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lowernine.org
still hard at work!
Please take a moment to revisit the Lower Ninth Ward and catch up with us and our work!
Most people are unaware that 100% of the homes in New Orleans' historic Lower Ninth Ward were declared uninhabitable by FEMA after Hurricane Katrina and the subsequent breaches of the Industrial Canal Levee. When combined with the devastation in the adjacent communities of Arabi and Chalmette, the Lower Nine became part of the largest area in U.S. history to be declared completely destroyed. While the population of the city of New Orleans has returned to over 80% of its pre-Katrina number, the population of our neighborhood stands at 19%.
Some may ask why rebuild the Lower Ninth Ward? The answers are as numerous as the residents displaced by the disaster. In the broader sense, it sends a signal to our government, our fellow citizens, and, most importantly, the residents of the Lower Ninth Ward themselves that neglect of human beings, the loss of their possessions and livelihoods, regardless of their race or economic status, will be tackled head-on by caring and energetic fellow Americans. The much simpler answer is "This place was home" - home to thousands of hard-working people whose families had lived here for generations, and who want to return.
We thank you for your efforts thus far and for your continued support. Please visit us soon - you know where to find us!
lowernine.org
6018 el dorado street
new orleans, la 70117
504.278.1240
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Every spring, New Orleans becomes home to pirates from across the country for one festive week. This year, lowernine.org was fortunate enough to work with volunteers from NOLA Pyrate Week, whose motto is "take what ye can, give something back." See WWL's morning show coverage here featuring lowernine.org executive director Rick Prose, our spring featured volunteer Pat Robbins and a number of the swashbuklers on hand helping us rebuild. THanks for coming out everyone! Aaaaaarrrrrggghh!
Special thanks to Joe Rawley and the WWL crew for coming down to see us! |
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The Villere Farm |
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It's spring planting season!
Most of our long-time supporters are aware of our commitment to providing as holistic a response as possible to the needs of the people in the Lower Ninth Ward, and addressing the lack of availability of affordable organic produce has been a priority from day one. Now, thanks to the generosity of our friend Howard Foster (Junior to those of us who know and love him), and the efforts of Brennan Dougherty, our community garden manager, we are turning unused lots into urban agricultural oases. Junior has given us a three year lease on a storm-damaged property he owns on N. Villere Street as the pilot plot for this project, and Brennan has done wonders in terms of whipping the place into shape and getting the ball rolling and the plants growing!
Brennan has had tons of help from Jonah Tabb, as well as the many incredible groups who have joined lowernine.org's efforts at The Villere Farm. Everyone has been excited about digging but then once you've gutted houses, done mold remediation and hung sheetrock, a turn in the fresh air is pretty exciting! So far we've planted Chilean zucchini, bush beans, okra, peppers, Swiss chard, heirloom tomatoes, radishes, peas, and collard and mustard greens. The okra and zucchini are over an inch tall and the beans are growing so fast you can watch them. Okay, not really - but almost! Exciting times. for more on The Villere Farm and other neighborhood initiatives in urban farming and community gardening, visit eggplantbrigade.blogspot.com or by visiting the Lower Ninth Ward Urban Farming Coalition at www.lowernineurbanfarming.org
[These sites, like the rest of the Lower Ninth Ward, are under construction! There's still some good information there, and if you need more, you can call our office at (504) 278-1240.] |
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One Volunteer's Story |
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Patrick Robins came to New Orleans in December of last year and just left lowernine.org at the beginning of this month. He was reluctant to be featured as this season's volunteer story, but we convinced him it was for the greater good!
Two weeks after his arrival, with prior experience in basic framing, Pat was ready to be a crew leader, and took on our most ambitious new project - Ms. Vibiana Thomas' house. On that project, Pat learned insulation, rough and finish drywall, door and window hanging, trim and baseboard installation, tool usage, and hardwood and laminate flooring instillation skills. He was also the best crew leader we had on the paperwork end - you could always count on Pat to have his progress reports up to date!
The hardworking team with their crew leader. When asked how he kept his volunteers motivated, Pat smiled. "How can you not be motivated here?" he asked, "Look around..."
Patrick will be greatly missed and will always have a home with lowernine.org should he care to return. Best of luck, Pat! |
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A spring update
from executive director
Rick Prose |
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Let me begin by saying thank-you to all our generous donors and our hard-working volunteers. We would never be able to carry on rebuilding homes in the Lower Ninth Ward without them.
To date, lowernine.org has worked on over 60 properties. 15 families have returned to homes completely rebuilt by lowernine.org and another 10 families have returned home with assistance from us - a total of 75 residents of the Lower Ninth Ward.
We still need your help. We at lowernine.org know these are tough economic times, and we don't need to tell you, our stakeholders and friends that in times of need, the services nonprofit organizations provide their communities are that much more important. This spring, please consider a donation to lowernine.org. Click here for more information on how to help.
Consider taking a page out of Lauren Goldberg's book. Lauren volunteered with lowernine.org and is getting married this summer. Instead of bridal shower gifts, her guests have been encouraged to make donations to lowernine.org on her behalf - thanks, Lauren, and thanks to your friends and family! Congratulations on your upcoming marriage - lowernine.org wishes you all the very best!
Birthdays, baby showers, and other occasions also offer the opportunity to give back. Please contact us if you want to arrange something similar.
Again, thanks for all your support. Please share our mission and our information with family and friends, and please stay in touch.
In service,
Rick Prose
executive director
lowernine.org |
| Our Sponsors |
Visit Our Sponsor
lowernine.org wishes to thank The United Way of Greater New Orleans, The Otto and Fran Walter Foundation, CHF International, The Denver Foundation, The Annenberg Foundation, and the Midler Family Foundation for their generous support. |
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Volunteers |
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Darren McKinney grew up in the Lower Ninth Ward and works with us every day. We couldn't love or appreciate him more, and if you have the privilege to meet or work with him, you'll understand what we mean.
Amy Taylor hosted a bike show for lowernine.org in Coshocton, Ohio this spring called Riders 4 Relief. Special thanks to Amy's boss Tom Edwards at Auer ACE Hardware - he matched funds raised dollar for dollar! Thanks, too, to the kind people of Coshocton, who are no strangers to lean times themselves. It goes to show you don't have to have a lot to do a lot of good. We'll see Amy again, we know - how about it, Tom? Ready for a volunteering vacation?
Ian Gallogly rakes up debris after finishing gutting a bathroom. Ian has been with lowernine.org since early April and plans to stay through June - thanks for joining us, Ian!
Of course there are too many hardworking volunteers driving the recovery of the Lower Ninth Ward for us to ever thank them all...we appreciated everyone who works with us - for a few hours, a few days, or longer! |
| Special Thanks |
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lowernine.org is pleased to announce our new partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana
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Thanks for taking the time to visit with us.
lowernine.org
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