Five years after the Gulf Coast was devastated by Hurricane Katrina, families are still displaced, and homes are still vacant. While the rest of the country has moved on, the people of New Orleans live with the remnants of that storm every day.
I just completed a year of service through AmeriCorps with Rebuilding Together Twin Cities, an affiliate of a national non-profit housing organization working to preserve affordable home ownership. Rebuilding Together provides repair and rehabilitation services to low-income homeowners at no cost to the homeowner. As part of my year of service, I spent a week in New Orleans last August. This was my first trip to this incredible city, and I was shocked by the number of homes, whole blocks and neighborhoods, that were still damaged and vacant.
Even though some time has passed and many people have been able to return to their homes, much remains to be done in this region as people are still trying to reclaim their homes and communities. Together with volunteers and sponsors from around the country, the Rebuilding Together network is coming back to fulfill a promise this month. With over 700 homes already rebuilt through their Rebuild 1000 initiative, the Rebuilding Together network will rebuild 50 homes in the Gentilly neighborhood of New Orleans from August 24th through 28th. The goal of this event, Fifty for Five, is not only to help these homeowners return to their homes, but also to raise awareness about the need that still exists in New Orleans and throughout the Gulf.
There are still ways to get involved in this incredible event and to help the people of the Gulf Coast. Text “BUILD” to 85944 to donate $10 to help fund Rebuilding Together’s work in the Gulf Coast. Consider volunteering with one of the Rebuilding Together affiliates located in the Gulf, such as Rebuilding Together New Orleans (www.rtno.org). Follow the Twin Cities team’s efforts in New Orleans through our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/RebuildingTogetherTwinCities or discuss the ongoing need of homeowners in the Gulf Coast with neighbors and friends and help those around you remember that the people in this region still need our help. Collectively, through these seemingly small actions, we can help Gulf Coast residents who are working to reclaim their homes and lives.
~ Michaela Brown is a guest contributor.
Please accept our profound thanks for the work done by Rebuilding Together Twin Cities and for the interest and support from the Twin Cities’ community. People like you understand our world’s interdependence and are part of the reason New Orleans has made the strides they have thus far since 20005. Thank you for making a difference. You inspire me.
Here’s a great story about an elderly Katrina evacuee who returned to her rebuilt home and even found help fighting her diabetes. A government-funded program that’s actually working in post Katrina New Orleans! http://bit.ly/cSh47R