AFTER THE FLOOD, FEDERATION
Holocaust survivor Monique Ritter lived a peaceful life in the Houston home she shared for nearly 40 years with her husband, Erwin, also a survivor. She never expected to find herself trapped on the island in her kitchen for hours, watching flood waters rise around her during Hurricane Harvey. When Monique returned home, she discovered that 3+ feet of water had destroyed her most precious possessions: drawers full of photographs that had belonged to her grandmother. But she refused to part with these crucial links to her past. Her grandson called Federation-funded Jewish Family Service (JFS), and they immediately sent over a crisis counselor to help. Now, as the elderly Ritters figure out what’s next, a JFS case worker is helping them navigate options and get financial assistance for immediate and long-term needs.