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Rebuilding
Together Pasadena in New Orleans
"The
people of the Gulf Region must not be forgotten. When we rebuild
their homes
we rebuild their spirit." Ernestine
Blue, RT Pasadena President speaking about her work week in
New Orleans. |
Southern California's Rebuilding Together provided one of the
first teams to rehab 3 homes in New Orleans' Algiers neighborhood,
November 16 - 20. Among the first wave of RT volunteers were
Pasadena Affiliate's own President, Ernestine Blue, and Program
Coordinator, David Gooler. The homes are side-by-side and are owned
by 3 elderly siblings and their extended families. The owners
were living in difficult conditions in temporary housing, sleeping
on mattresses on floors. These families had suffered so much
and did not have insurance nor the resources to repair their homes
themselves; 2 of the 3 siblings moved back into their homes for
Thanksgiving and the third moved back just after Thanksgiving.
"We
worked long days in Algiers with other SoCal RT volunteers and an
RT Volunteer from Oakland (CA), and Saris-Regis flew out 19 skilled
craftsmen to work with us; ARG from Virginia worked with Rebuilding
Together Affiliate Volunteers from Montgomery County Maryland -
our desire to let these families know someone cared was of utmost
importance," said Ernestine Blue. "The people of the Gulf
Region must not be forgotten. When we rebuild their homes we rebuild
their spirit."
"When we mentioned to other families or store owners in the
French Quarter we came to help rebuild three homes they were so
appreciative and said, 'thank you for remembering us.'
We cannot afford to fail them."
David
Gooler adds, "The destruction and devastation in New Orleans
is greater than you can imagine. On any scale, it dwarfs our earthquakes
and fires. Most sad is to see the people and their spirit. Imagine
if you had to travel any distance in a city where on almost every
block huge piles of debris that turn out to be everything a family
spent their lifetime working for partially block the street. Imagine
everyday passing houses with water marks high on the walls and miles
of yards where all grass, green plants and flowers are dead; poisoned
by the floodwater. Imagine seeing schools and churches stand empty.
Imagine a city with almost no children. Imagine having to pass houses
everyday with “body inside” spray-painted on them. This
is the reality people must deal with everyday; in addition to what
other loses they have endured."
"In just one week
there I met gracious and charming residents who were so genuinely
appreciative of what my group was doing that it was almost embarrassing.
We were fed and housed by folks who expressed sincere thanks that
someone cared enough to help out. The retired woman whose home we
worked on returned from Texas where she sleeping on a relative’s
couch to tell us 'you were like Angels that came and lifted us up'”.
Rebuilding Together requests each volunteer contribute funds to
for the logistical expenses of a Rebuild 1000 work week. The expenses
include housing, food, insurance, t-shirts, safety equipment and
daily transportation to and from the worksite.
These costs range between $150 and $250 per person per week, depending
on location. Volunteers may choose to use the housing options provided
by the host affiliate or may secure alternative accommodations for
the work week at their own expense. Acadiana and Calcasieu projects'
participation fee is $150, while New Orleans projects' fee is $250.
Arranging your own housing will add to your trip costs, as well
as create logistical challenges for transportation to-and-from the
work site.
Upcoming
2009 work weeks will take place almost monthly in Gulf cities except July
and August. Volunteer teams are asked to arrive on Sunday and leave
on Saturday of that week. We seek skilled project managers, roofers,
electricians, plumbers, carpenters, drywall hangers, handyman volunteers,
people with trucks who will drive to New Orleans, and donations
of frequent flyer miles. Teams should be prepared for difficult
work conditions for multiple days, limited health care resources,
a five day work commitment, and the ability to provide their own
airfare to and from the Gulf. Once there, accomodations, basic meals,
and transportation to and from the work site will be provided.
To
sign up for a Gulf Coast rebuild, please go to the
Gulf Coast Volunteer page and click on the dates and Cities
listing that you would like to work to get to the volunteer signup.
For more information, contact Erin Lawless at:
Erin Lawless
Rebuilding Together
1899 L Street NW, Suite 1000
Washington DC 20036
800.473.4229
erin_lawless@rebuildingtogether.org
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