Harvey relief efforts highlighted at event

Group looks to support Asians, Pacific Islanders

Luisa Blue has seen firsthand the effects of natural disasters.

In the Philippines, she witnessed the aftermath of a typhoon. Her colleagues displaced by Hurricane Katrina moved to Houston to start a new life.

“Now they are going through another catastrophe,” Blue said during a press conference Wednesday at the Asian Community Development Council of Nevada on Jones Boulevard.

Blue, executive vice president of the Service Employees International Union, was a speaker at the press conference, held to highlight efforts to help victims of Hurricane Harvey.

Among the other speakers were representatives from U.S. Sen. Dean Heller, R-nev., and U.S. Rep. Dina Titus, D-nev., offices. Nevada Assemblyman William Mccurdy, representing District 6, and Assemblyman Chris Brooks, representing District 10, also spoke.

“It really does take a village,” Blue said of relief efforts. “Absolutely make sure that you are donating to the right organization that is going to get that money to the people.”

Houston has a significant population of Asian and Pacific Islanders in the United States, Blue said. The Asian Community Development Council created a link on its website to donate specifically for Asian

American and Pacific Islander families through its Houston affiliate, Oca-greater Houston.

“The community is a model minority, and often forgotten about,” said Karl Catarata, civic engagement fellow at the Nevada council. “People think we are rich, or smart, and don’t necessarily need the resources.”

Luis Vega, regional representative at Heller’s office, said Hurricane Harvey has been tragic.

Vega said Heller will vote in the Senate at the end of the week to approve the almost $8 billion in relief funds passed by the House of Representatives on Wednesday.

Brooks said he hopes the Asian council will serve as a hub to rally support for storm victims.

“We’re seeing people all over the country helping each other out,” he said. “It makes me proud to be a neighbor to them, and a fellow Nevadan and fellow American.”

Mccurdy said Americans are stronger when they come together around a cause.

His office is looking to gather food and clean water, as well as baby food and clothes. He commended the Nevada responders who went to Houston to help out.

Contact Briana Erickson at berickson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5244. Follow @brianarerick on Twitter.