Survivor Stories, Byron
Three-year-old Byron fled from Hurricane Katrina with his 10-year-old sister and their parents, Felicia and Byron Sr. The four are now staying temporarily at a Roseland Apartment site in
East Dallas with extended family members who have also been displaced. Under the watchful eyes (and hand) of his dad, Byron Jr. is getting used to a new neighborhood and friends. Their temporary home is
bare with the exception of an air mattress on the floor, a couple of blankets and a sparsely stocked kitchen. They are grateful to be here and have a roof over their heads as they lost everything in New
Orleans.
Felicia and her husband are both employees of the New Orleans Housing Authority. Felicia worked as a clerk and Byron in maintenance. They are both now on a waiting list to transfer their employment
from the New Orleans Housing Authority to the Dallas Housing Authority.
Both cannot say enough about the help they have received since arriving in Dallas. Their daughter already started school wearing a donated uniform and backpack stuffed with supplies. And thanks to a
local church, the rest of the family has clean clothes and toiletries.
“We need a few days to get settled, but then we will be ready to get back to work,” says Felicia. She and her husband have decided that they will stay in Dallas, “We like the neighborhood, the school
and the kids feel safe here,” she says.
