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 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