In the Wake of Hurricane Beryl: AVANCE-Houston’s Determined Path Forward

Courtesy of Avance-Houston

After enduring the devastating derecho in May 2024, AVANCE-Houston, Inc. has been heavily impacted once again—this time by Hurricane Beryl. The executive director, Luz Flores, shared that out of their 18 centers, only six currently have power. Staff and families are similarly affected, with many lacking basic utilities during a time of an extreme heat warning.

With over 2,000 families served by nearly 400 employees, AVANCE is navigating significant hurdles, including power outages, disrupted communications, and insurance claim difficulties. Despite these challenges, Luz emphasized the resilience and dedication of their team, who continue to work from home and assess the situation via crisis teams. They are sending out surveys to understand the impact on families and disseminating critical information through their mobile app and social media—both in English and Spanish.

Luz highlighted the importance of prioritizing employees’ well-being, stating,

“If employees can’t take care of themselves and their families first, they can’t take care of others.”

She remains optimistic, expressing gratitude for her resilient and committed staff, her resourceful Advisory Board, and other organizations, including the National Head Start Association (NHSA), for their continued support.

“NHSA always reaches out, and they’re always available to help,” said Luz. “When we were hit with Hurricane Harvey and Beryl, Yasmina checked on us, provided resources, and helped us find funding sources.”

Courtesy of Avance-Houston

When natural disasters impact member Head Start and Early Head Start programs, NHSA is there to help with recovery through the Disaster Relief Fund. The funds are available for the program, employees, and families. The importance of this fund cannot be overstated, especially as more named storms and hurricanes are expected this season based on the National Hurricane Center’s early forecast.

If you experience a natural disaster, don’t hesitate to apply for the Disaster Relief Fund. This resource can provide essential support during challenging times, helping programs, employees, and families recover and rebuild.

NHSA applauds Luz and her team for their courage and commitment to charting a path out of this crisis for AVANCE and the families while dealing with the impact of the hurricane personally. Their resilience inspires all in the face of adversity.