On Dec. 26, 2003, a 6.6-magnitude earthquake leveled the ancient city of Bam, in Bambouyani's home country of Iran. More than 26,000 people were killed and 75,000 were displaced. The catastrophic earthquake also left more than 3,000 children orphaned.

Bambouyani said he will never forget the feeling of helplessness when he returned to bury his wife and 11-year-old daughter, who were killed in the earthquake.

"There was so much devastation, so many people in the streets left homeless searching for loved ones," he said. "It was just complete chaos."

Today, this soft-spoken sensei isn't just sitting back and waiting for the federal government or other aid groups to solve the ballooning crisis around the Gulf Coast.

With the help of the Six Corners Association, Bambouyani is now spearheading a relief effort to help Hurricane Katrina's victims. Through the Zahra and Sima Bambouyani Foundation, which Bambouyani started in February 2004 to aid children orphaned by the Iran earthquake, he plans to help support a family of five for three months in the Chicago area.

"We want to get them out of a stadium and give them somewhere better to live," said Ed Bannon, Six Corners Association program manager.

Bannon said the cost to support a family for the three months is estimated at $5,000, and they hope with the support of donors they can begin collecting necessities like food and clothing. They are also seeking a building owner that may be willing to reduce the rent for the adopted hurricane family, he said.

If more money is raised, Bambouyani said he wants to continue to help more families that will need housing.