“The difficulty is, when you are a senior citizen, it is so hard to get help, or to know where to get help,” said Lee.

Cerf is the first applicant to the “Helping Houston Rebuild” project to have her pipes repaired after the winter storm. NACC was granted permission from a donor to redo more than just her pipes, and Cerf is staying in a hotel this week while her siding, roof, foundation, and disability deck are also being repaired.

“The way NACC is making this, it’s going to be absolutely beautiful,” said Lee.

The congresswoman stated that she and NACC were working on food distributions and free COVID testing sites when the freeze hit, and suddenly a different need arose.

“In this very area, a senior citizen froze in his bed, died from the freeze, an eleven-year-old boy froze, a grandmother and her three children in another area burned up because of a fire because of the freeze, and of course this wonderful woman’s house lost water, pipes froze, and she just couldn’t survive,” said Lee.

Lee thanked NACC and Meagan Thee Stallion for collaborating with her to start the “Helping Houston Rebuild” project to help those affected. She said that Meagan, who won three Grammys at last night’s awards ceremony, “made us proud last night, but she’s made us proud because her heart is big and she wants to give.”

Current donors towards the special project, “Helping Houston Rebuild,” include Fashion Nova, 300 Entertainment, Mielle Organics, Revlon, Maroon 5, The Coach Foundation, Taraji P. Henson, Dolce and Gabanna, and more. Donations may be made on the website www.helpinghoustonrebuild.org.

The money will go toward rebuilding damaged homes of single mothers and seniors after the recent weather emergency. Applications can be made through www.helpinghoustonrebuild.org. NACC is partnering with Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee’s office for referrals. Order of receiving aid is based on both critical need and a random drawing overseen by a committee ensuring fairness of selection.

Public adjusters will assess the damages to properties and volunteers will perform “muck outs,” removing the water-logged materials before rebuilding can begin. Rebuilding can include fixing plumbing issues, electricity, structural issues with walls and floors, appliances, furniture, and carpet.

A massive volunteer drive is necessary to rebuild as many homes as possible. Volunteers may sign up at www.helpinghoustonrebuild.org.

The special project is expected to last for two years.

Megan Thee Stallion was born on February 15, 1995 in San Antonio, Texas and raised in the South Park neighborhood of Houston before moving to Pearland, Texas at age 14, where she lived for the next four years. She began writing raps at age 16. In 2013, while a student at Prairie View A&M University, she began uploading videos of herself rapping on social media and went viral. Megan Thee Stallion was nominated for Best Female Hip-Hop Artist at the BET Awards in both 2019 and 2020, winning in 2020.