston Newsmakers Dec. 17: Documenting Harvey for history, Habitat for Humanity, more

HOUSTON – Do you have a story to tell about your Hurricane Harvey experience? The University of Houston is looking for you.

The UH Center for Public History is initiating an oral history project called "Resilient Houston: Documenting Hurricane Harvey."

Monica Perales is the director of the Center for Public History.

"We really see oral history as an opportunity to engage with the public to see what affected them and what matters to them and for them to feel like they have a voice in coming up with solutions and policies moving forward,” she said.

Associate professor Todd Romero, Ph.D. is co-director of the project.

“Hurricanes are central to the way we live in Houston,” he said. “It’s shaped the history of the city and, right now, it’s the most pressing thing facing our community.”

Find out how you can take part in this week’s Houston Newsmakers with Khambrel Marshall.

ALSO

Houston Habitat for Humanity has been a godsend for people wanting to own their own homes. The organization has built more than a thousand homes in the Houston region since 1988.

Hurricane Harvey destroyed 176 those homes and, now, Habitat’s executive director Alison Hay, told Khambrel Marshall, the affected homeowners are a big priority.

“Those are the people we’re trying to get back into their homes with our repair. Homeowners can repair it themselves and we can help them with appliances and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) or we go in and do all the repairs,” Hay said. 

AND

The Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans was granted one of the first charter schools given the right to operate in the state of Texas.

The George I. Sanchez Charter school continues to add grades and students, who in some cases are taught by teachers, such as Roger Ramirez, who once were students there.

“Not only do we gear students and individuals to improve themselves and their family but we encourage kids and we give them the opportunities to better their lives so that once they climb the ladder of success they can reach down and help the next generation,” Ramirez said. 

Giselle Easton, the principal of the school, told Khambrel Marshall the school is uniquely successful.

Houston Newsmakers: Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m.

• Monica Perales, Director UH Center for Public History , 713-743-3087, http://www.uh.edu/class/ctr-public-history/  email: HarveyCPH@uh.edu  Twitter: @UHHouston 
 
• Todd Romero, Ph.D., Associate Professor of History and Co-Director, Documenting Hurricane Harvey Project, 713-743-3087, http://www.uh.edu/class/ctr-public-history/ email: HarveyCPH@uh.edu Twitter: @UHHouston

• Allison Hay, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity Houston, 713-671-9993, www.Houstonhabitat.org  Twitter: @HoustonHabitat

• Giselle Easton, Principal, Sanchez Charter School, 713-967-6700 https://www.aama.org/sanchez-charter-school/  Twitter: @InspireLatinos

• Roger Ramirez, Teacher, Sanchez Charter School, 713-967-6700,  https://www.aama.org/sanchez-charter-school/ Twitter: @InspireLatinos