From Strangers to Brothers
A True Story of Family and Post-Katrina Relief

By Michelle Harburg

What is a family? Some define family as lineage or people who share a house. This is a story of an untraditional family, of many lives coming together, to help in troubled times.

The story begins with Abraham Webb and Stephen Barquet, who each survived devastating Hurricane Katrina, losing their homes, families, jobs and way of life. Both lived in New Orleans their entire lives and had never before left the city. They met for the first time in the New Orleans Superdome, where they resided for more than a week. During this time, they became like brothers and provided one another with valuable companionship. Stephen had some health problems due to a recent stroke, and Abraham carried his backpack as they were moved from place to place.

After seven days in the New Orleans Superdome, Abraham and Stephen were transferred to the Houston Astrodome. Hurricane Rita arrived and they were evacuated for a third time. Because neither had family, they ventured to California together. On the way to California, their bus broke down and their remaining possessions were lost. Eventually arriving in California, Abraham and Stephen were stranded at a bus station with nothing but the clothes on their backs and a little money, which they used to find a hotel room. The money ran out quickly and they ended up on the streets.

Tracylyn Sharrit, an AmeriCorps*VISTA at the Volunteer Center of the Inland Empire, Inc. in San Bernadino, Calif., wanted to do something for those affected by Katrina. "After donating funds to local agencies and receiving many calls at the Volunteer Center of the Inland Empire for referrals, I knew that I could do more," she said. "I wanted to put my family and myself up for adoption to the needs of Americans in crisis. This is what Americans do."

Soon after signing up online to be matched with those in need, Tracylyn received a call about two homeless men who needed a place to stay. She welcomed Abraham and Stephen into her home. Utilizing her resources at the Volunteer Center, Tracylyn found opportunities to help these two men rebuild their lives. She contacted Wal-Mart, and the retail store gave Abraham and Stephen each $500 for basic living necessities. "Tracylyn's been a blessing," Abraham acknowledges.

Now several months post-Katrina, strangers have become family. "Stephen and Abraham are family in every sense of the word except by blood…When one feels down, the other makes him smile again," emphasized Tracylyn.

Abraham and Stephen have also become part of Tracylyn's family. "I have learned about family and how even though they are a different color and culturally different in many ways, a family is that in which you build to be a part of your life," she reflects.

Abraham and Stephen remained at Tracylyn's home until Thanksgiving. After the holiday, they moved to an apartment approved by the housing authority. "A family is not made of blood, but of love, nurturing and understanding, and that is what Abraham and Stephen received from me and the staff of the Volunteer Center of the Inland Empire."