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Four Years After Katrina ... So Much Work to be Done:
(pictures to right and below)
It has been four years since Hurricane Katrina, but many families are still struggling to recover. Derrick Tapper, originally a Southerner, came all the way from Canada to help. Derrick utilizes funds from the Catalyst Foundation and volunteers from churches and other groups to help many families still struggling, like Curtis and Lydia … volunteers recently replaced their roof, ceilings, and all of their windows. For this project, a local church in Mobile furnished the volunteers and a local building-supply company provided windows at a reduced cost.
Volunteers of America continues to help families in Alabama through a recent $13 Million SSBG Disaster Relief grant. However, these funds can not be used for families in Mississippi where over 6,000 Mississippi residents still live in FEMA trailers. Also, there are some families in Alabama who do not qualify, such as Trong and Ana C., because they did not hold the title to their home until two weeks after Katrina. Since they were not the actual owners at the time, no monies were available to their family after the storm. Derrick told us, “Thanks to The Catalyst Foundation of Burlington, Ontario, Canada, partnering with Volunteers of America Southeast, we were able to renovate a bathroom that required new joists, new floors, and a new external wall. We dry-walled the bathroom and replaced the tub, the toilet, and the vanity.”
Clarence and Linda lost everything in Katrina. They received a small grant but an unscrupulous contractor took their money and left much of the work unfinished. Recently, a couple of volunteer teams helped with some repairs. Unfortunately, they still need plumbing, electrical, HVAC, drywall, insulation, roofing, and siding.
The Fairley family’s home was in the center of Katrina’s landfall in Waveland, MS. They lost everything. Volunteers of America furnished a steel frame, the Catalyst Foundation furnished the siding, and a host of volunteers built the home.
Rick and Lisa B. also live in Pascagoula. This couple is using their old home as a center for individuals overcoming addictions. Rick and Lisa have depended on volunteer teams to help them build another home for themselves and their daughter's family. According to Derrick Tapper, “Our team crawled in the attic and installed 2400 square feet of insulation. They were so grateful they invited us all back for a fish and shrimp fry on the Saturday following the project. My wife and I found their story miraculous. They stayed in their house during Katrina and watched the storm waves come in and go through the house with all of their belongings, as well as all the cars and debris that were tossed around like matchsticks.”
MacLelland Baptist Church in D'Iberville lost their roof and all their insulation and drywall was ruined in the fellowship hall. It was not until this past January that they were in a position to purchase materials. Derrick said “we were available to supply some help. We partnered with Arlington Heights Baptist Church’s Pastor, Ben Carlisle, and helped with clean up.”
Jerry P. of Pascagoula, MS has been living in a FEMA trailer for the last fours years hoping someone would come along and help. Help has finally arrived, materials have been secured, and Derrick and volunteers are presently working with Jerry to help him rebuild his home. As soon as the task is completed Jerry’s fourteen year-old son, who has been living with his grandparents since Katrina, will be able to move back home with his father.
Of the 64,000 homes destroyed, and 78,000 additional homes damaged in Mississippi, only 30% were rebuilt. Experts estimate it will take an additional 8-10 years to rebuild. We need your support to continue our mission! To find out more, or to help, please call Paul McLendon at Volunteers of America 251-338-1570.
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