Coalition of Community Organizations (COCO)

Through Harvey, Imelda, Uri, and both Winter Storms over 15 years, COCO has led food and water distributions; and paid out thousands in funds to repair damage from these storms for pipes, roofs, etc. Additionally, COCO is partnered with Fair Housing and Neighborhood Rights in on-going advocacy to help Houstonians find resources and track down lost COH or GLO apps for Harvey Home Repair. With many homes requiring repair in the years since Hurricane Harvey, the neighborhood has struggled to recover after Tropical Storm Imelda (2019), Winter Storm Uri (2021), and a second winter freeze (2022) worsened Hurricane Harvey damage from 2017. These storms highlighted the ongoing lack of coordinated efforts or resources for food and water distributions, centralized or available repairs, and rescue efforts for Fifth Ward. In 2021, this neighborhood like so many others in "The Arrow" became an epicenter of climate vulnerability. These climate shocks have further exacerbated the neighborhood’s underlying vulnerabilities: stemming from decades of structural inequities and systemic racism. In 2022, COCO's Founder/Director Reverend James L Caldwell, a member of the Faith Revitalization Board for Carl Walker Jr. MSC, coordinated with Deacon Larry Warren and the other board members to address the hyperlocal concerns about resilience in Fifth Ward. This included coordinating with the Board for approval to have Carl Walker Jr listed as a Red Cross Emergency Shelter. CW's Facility Manager, Deacon Larry Warren and the Board, get to determine when to activate the shelter. COCO's Block Captains volunteered 6 hours to clear out space for the Red Cross supplies. Additionally, Fifth Ward Missionary Baptist Church members attended Red Cross Training. COCO's Block Captains attended 8 weeks of Houston OEM CERT Training. https://www.houstonoem.org/ COCO also became a member of the Houston Tool Bank to add this critical element to the disaster plan after reading about CouncilPerson Tiffany Thomas's plans for the Alief District. Modeling after the West Street Recovery supply plan and ring layout of mini-hubs, COCO partnered with Alvin Byrd of the Prince Civic Club Association to create a secondary location for its supplies. Through conversation with West Street Recovery, team members it was discovered that a home in Fifth Ward was part of their hub network and that resident's home was built up and now included solar. As a faith leader, Reverend Caldwell sought out faith-centered disaster recovery services. COCO also became a member of Texas Congregational Disaster Readiness. https://txcdr.org/ Texas CDR and its member Congregations are planning, preparing, and organizing for the next disaster response. Membership also affords COCO access to Crisis CleanUp (https://www.crisiscleanup.org/about) and AlertMedia, a mass emergency notification platform (https://www.alertmedia.com/)!

COCO has also installed air monitors in Fifth Ward in preparation of events that often occur in Deer Park; which might impact us. There are 5 Clarity Air Monitors like the COH and Harris County's. Additionally we are partnering with TCEQ and Precinct 1 for a TCEQ Regulated Air Monitor at Finnigan Park in Fifth Ward.

Member /

2023

08/05/2023

• Harris County LTRC

Operations and Research Manager

[email protected]

(832) 923-8257

(832) 356-4646

Founder/Director

[email protected]

(832) 231-9176

(832) 231-9176

Daniella Flanagan, 08/05/2023