Next in Series: the Lower Ninth Ward

I had zero room left to announce this in the article, but my next photo-essay will be on the Lower Ninth Ward, which just saw a protest march today.

by Mac McKinney (42 articles, 60 quicklinks, 142 diaries, 961 comments) on Sunday, April 29, 2007 at 12:51:31 PM
 

Common Ground Needs Help Fast

This was just recently posted on the Common Ground Relief website. Common Ground is almost the defacto government for the dispossessed and relocated in New Orleans. They are being put between a rock and a hard place by the "other" government. Their website is http://commongroundrelief.org/  Read on: 

Common Ground Relief Needs Support at This Time

The City of New Orleans has iniatiated a "Good Neighbor" Program. Thousands of residents-many of whom are elderly and disabled--are now facing the possibility of having their homes repossed by the City, if their properties are not gutted, mold abated, and boarded up. Instead of providing the needed resources to those who need assistance, the local government is referring residents to non-profit organizations like Common Ground.

In response, Common Ground is currently organizing another demonstration of national solidarity and civic responsibility. It is again Spring Break Season, and over the next month, close to 1500 volunteers (mostly students) will be supporting New Orleans' residents through Common Ground relief efforts. Consequently, our organization now faces the challenge of funding their meals, basic accomodations, safety equipment, demolition supplies, and transportation to work sites.

Since September 2005, Common Ground has housed, fed and supplied over 12,000 volunteers so that they can to gut houses and clean communities in New Orleans. Those 12,000 volunteers have spent an average of $250 each during their stay in New Orleans, pumping over $2,750,000 into New Orleans economy.

Common Ground receives not one cent of local, state or federal funding for attempting to control and support the many volunteers that come to New Orleans to help. Although Common Ground receives funds for specific projects, such as medical clinics and enviornmental cleanup, we have fallen short on funds to support our volunteer center in the Upper Ninth Ward.

We're hoping that a broad grassroots call for small donations will help us provide the support for the many eager volunteers that want so much to make a difference, but need some basic services while they volunteer. Even a small contribution at this time will help provide volunteers their basic needs for the upcoming spring break.

by Mac McKinney (42 articles, 60 quicklinks, 142 diaries, 961 comments) on Sunday, April 29, 2007 at 8:27:44 PM
 

Thanks Mac

Just catching up with the news today. Your slide show was excellent and I'm glad you were able to include the pics and commentary about the Lafitte. I live across the lake, in Slidell. There was 12 feet of water on parts of my street during Katrina and falling tree damage was heavy.

Most of my neighbors are white, "Christian" and vote Republican. All of our houses, that weren't totally destroyed, are repaired of course.

Guess that about says it all.

by Karl Moore (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 15 comments) on Monday, April 30, 2007 at 12:15:40 PM