Rebuilding Together Pasadena 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 Presdient, 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'”.

Upcoming 2007 work weeks will take place 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 complete the online volunteer form at www.rebuildingwithcountrywide.org/rebuild1000.

For more information, contact Alan Sisco at:

Alan Sisco
Rebuilding Together
1536 16th Street, NW
Washington DC 20036

800.473.4229

alan_sisco@rebuildingtogether.org