In late April 2024, severe storms brought flooding inside the Silsbee Public Library in Hardin County, Southeast Texas, causing significant damage to its children’s section.

“We had to cut out sheetrock, rip up the floors, and move all the books, furniture, and everything else out of that section,” said Library Director Cathy Johnson. The extent of the damage was daunting, but Cathy was determined to rebuild.

That’s when the Community Sustainability Team at Communities Unlimited (CU), led by Community Resource Manager Yadira Hernandez, stepped in to assist. Yadira’s outreach to the library marked the beginning of a successful partnership.

During a team meeting in June, Yadira learned about a grant opportunity through the Ladd & Katherine Hancher Library Foundation. She reached out to local public libraries to share the information and connected with Cathy, who detailed the challenges faced in the library’s children’s section. Yadira followed up by emailing the grant details and began researching additional funding opportunities to support the library.

Yadira’s efforts didn’t stop there. She also called other local libraries, hoping they might lend a hand, and eventually discovered a grant opportunity through H-E-B. “Since the grant was only selecting 20 libraries on a first-come, first-served basis, Yadira urged me to apply right away,” Cathy said.

Cathy submitted the application the same day and secured the $1,000 H-E-B grant, which became a vital resource for the library’s recovery. Additionally, Yadira helped deliver $175 worth of donated children’s books.

With support from the H-E-B grant and donated books, the library began reimagining its children’s section.

“We completely revamped the space,” Cathy said. “Previously, our shelves were a plain oak color, but we switched to colorful shelves for the kids. We bought a new rug, a new table, and even opened a STEM lab funded by Entergy. We also added sensory tables. It was a great opportunity to rework the entire space.”

Hardin County falls within the T.L.L. Temple Foundation’s service area, one of CU’s funders. The foundation’s support has enabled CU to provide resources to many communities like Silsbee in the East Texas region that need assistance.

When the library unveiled the renovated children’s section on November 14, the community’s response was overwhelming.

“Over 150 people attended the event,” Cathy said. “It was amazing to see so much excitement.”

Yadira’s involvement extended beyond funding and the unveiling. When Cathy expressed concern about retaining a library volunteer, Kadie Wilkerson, Yadira stepped in again. Kadie, who had been volunteering as part of a work program, lacked a formal job placement. Yadira connected Cathy with workforce contacts, leading to a program reconsideration that could cover 24 weeks of Kadie’s wages through paid work experience and on-the-job training.

“With just three staff members, we’re often overwhelmed,” Cathy said. “Yadira even came to the unveiling despite being in training that day in Lufkin. She’s been a fantastic resource.”

Through collaboration, determination, and Yadira’s resourcefulness, the Silsbee Public Library recovered from the flood and became an even stronger community resource. The revamped children’s section is a testament to the power of partnership and resilience.