A Community Anchor During Uncertain Times
How the Perot Museum provided stability and hope for a displaced family
When the Rodriguez family lost their home during the 2019 Dallas flooding, they found themselves in temporary housing with three children under ten and uncertainty about the future. A local nonprofit connected them with the Perot Museum’s community programs, offering free passes and a chance to reclaim some sense of normalcy. What started as a way to give the kids a few hours of escape became something much more profound.
Over the following months, weekly visits to the Museum became an anchor point in their week. The kids had something to look forward to, a place where they felt safe and engaged. The Museum’s educators recognized the family’s story and connected them with additional resources—financial counseling, job placement assistance, and housing support through the Museum’s community partnerships. Staff members took a personal interest in the family’s wellbeing, remembering the kids’ names and interests from visit to visit.
Two years later, the Rodriguez family is in stable housing, both parents are employed, and their oldest daughter is thriving academically with a particular passion for geology. The family still visits the Museum monthly, but now they’re members and active participants in community events. The parents volunteer for Museum programs, giving back to the institution that helped steady them during their darkest days. The Museum had become more than an educational resource—it was the place that reminded them they were part of a community that cared.