Rebuilding Together
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twitter @rebldgtogthr sign in front of gentilly, new orleans home rebuilt for fifty for five
Like more than 1,000 volunteers from all over the country, I traveled to New Orleans during the last week of August 2010 to participate in (and cover) Fifty For Five, an effort by Rebuilding Together to revitalize 50 homes that are still damaged from Hurricane Katrina. It's been exactly five years since that shocking tragedy, and the news from the Gulf is decidedly mixed. While Sears (which covered my travel expenses), Wells Fargo, HGTV, Choice Hotels and others are contributing significantly to rebuilding efforts -- and much of the work is being done with energy efficiency and sustainability in mind -- there are 100,000 people who haven't been able to return to the Big Easy. Crumbling structures are everywhere and residents grumble that politicians have yet to make good on past promises.
Still, there's no place like New Orleans, and the spirit of the community burns brightly in every nail that is hammered and off every fresh coat of paint.
Lula Ruffin
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lula ruffin in gentilly new orleans waits for her house to be rebuilt after katrina
Lula Ruffin can't wait to move back into a house with her family, thanks to the efforts of Rebuilding Together and its partners.
"Everyone should be able to go green. And it's going to help with our high utility bills," Lula's daughter, Lois Ruffin, explained. Fifty For Five includes some green building elements, such as good insulation, plus Energy Star appliances donated by Sears and GE.
Volunteers Roll Up Their Sleeves
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a volunteer scrapes a window of a house in gentilly, new orleans after katrina
Rebuilding Together volunteers came from all over the country, as well as from surrounding communities. One young woman from New Orleans told The Daily Green that she was happy to help others in her community. "It's great to see everyone moving back home," she said.
Gas Off
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gas off painted on house in gentilly new orleans after hurricane katrina
Reminders of the evacuation and relief efforts abound in New Orleans.
Rescue Marks Persist
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rescue marks on the outside of a duplex in new orleans 5 years after katrina
Even five years after Katrina, many homes are still marked with the notation of rescuers. Each X marks the level of floodwaters, and its quadrants provide information on search date, hazards and number of people (and pets) rescued or found deceased.
Down to the Foundations
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only foundation remains of a home in gentilly new orleans after hurricane katrina
On many lots, Katrina caused so much damage that structures have been razed to the foundations.
Raising Houses
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house raised in gentilly new orleans after hurricane katrina
Although Rebuilding Together doesn't require it, many homes in New Orleans have been raised in the years since the floodwaters. In a number of cases, funding ran out before stairs could be added, leaving bizarre and impractical facades.
Empty Houses
inside empty house in gentilly new orleans after hurricane katrina
"New Orleans neighborhoods can be deceiving," explained Tiffanie Kinney, the grants director for Rebuilding Together, who normally works in Washington. "Sometimes there is more damage inside a home than is obvious from the outside. Here, we're oftentimes working from the studs."
Damaged Homes
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home damaged by hurricane katrina in gentilly section of new orleans
Kinney added, "You'll often see homes that look really nice right next to abandoned lots that look like they haven't been touched since the storm." Recently, the city has been starting to crack down on homeowners who have let their properties get overgrown, but community advocates charge that many former residents have no means with which to afford the fines. Many families have found that the only thing they can afford to do is walk away completely.
Skilled Work
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volunteers for fifty for five rebuilding together work in a home in gentilly, new orleans
Many Rebuilding Together volunteers are professional contractors, who donate their expertise pro bono. This also gives less skilled volunteers a chance to learn a little about construction.
The Superdome Gets a Gold Facelift
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louisiana superdome in new orleans with gold paint
The Superdome may have been the site of misery for many during the 2005 storm, but today it is getting a $85 million upgrade, including a shiny new paint job. The home of the Saints is scheduled to host the NCAA Final Four in 2012 and the Super Bowl in 2013.
Historic French Quarter
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ironwork and planters in the historic french quarter of new orleans
The setting of
A Streetcar Named Desire, the historic French Quarter in New Orleans was spared the worst damage from Katrina. It remains a major tourist draw, and serves as a playground for volunteers to explore after a long day of hard work. There are actually more restaurants open today than before the storm.
Bourbon Street
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World-famous Bourbon Street in the French Quarter is as boisterous and popular as ever.
BP Rage
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fubp shirts in new orleans
Signs of anger and frustration over the ongoing fallout from the
BP Gulf Oil Spill.
Painting in the Rain
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volunteer paints a porch of a house in gentilly new orleans after hurricane katrina
A volunteer from
Rebuilding Together Peninsula in California paints a porch in Gentilly while other helpers scramble to get out of the pouring rain.
Green Building
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empty paint buckets at a fifty for five work site in gentilly new orleans
Rebuilding Together is committed to using green materials, such as
eco-friendly paint, where possible. The New Orleans affiliate also maintains a store where people can buy goods salvaged from renovation efforts.
Volunteers Pitch In
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volunteers build a fence in the gentilly part of new orleans for rebuilding together fifty for five
Volunteers build a fence for a disabled single father in the Gentilly section of New Orleans, as part of Fifty For Five.
Refurbished Home
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refurbished home after katrina in gentilly new orleans
The man who bought this home to raise his children in grew up in the area, and long coveted it. A few years ago, he was hit by a drunk driver, and is now disabled. Volunteers helped him out by building a fence, fixing a porch and making other minor repairs.
Few Buildings Were Safe
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white mansion damaged by hurricane katrina in gentilly new orleans
Storm damage can be seen all over New Orleans, even five years after Katrina. The city's vacancy rate, 27%, is the highest in the country.
Extensive Damage
house in gentilly new orleans damaged by hurricane katrina, with broken roof
Many repairs are ongoing.
Katrina Memorial
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katrina memorial new orleans
This memorial in downtown New Orleans honors the 1,836 people who lost their lives in Hurricane Katrina. The storm was also the costliest in U.S. history, with total property damage estimated at $81 billion (nearly three times that of 1992's Hurricane Andrew).
Gumbofile
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gumbofile sign in new orleans french quarter
Reminders of the unique Cajun culture can be found all over the city. So are advertisements for
Insta-Gator, a nearby alligator "hatchery and ranch." According to literature, "Your guided tour gives you a first-hand account of the Louisiana Alligator Industry, from hatchling to handbag."
Sumptious Seafood
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shrimp cocktail in new orleans restaurant window
New Orleans is well known for its seafood. These days, everything caught in the Gulf is being tested for possible contamination from the Deepwater Horizon spill.
Katrina Who?
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katrina who geaux saints sign in front of new orleans bar
Saints fever runs high in New Orleans, and has helped galvanize the city after the team won the Super Bowl last season.
New Orleans Streetcars
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streetcar in new orleans
The city's famous streetcars still ply main routes, providing efficient transportation as well as historic charm.
Onaje Lombard
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onaje lombard paints his house in gentilly new orleans during fifty for five katrina effort
Homeowner Onaje Lombard helps volunteers restore the Gentilly home he bought two years ago.
Rebuilding Together
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rebuilding together sign for fifty for five, and katrina rescue marks
A closer look at Katrina notation on a home being repaired by Rebuilding Together.
Rebuilding Communities
rebuilding together and plan!t now volunteers convert a home into a church in gentilly new orelans
Volunteers from Rebuilding Together and Morgan Freeman's
Plan!t Now work on converting a damaged home into a community church in Gentilly.
Scraping Away Grime
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women volunteer scrapes rust off security grill in gentilly, new orleans for fifty for five
Things rust quickly in Louisiana's humid climate, so it's difficult to keep up.
Sears Big Switch
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sears big switch appliance recycling truck
The
Sears Big Switch crew was on hand in New Orleans; the program has the goal of replacing 5 million aging, inefficient appliances across the country with new Energy Star models. According to Sears's Paul Campbell, all collected appliances are responsibly recycled.
Pitching In
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volunteer digs up a stump during fifty for five rebuilding together in gentilly new orleans
This volunteer from the local community works on removing a stump in a Gentilly yard that had been ravaged by Katrina. It's difficult, hot work, but the man was all smiles.
Rebuilding Together
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volunteers for fifty for five work on home in gentilly, new orleans with rebuilding together
This home looks relatively tidy on the outside, but suffered extensive damage throughout during Hurricane Katrina. The homeowners can hardly wait to move back in.
Hope for the Future
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shadow of christ on dark church in new orleans
New Orleans has had a long and colorful history, and there's no question that the spirit of the city endures. Although many challenges remain, many residents are hopeful that rebuilding and rebirth will continue. Hopefully, much of it will go green.
Sears covered the travel expenses for this reporter.
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