Bessie Fletcher [BF], age 47, is a Rita survivor from Lake Charles, Louisiana [LCL]. The youngest of 3 daughters born to her parents. Her elder sister took over raising BF after her parents died when BF was a young age. She was originally born in Cleveland, Texas. However, BF lived in Seattle, Washington in her early years and later moved to Houston where she lived for approximately 14 years before moving to LCL to be with family. BF enjoyed living in LCL and descibes it as, "It takes a village to raise a child". She found that true in LCL where she was raising her children as a single parent. When the news of hurricane Rita came BF and her family of nine decided to evacuate to Lafayette, La. but, had to move to Alexandria; La. only to be told they were full, before finally ending up in a church shelter in Shreveport, La. It proved to be a blessing. It reminded her of home. Everybody had chores and were like one big community. After returning home she finds that most of her clients businesses had been impacted and that affected her income tremendously as a Sales Professional. BF decides to leave LCL and return to a place that she was familiar with Houston. She is now living in a new home in Channelview, Tx. with her daughter and son and they are rebuilding their lives one day at a time.