Katrina Survivors Reunited
A family separated by Hurricane Katrina has reunited with the help of a Detroit non-profit and a senator.
New Orleans native Jeremiah Thomas had not seen or heard from his mother, aunt or grandmother since the devastating hurricane back in 2005. They didn't know if he was even living and vice versa.
His family relocated to Jacksonville, FL, and Thomas went to Detroit.
Joseph Basler, a Detroit Central City Community Mental Health social worker, searched a website that helps families find one another for Thomas.
"Together we searched the internet site, found a family name, a phone number, and hit the jackpot," said Basler.
Senator Hanson Clarke also played a major role in this family's reunion. His office obtained donations for roundtrip airfare and a hotel stay for Thomas's family.
The joyous reunion occurred on December 6.