The St. Bernard Project Scoop

Caring Made a Difference

2011-06-07T05:56:00.000-07:00

Take a look at the difference the care modeled by Liz McCartney and Zack Rosenburg of St. Bernard Project made in rebuilding a community after Hurricane Katrina.

This video was produced by John Lanning and Cindy Meyer as their Capstone project for the MPA program at The Evergreen State College.

http://caring.phanfare.com/5140383

A Collage of Tumwater Teens April 2011

2011-04-30T08:37:00.000-07:00

The Olympian Newspaper Article

2011-04-09T02:08:00.000-07:00

Check out this newspaper article about Tumwater Teens & St. Bernard Project:

http://www.theolympian.com/2011/04/04/1603429/students-spending-vacation-on.html

Tumwater Teens - Last Day of Work - April 8, 2011

2011-04-08T14:07:00.001-07:00

We worked 1/2 day today - laying laminate flooring, working on window casings, and doors. We stopped by the St. Bernard Project office at the end of the day and we were able to talk to Liz McCartney, co-founder of St. Bernard Project! Back to Washington tomorrow . . .

Tumwater Teens Spring Break Trip - April 7, 2011

2011-04-07T17:43:00.000-07:00

Painting done! The flooring and related supplies arrived, and we unloaded the truck - and then started installing the laminate flooring. . .

Tumwater Teens Spring Break Trip - April 7, 2011

2011-04-07T17:03:00.000-07:00

At lunch today, we visited last year's work site. It had been a fitness center pre-Katrina. We spent five days in 2010 gutting the building and throwing away the debris and equipment. The pastor remembered us and has the picture we gave him hanging up in his office! The former fitness center will reopen as the Garden of Prayer Church. If we come back next year, he said he'd have a barbecue for us :)

Tumwater Teens Spring Break Rebuild Trip (April 6, 2011)

2011-04-06T22:55:00.000-07:00

We were busy finishing the painting, priming, and some drywall today!

Tumwater Teens Rebuild Trip: Day Two (April 5, 2011)

2011-04-06T22:21:00.000-07:00

Day Two at the Dupre house - more mudding, sanding, priming, and painting! Most of the downstairs painting is complete, and we're starting to work upstairs!

The Tumwater Teens Spring Break Volunteer Trip: Our first day of work: April 4, 2011

2011-04-04T17:51:00.000-07:00

Here we are in the Lower Ninth Ward working on Brenda Dupre's home. Most of the day was spent priming and painting the walls, or doing some drywall. We looked at the house next door - untouched since Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. St. Bernard Project has rebuilt over 350 homes so far - more than any other nonprofit in the New Orleans area.

Tumwater Teens - Off to New Orleans

2011-04-03T06:59:00.000-07:00

Tumwater Teens and Chaperones ready to leave for airport!

Tumwater Teens are showing off their t-shirts with sponsor logos on the back!

The Tumwater Teens are students at Black Hills High School. They are (left to right): Erin Schneider, Caleb Montelongo, Trevor Smith, Lindsay Swick, Katie Repine, Tori Stamp, Mariah Kerrihard, Lindsey Meyer, and Tanner Johnson

The Tumwater Teens left yesterday for New Orleans! Tomorrow we start our work rebuilding a home destroyed when the levees failed after Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. St. Bernard Project has rebuilt over 350 homes to date! The Teens have been busy since November getting ready for this trip. First, they raised about $800 for St. Bernard Project in their Home for the Holidays campaign. Then they started putting on garage sales, and selling candy bars, and recruiting local sponsors to help pay for their trip. They were able to fundraise for approximately $350 of the $700 cost for the trip.

Tumwater Teens want to give a special thanks to their local business sponsors:

Titus Will Olympia, a car deal at the Olympia auto mall

South Sound Women's Center, offers medical care for women

Dr. Joseph de Jesus, DDS, PS, Orthodontics for Children and Adults

Garage Sale a Success - Thank you!

2011-03-08T07:32:00.001-08:00

Tumwater Teens raised $804 toward travel expenses at the March 6 garage sale!!!
Thanks to everyone who attended and to our local sponsors:

Titus Will
South Sound Women's Center
Dr. Joseph de Jesus

We're having another garage sale on Sunday, March 6!

2011-03-04T06:29:00.000-08:00

Dont' Forget - Garage Sale Fundraiser Feb. 26!

2011-02-25T09:05:00.000-08:00

Thank you to everyone to came to our garage sale! We raised $500 toward our travel expenses. We are holding another garage sale on Sunday, March 6!!!

The Tumwater Teens Garage Sale Fundraiser: Feb 26 9 am to 4 pm

2011-02-23T11:42:00.000-08:00

The Tumwater Teens - ten students from Black Hills High School - will return to New Orleans April 2 for their third annual rebuild trip. Come to their garage sale!

When: Saturday, February 26, 2011
When: 9 am to 4 pm
Where: 5921 Gold Dust Court SW, Tumwater, WA

Talk with the teens about their rebuilding work for St. Bernard Project in New Orleans, buy some great items (Bow Flex, exercise equipment, prom dresses, books, homemade flies, baked goods, and other misc. items).

Proceeds will defray teen travel expenses to New Orleans

Home for the Holidays Raffle Winners - $765 Raised

2010-11-08T14:04:00.000-08:00

2010 Home for the Holidays Charity Raffle

12-15-10: The Tumwater Teens held the raffle drawing this afternoon

$765 was raised and donated to St. Bernard Project
to help a family move home.

Debi Thompson won a Downtown Olympia Staycation - One night stay in a spa suite at the Phoenix Inn, two tickets to the Olympia Symphony Orchestra and dinner (up to $30) at The Lemongrass Restaurant
Robin Johnson won a Golf Outing and Lunch: 18 holes of golf for two (one outing) at Tumwater Valley and lunch at Brewery City Pizza ($20 gift certificate)
Heather Alexander, Greg Payne, and Miguel Villalobos each won a Holiday Dinner: Relax at Christmas or New Year's Eve - just pick up your choice of a turkey, ham, or prime rib dinner at Albertson's
Leanna Olive won a six-month Basic Family Membership (2 adults and children of the household) at Hands-On Children's Museum
Debi Thompson won Lunch and Art, a meal at The Cheesecake Factory in Bellevue ($25) and a visit to the Seattle Art Museum (2 general admission tickets - not good for the Picasso exhibit)
Kevin Wimsett won Wine Tasting: Private Wine Tasting for up to ten guests at Hoodsport Winery (Value $150)
Heather Alexander won Lunch and a Movie Date: Lunch at the Outback Restaurant ($25 value) and 2 movie tickets at Cinemark Theater at Capital Mall
Keith Meyer won Date Night: Dinner at Olive Garden ($25 value) and 2 movie tickets at Cinemark Theater at Capital Mall
Amy Swick won Kayak Outing and Breakfast for Two: at Tugboat Annies
John Lanning won Dinner in Tacoma at The Old Spaghetti Factory (four entrees up to a $40 value plus an order of garlic cheese bread)
Kelly McNeal won a $50 gift certificate from Fred Meyer
Heather Alexander won an outing (2 adults, 2 children) at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle
John Lanning won a 3D Cake for up to 25 people - from Cake Designs by Deanna
Savannah Morrison won coffee, pastries, tea (up to $25) from Cutters Point Coffee in Lacey
Kevin Winsett won two passes to Wolf Haven
Doug Stamp won a multi-tool kit and lunch cooler tote from Lowe's ($75 value)
Gift Certificates (from various local businesses):
Christina Schneider: Bed, Bath, and Beyond ($20)
Caitlin Meyer: Emerald City Smoothie -Tumwater ($10)
Bryan Swick: Capitol Perks ($10)
Doug Stamp: Costco ($25)

Congratulations prize winners! Thank you local businesses!

Home for the Holidays information from St. Bernard Project

$5 Helps St. Bernard Project Bring Families Home!

2010-04-12T13:35:00.001-07:00

The Tumwater Teens are back home safe and sound, but thousands of New Orleanians are still waiting for a home to return to nearly five years after Katrina.

Want to help? Text "NOLA" to 50555 to give $5 to help St. Bernard Project rebuild New Orleans communities.

Our Last Day of Work - April 9, 2010

2010-04-10T04:56:00.000-07:00

The work is done, and the team is exhausted yet proud of their accomplishments. At the beginning of the week, the enormity of removing tons of debris and gutting the huge building made it seem an impossible. Yet, in just five days the downstairs of the building is gutted and ready for rebuilding. We ended the day at a Welcome Home Party, and were able to tour a home recently rebuilt by St. Bernard Project.

St. Bernard Project is still hard at working rebuilding communities and lives.

Our Fourth Day of Work - April 8, 2010

2010-04-09T04:40:00.000-07:00

What a difference four days can make. The building is becoming an empty, gutted structure - a blank canvas for the creation of a community church.

The day was blessed with hard work, good food provided by church members, and visits with friends. Les Scharfenstein stopped by the work site - a former St. Bernard Project client who now works for the organization part-time. We also visited with Sharon Ansardi - whose house was rebuilt in 2008 by St. Bernard Project after three years of living in a FEMA trailer. Both people expressed overwhelming gratitude for the volunteers who help rebuild their homes and their community.

Our Third Day of Work - April 7, 2010

2010-04-08T03:31:00.000-07:00

Much of the downstairs has been gutted, furniture and gym equipment broken down and removed. The Katrina-ravaged contents that had remained in a gymnasium for over four years are almost gone.

Members of the church arrive daily to look at the progress of their new church and to serve lunch to the 50+ Shirts Across America volunteers.

Our Second Day of Work - April 6, 2010

2010-04-07T03:52:00.000-07:00

The gutting of the old gymnasium (soon to become a church) continues. It's amazing how much can be accomplished in just a day or two. The floor is ripped up - much of the drywall downstairs is gone - and literally tons of debris removed from the building and hauled away.

Our First Day of Work - April 5, 2010

2010-04-06T03:38:00.000-07:00

Imagine walking into a building that no one had touched since Hurricane Katrina - a snapshot in time of August 29, 2005. The water rushed in that day and left a permanent mark at approximately twelve feet. The water remained for weeks, and then left in its wake reminders of what once occupied the space. Office supplies were in the lockers, gym shoes were left by members until their next visit, the child care center had toys and baby clothes waiting, food was still in the refrigerator. Five years later, teens rushed in to restore life to a building that will soon be a church.

Tumwater Teens Rebuilding in New Orleans

2010-04-05T20:16:00.000-07:00

Black Hills High School students and chaperones get ready to start their work
day rebuilding for St. Bernard Project.

Pictured: Back-Lindsay Swick, Marriah Kerrihard, Erin Schneider, Deanna Morrison, Cindy Meyer, Krista Whittaker
Second Row - Tori Stamp, Tanner Johnson, Adam Meyer, Doug Stamp
Front - Lindsey Meyer, Garrison Stamp, Caitlin Meyer

Some pictures of volunteers during our trip.

St. Bernard Project is rebuilding communities in the greater New Orleans area. In addition to rebuilding over 270 homes post-Katrina, providing free mental health services to area residents, and beginning a new "Good Work/Good Pay" rebuilding program - SBP is helping local communities rebuild important community services. This week hundreds of high school and college students, under the leadership of Shirts Across America, are giving up their spring vacations to help in the post-Katrina rebuilding effort. This is the second annual trip for Black Hills High School Tumwater Teens. Today, they gutted a former gym in Meraux, Louisiana that will be rebuilt as The Garden of Prayer church. Within a few weeks, it will open its doors.

Tumwater Teens To Return to New Orleans!

2010-03-12T12:52:00.000-08:00

Tumwater Teens: Lindsay Swick, Garrison Stamp, Lindsey Meyer, Erin Schneider, Tanner Johnson, Tori Stamp, Mariah Kerrihard, and Adam Meyer

The Tumwater Teens will return to New Orleans for the second time to help St. Bernard Project rebuild a home post-Katrina. The teens, all Black Hills High School students, will spend their spring break (April 3-10, 2010) volunteering for SBP. Five adult volunteers will be joining the teens. The teens are part of an initiative planned by Shirts Across America to recruit high school students from the West Coast to assist in the rebuilding effort in the New Orleans area.

Please help the St. Bernard Project win $1 Million on Facebook‏

2010-01-15T10:26:00.000-08:00

Dear friends and family -

St. Bernard Project received over $60,000 from Chase Community Giving votes on Facebook!

Thank you for your votes!

A Changing Landscape

2009-08-31T08:38:00.000-07:00

I just finished my sixth visit to the New Orleans area. As I visited with residents, town leaders, and St. Bernard Project staff, a couple of things came up in the conversation over and over again.

First, of course, is the gratitude the residents and town leaders have for the staff of St. Bernard Project (SBP) and the volunteers who have traveled from across the globe to rebuild the community. One parish council member credits SBP with "having an outstanding role in helping people get back into housing that far surpasses the work of any other organization working in the area." SBP has built 230 homes to date.

Another common thread within each conversation is the changing culture and dynamics within each neighborhood. These good people who have struggled for so hard for so long to get home, are now dealing with the fact that St. Bernard Parish will never again be the same as it once was. People yearn for the close-knit neighborhoods they remembered before Katrina. Yet many neighbors have not returned. Many homes were bulldozed to the ground. Renters have moved in where there were once homeowners. The neighborhoods are now more diverse. The intergenerational friendships they treasured have, in many cases, been permanently dismantled by Katrina.

I have no doubt, though, that these people who endured so much to return home have the courage and generosity of spirit to rebuild the camaraderie and sense of community they so love.

Update: People of the Parish - Kenneth and Barbara

2009-08-31T08:10:00.000-07:00

I was privileged to work on Kenneth and Barbara's home in May 2009. This was the first home rebuilt by St. Bernard Project as they expand into Orleans Parish.

Kenneth is the full-time caretaker for Barbara, who suffers from Alzheimer's disease. Kenneth's gratitude to St. Bernard Project is evident as he credits them being his "angels" by "putting my mind at ease because now I have a home. . .they gave me a light at the end of a long tunnel."

St. Bernard Project put Kenneth and Barbara's home on a fast track rebuild. Kenneth and Barbara had inadvertently purchased and installed Chinese drywall (see Chief Stone's story below), which causes health problems and erodes electrical wires and components. The drywall needed to come down, and a new rebuild begun. Because of St. Bernard Project, they were back in their home within just a few weeks.

Update: People of the Parish - Fire Chief Thomas Stone

2009-08-31T07:44:00.001-07:00

April 2009: Fire Chief Stone with Tumwater Teens, a volunteer work group

Fire Chief Thomas Stone is a well-respected leader within the St. Bernard Parish community. In fact, he and his firefighters were instrumental in rescuing and caring for the St. Bernard Parish residents who were stranded by floodwaters for a week post-Katrina. If you'd like to find out more, a book has been written about this, entitled The St. Bernard Fire Department in Hurricane Katrina by Michelle Mahl Buuck.

Chief Stone took the time to meet with me on two occasions. Once, he spoke with a volunteer group of teenagers I chaperoned. The second time was a few weeks ago, when I was gathering information about the current state of recovery in the parish.

All of the fire stations were flooded during Katrina. Chief Stone is still focused on getting the fire stations and staff level back to pre-Katrina standards. The department has applied for a federal grant, and he is hoping that will come through to provide the department with much-needed funding.

Chief Stone views St. Bernard Project as a "community leader," and states the community would not have survived without them and the thousands of volunteers from all over the country.

Sadly, there is a new threat facing the homeowners of St. Bernard Parish. Many homeowners, including Chief Stone, purchased Chinese drywall - a product known to pose health hazards and erode electrical wires and equipment. Having just finished their homes, many are without the tens of thousands of dollars to tear down this toxic drywall and replace it.

Update: People of the Parish - Miss Joan

2009-08-31T07:19:00.000-07:00

I met Miss Joan in April 2009 when I chaperoned a group of high school students who worked on the flooring in Miss Joan's house. It was rewarding to see the beautiful work the teens did when I toured her finished home!

Miss Joan misses her pre-Katrina neighborhood, where all the neighbors knew each other. Only one-half of her original neighbors are back. She also misses the local church, was has not been rebuilt.

When asked about the community's most pressing needs, Miss Joan echoes those of the other homeowners I spoke with. Number one on her list was a hospital - she has health problems and has to travel to either Slidell or Covington for care. Her personal physician has not returned to the parish. She also wishes there was a grocery store in Violet, along with a place to purchase clothes (like a Wal-Mart).

Update: People of the Parish - William and Sharon

2009-08-31T07:03:00.000-07:00

Happy News! After more than three years in a FEMA trailer, St. Bernard project finished the home of William and Sharon last fall. Their dream came true - they were in their home in time for the holidays.

William and Sharon report that the majority of their neighbors were able to move back. Some homes were torn down, or sold. The neighborhood has become more diverse, which William and Sharon stated gave them a chance to "open up our eyes. . .and learn the world is not just one color."

They appreciate the school leadership that protected their public school system - one they believe is the best in the area.

William and Sharon are concerned about the need for a local hospital, and opportunities for jobs for local citizens. They also mentioned the high rental rates, and the high cost to insure a home - at times 5% of the home's value for a homeowner's policy.

Update: People of the Parish - Miss Melanie

2009-08-31T06:26:00.000-07:00

Miss Melanie with granddaughter, Alayna

I met Miss Melanie in May 2007 when my brother, David, and I worked on her house during a volunteer trip for St. Bernard Project. It was wonderful to walk in and see her in her beautiful home with her granddaughter, Alayna.

Miss Melanie stated St. Bernard Project helped her and many of her friends. Her family has lived in her home since 1952, and she can't imagine living anywhere else.

When asked about St. Bernard Parish post-Katrina, Miss Melanie mentioned there is more crime in the parish than before Katrina, and the children do not go out after dark. Before Katrina, "you knew where the crime was - now it could be anywhere." There is a larger transient population. She also stated there is greater diversity. She believes many people arrived in the community seeking work.

Miss Melanie feels the most pressing need in the community is for a hospital and a store like Wall-Mart, where residents can buy clothes and other items at reasonable prices.

Update: People of the Parish - Miss Leola

2009-08-31T06:01:00.000-07:00

Miss Leola is as gracious and beautiful as ever as she takes the time to talk with us about her community. She is very grateful to St. Bernard Project for getting her back home. "I would not have known how to rebuild without them," she said.

Miss Leola still suffers from sinus headaches - an ailment that appeared after she lived in her FEMA trailer. Miss Leola also suffered a stroke in September 2007, but states she has recovered "pretty well."

One of the most pressing needs in St. Bernard Parish at this time is a hospital. The nearest facility is 45 minutes away. In addition, some of the doctors have not returned to the parish. Miss Leola states that she often waits two or three hours to see a local doctor, even though she has an appointment. Yet, her former doctor is an hour away, and she has to rely on someone to drive her there.

Miss Leola mentioned that her neighborhood has changed. Only one neighbor has returned. Most of the homes which were rebuilt have become government-subsidized rentals. She misses her neighbors and the close-knit community where everyone knew each other, and neighbor helped neighbor.

Update: People of the Parish - Les

2009-08-31T05:45:00.000-07:00

Although Les is retired from a career as a school principal, he was so grateful to St. Bernard Project after they rebuilt his home, he decided to volunteer for them part-time. Three days a week, he stops by the St. Bernard Project building sites to thank the volunteers.

Les always takes the time to help. Each time I've visited the parish, he's been there to give me directions, or connect me to homeowners, or answer questions about the status of rebuilding in the area. I'm extremely grateful to him.

Les states the "sense of community" is starting to come back to St. Bernard Parish. "Without St. Bernard Project, the churches, and the thousands of volunteers, we would not be anywhere close to where we are today."

A Look at Our Work for SBP in Gentilly, Louisiana

2009-05-28T02:54:00.001-07:00

Julia, David, Cindy, Mary, Jackie, and Paul stand in front of Kenneth and Barbara's home

Please enjoy the slide show of our journey to Gentilly, Louisiana. We were blessed to work on the home of Kenneth and Barbara Wiltz. It was a week of hard work, laughter, and blessings.

Volunteers From Across The Country Help SBP Rebuild

2009-05-27T20:30:00.000-07:00

Brian, Rebecca, Cindy, Mary, David, Jackie, Julie, Eric, Dean (back row)
(front row): Kenneth and Barbara Wiltz (homeowners) and Paul (construction manager)

From Alaska to Virginia, volunteers heard about the amazing efforts of St. Bernard Project and traveled from across the country to New Orleans to help rebuild a home. This week, we've become a family as we worked together sanding and mudding walls to get Kenneth and Barbara Wiltz back home in Gentilly, Louisiana. (Read Kenneth and Barbara's story in prior blog.)

Waiting on a Roof

2009-05-27T05:11:00.001-07:00

Caitlin Meyer and William Ansardi, a local homeowner, on a roof in St. Bernard Parish, LA

There is a house silent and empty in St. Bernard Parish. It sits untouched, exactly as it was after the floods receded in August 2009. The home still has a key in the door. The fish tank holds "Katrina" water. Clothes, and photos, and remnants of family life are scattered throughout the home, all ruined in the flood waters.

There is a cooler on the roof, still there from the homeowners who waited there with a small amount of food and water to keep them alive until rescuers arrive.

Caitlin climbed on the roof with a local resident, William Ansardi, who spoke with her of the lives torn apart by the storm. They spoke about what it was like to wait on a hot roof day after day, hoping for rescue.

Rebuilding is happening in many areas, thanks to St. Bernard Project. But this home no longer houses a family. So we have only remnants to give us clues to their former life here before the storm.

Helping Kenneth and Barbara Move Home

2009-05-27T04:50:00.000-07:00

Cindy Meyer, David Matney, and Mary Matney with
homeowner Barbara (sitting) and Kenneth Wiltz

St. Bernard Project has expanded operations into Gentilly, Louisiana. We are are honored to work on their first house in New Orleans Parish. Kenneth and Barbara are anxiously waiting to move back home after almost four years of struggling to do just that. Kenneth describes the last few years as being "off track". He said he felt like he was floating through life, rather than being on solid ground supported by a home, community, and family.

He describes the joyful moment when Zack Rosenburg, Co-Founder of St. Bernard Project, walked in the door and declared "we can do this - we can get you back home."

This is an especially critical situation. Barbara was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease five years ago, and Kenneth spends his days providing the loving care and guidance she needs to survive in a confusing world.

Our Last Day of Work in St. Bernard Parish, LA

2009-04-08T20:07:00.001-07:00

Lindsay Swick:
I have had such an awesome exprerience while i've been here. I had so much fun and found it so accomplishing. I loved meeting all of the wonderful people here. Everyone is so extremely friendly and im going to miss them terribly. I hope to come back to help out again as soon as possible and to raise money and awareness back in Washington state. I just wanna say thank you and that I'll miss Ms. Joan, the Ansardi's, Caitlin, Pickles :), and everyone else who I've met. You're all so wonderful!

Kaitlyn van der Velde:
Helping out with Mrs. Joan's house with St. Bernard project has been a great experince that I can't imagine living without. Meeting all of the wonderful people of St. Bernard Perish and hearing all of their life changing stories has opened my eyes to see how much these people have been neglected. I can't wait to come back down to La and see Mrs. Joan's lovely home :)

Thank you to everyone who we've met on this trip, You've made it an even better experience.

Mike Morrison:
Hearing these peoples stories has truly been eye opening for me. I did not understand the pain and struggles that they went through for so long. This trip has shown me that I can make a difference in peoples lives just by taking some time out of my day to help another. Working on Joan's house has helped me to understand the importance of helping out others in the world. She is a great lady who did not deserve what happened to her, I wish the best of luck to her.

Drew David:
Words can not explain the way I felt about this trip, I am truely inspired. I loved hearing everyones stories and their different point of views of the whole hurricane. I have been inspired so much that I want to come back this summer and continue to back till after college. Then after college I am going to move down here and continue my quest to rebuild the city of New Orleans and restoring the faith in everyone that once lived here.

I am blessed to have met y'all and hear your stories. Thank you for having me and I plan to be back soon to help y'all out. I believe that this is what I am supposed to do in life.

Katie Repine:
This trip has really opened my eyes to the terrible things that people had to go through after this disaster struck. I am truely glad that people did not give up all hope, and if they did, they gained it all back when st. bernard project came to help them. We have met a few families this trip and hearing their stories are truly inspiring, i am so glad that i came on this trip and got to have this experience. We worked on a women named Joan's house and i am so glad that i could just have helped her a little bit, seeing how thankful she was and also all how the work we accomplished was truely amazing to everyone. My favorite part about this trip was when we were laying the flooring down in Joan's home and we all signed the floor on the foam part before the floor was actually laid. We showed Joan and she really liked it and i thought it was cool that we were leaving our mark behind and that everytime she walks on the floor she will remember the people that care about her and helped her back into her home.
I enjoyed this trip in so many ways and really hope i get the opportunity to come back again and i would really persuade anyone to come down here to help these people it is a great experience

Lindsey Meyer:
This being my second trip to out here has been just as amazing as the first. It's so amazing seeing people coming from all over to help out. One lady was even talking about a man coming from China. If something so terrible happened to my community, I would want people to come down and help. Making a difference in these people's lives is so touching. I can't wait to come back!

Tumwater Teens: Our Work Today in St. Bernard Parish

2009-04-07T18:51:00.000-07:00

Today we finished most of the flooring! Only one room left to go.
Kaitlyn learned how to hang a door in Ms. Joan's house and we are going to hang more doors tomorrow.

We heard a lot of stories from the residents and made some friends. Ms. Joan talked to us at lunchtime about how she stayed during the hurricane, and was rescued and sent to the Houston Astrodome. She said things were really bad there, and she called some relatives in Tennessee who helped her stay there. She then went back home and had nothing left except a FEMA trailer to stay in. The FEMA trailer made her sick. She's very thankful that St. Bernard is helping her.

We had a visit from Les Scharfenstein, a friend Cindy, Lindsey, and Caitlin made in July when they came to visit the area. Les said things are steadily improving in the area. Les is a retired principal, who does part-time teaching and works for St. Bernard Project part-time, too. Les decided to help St. Bernard Project after they helped he and his wife rebuild their home. He helped us find the address of the Ansardi family, a friend of the Meyer family.

We went to visit William and Sharon Ansardi after we were done with work. St. Bernard Project rebuilt their home, and they moved in around Thanksgiving time. They had us sign their guest book because they said they want to remember all the angels (the volunteers) who come to St. Bernard Parish to help. They have a sign in front of their yard that used to say "You gotta have Faith" that survived Katrina. It's getting old, so now is says "You Faith", but William says he doesn't need a sign to remind him of the Faith he has and how all the volunteers come to help the people of da parish.

We wrote our names on the floor of Ms. Joan's living room today before we laid the laminate. Ms. Joan laughed and said most volunteers sign their names on the floors or the walls. She said even though she lives alone, she'll really be surrounded by the volunteers.

Here are some pictures from today:

Tumwater Teens: Our First Work Day in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana

2009-04-06T18:07:00.000-07:00

Today we learned how to lay laminate flooring in Ms. Joan Dalon's house. We finished two rooms! We also talked to the homeowner, who has waited almost four years for a home. Then Fire Chief Thomas Stone came to talk to us. He told us stories of what happened during and after Katrina, and how the firefighters saved thousands of residents and kept them alive by finding water and food and medicine. Tomorrow we lay some more flooring, and might put in some doors.
Here are some pictures. Enjoy!

By Lindsay Swick, Katie Repine, Kaitlyn VanderVelde, Lindsey Meyer, Drew David and Mike Morrison

Tumwater Teens Arrive in New Orleans

2009-04-05T06:23:00.000-07:00

After a full day of travel, the Tumwater Teens arrived in New Orleans around 10:30 last night.

Today, we'll be visiting the community of St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, and touring New Orleans. Tomorrow - we're off to St. Bernard Project to help rebuild a home!

Stay tuned - we'll post pictures each day and update you on our adventure :>)

Watch our Video: A Non-Profit Development SBP Class Project

2009-03-14T19:11:00.000-07:00

Non-Profit Development course - SBP work group participants:
Johnny Druelinger, Cindy Meyer, Shanda Luthy, Meghan Miller

During Winter Term at TESC, Cindy participated in a Non-Profit Development course. In addition to writing a non-profit development strategic plan for local efforts on behalf on St. Bernard Project, the SBP group developed a video presentation told by Cindy through the stories of the people she met during her travels to St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana.

WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW:

Olympia, Washington Helps SBP Rebuild One Home!

2009-03-08T11:32:00.000-07:00

Great news!

The St. Bernard Project Benefit Auction held March 7, 2009, at St. Martin's University raised $12,000! That covers St. Bernard Project's rebuilding costs for one home.

And - the Tumwater Teens received such generous donations that they now have enough funds to pay for their volunteer work trip to New Orleans in April.

Thank you for your generous support!

Click here to watch Liz McCartney, Co-Founder of St. Bernard Project, speak at the auction:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtiLKGgPNes

Click here to watch Caitlin Meyer speak about the people of St. Bernard Parish: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RN68tv9r0ac

Click here to watch Captain Keith Colburn of the Fishing Vessel Wizard as featured on Discovery Channel's "Deadliest Catch" talk about St. Bernard Project: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjaeaJDZaqM

Look Who's Coming to Olympia!

2009-01-22T03:34:00.000-08:00

Dinner Tickets are Sold Out, but $15 Auction Tickets are still available

at the door without an RSVP!

Please come meet Liz McCartney, Captain Keith Colburn, and hear about the amazing work of St. Bernard Project.

●●●

Liz McCartney, CNN Hero of the Year, is coming to Olympia!
Captain Keith Colburn of the Fishing Vessel Wizard as featured on Discovery Channel's Deadliest Catch will be in attendance also!

●●●

Mark your calendars for this exciting fundraiser on March 7 for St. Bernard Project, a nationally-recognized non-profit rebuilding post-Katrina in the New Orleans area. We'd like a huge turn-out to honor this amazing organization. Please come to this exciting event and share the news with your friends and family!
Click here to download the invitation and RSVP form.

We're also in need of donated items for the auction. Many businesses donate items or gift certificates, crafters donate their woodwork or quilts, or you can put together a basket or items for a basket. If you know of friends who may have items, please pass the word.
Click here to download the donation letter and form.

Exciting upcoming events on behalf of St. Bernard Project!

2008-12-21T08:58:00.000-08:00

A forum on "Rebuilding Communities" will take place March 6 at The Evergreen State College

Four Evergreen State College students are busy raising funds, recruiting volunteers, and raising community awareness about the continued need for assistance in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, since Hurricane Katrina flooded the entire county more than three years ago. We are working on behalf of an amazing non-profit, St. Bernard Project (http://www.stbernardproject.org/). Here's what we're working on:

March Events With Co-Founders Liz McCartney and Zack Rosenburg
Liz McCartney (CNN Hero of the Year) and Zack Rosenburg, the co-founders of St. Bernard Project, will be in Olympia, Washington, in March 2009! To date, we have two events planned during their visit:

Dinner Auction fundraiser for St. Bernard Project - March 7, 2009 (see detailed information above)
Evergreen State College discussion on "Rebuilding Communities" - March 6, 2009 from 1:00-3:30 in Lecture Hall 3.

Tumwater Teens Receive Drywall Training at a Local Home Depot Store

Tumwater Teens Prepare for Work Trip to Louisiana

Tumwater Teens travel to St. Bernard Parish, LA, to rebuild a home - April 4-9, 2009 (They are raising money for travel expenses by

selling car wash tickets and
holding a garage sale on March 14

May 2009 - Another Volunteer Work Group Leaves for Louisiana
Another volunteer work group travels to rebuild a home - May 2009

Outreach Efforts for St. Bernard Project
Community outreach events are ongoing in the Olympia area. Here are some recently completed outreach events:

Thurston County Democrats: 1) Breakfast Meeting and 2) Monthly Meeting
KGY Radio Interview
Toastmasters
Soroptimist Club
Neighborhood Alliance Church
Black Hills High School Leadership Class
Tumwater Teen Holiday Tea Fundraiser and Outreach Event

Tumwater Teens Holiday Tea and Fashion Show

2008-12-19T06:47:00.000-08:00

Black Hills High School Teens welcome guests to tea (left to right):
Kyle VanderVelde, Katie Repine, Lindsey Meyer,
Kaitlyn VanderVelde, Lindsay Swick, Drew David, Mike Morrison

Seven Black Hills High School students are committed to helping the community of St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, rebuild after being flooded during Hurricane Katrina. They will be going to Chalmette, Louisiana, over spring break to assist the non-profit St. Bernard Project in rebuilding a home.

With the assistance of four Evergreen State College students (Betsy Hagen, Jackie Ferrado, Caitlin Meyer, and Cindy Meyer), they hosted the holiday tea/fashion show as a community outreach event and fundraiser to inform the public about the continued need for assistance in the New Orleans area. They raised $1600 toward their travel expenses!

Watch the teen fashion show (courtesy of Katie Repine):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqeYhoX4PXE&feature=channel_page
Read a newspaper article about the event: http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/699595.html
Watch Lindsey introduce the teens and Cindy talk about St. Bernard Project: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzeBFz6lUF4

A Look at St. Bernard Project

2008-11-26T18:07:00.000-08:00

A video produced by Caitlin Meyer

Over the course of several days in the summer of 2008, Caitlin, Lindsey, and Cindy Meyer interviewed staff and clients of St. Bernard Project, in addition to residents within the community of St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana. This is a 13-minute video summarizing the positive transformation taking place out of the utter devastation caused by Katrina because of one small non-profit organization called St. Bernard Project.

Liz McCartney is CNN Hero of the Year!

2008-11-22T22:39:00.000-08:00

Click here to read a personal "Thank You" from Liz: http://www.stbernardproject.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=211

CNN Hero of the Year: 'If you join us, we'll be unstoppable'

HOLLYWOOD, California (CNN) -- Liz McCartney, dedicated to helping survivors of Hurricane Katrina rebuild their homes, has been named the 2008 CNN Hero of the Year.

Liz McCartney, who is helping residents rebuild their homes after Katrina, is the 2008 CNN Hero of the Year.

McCartney, of St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, received the honor at Saturday night's taping of "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute" at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. The telecast airs at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Thanksgiving on the global networks of CNN.

McCartney, who will receive $100,000 to continue her work just outside New Orleans, was selected from among the top 10 CNN Heroes after six weeks of online voting at CNN.com. More than 1 million votes were cast.
"To the country and the world, I ask you to please join us," McCartney said. "Together we can continue to rebuild families' homes and lives. ... If you join us, we'll be unstoppable."

Tumwater Teens Help St. Bernard Project

2008-11-04T07:19:00.000-08:00

Mike Morrison, Lindsey Meyer, Lindsay Swick, and Katie Repine

are four of the students from Black Hills High School coordinating a trip to

St. Bernard Parish, LA, to help rebuild a home destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.

Lindsey Meyer visited St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, in July. She was moved to help make a difference when she witnessed the thousands of homeowners who still need help getting back home. So, she texted her friends to see who would be interested in traveling to the area over spring break to volunteer for St. Bernard Project to help rebuild a home. To date, six teens and three parents have joined her team.

One stumbling block is raising funds for their journey. To date, there are two fundraising efforts under way:

Holiday Tea and Fashion Show at Schmidt Mansion on Sunday December 14th from 1:00-2:30 pm. Ticket price is $20.
Tumwater Auto Spa car wash tickets - $6 car wash tickets available - great stocking stuffers!

For more information on either of these fundraising activities, email helpstbernardproject@gmail.com

Fashion Show sponsored by Weddings With Joy and Ambience Salon

Pictures from Women's Rebuild!

2008-10-18T12:17:00.000-07:00

Reflections on Women's Rebuild!

2008-10-18T11:46:00.000-07:00

"It's impossible to understand from a distance."

These were Cathy's words at the end of our visit to St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana. She pointed out to me that, before our journey this week, she was prone to believe that the people of the Gulf Coast should have done more to help themselves. What a difference a week makes.

After completing the tasks of our work day (painting, laying baseboard, caulking), we took time to visit with the residents of St. Bernard Parish and the staff of St. Bernard Project. They opened their hearts and homes to us as they explained their plight.

St. Bernard Parish residents are hard-working homeowners. They spent their adult lives working to pay the mortgage and the insurance - just like most of us. Yet when the flood waters washed away their homes and everything they owned, the insurance did not cover the damage. If they were fortunate enough to receive the Road Home money from the government, it paid the back-payments on the mortgage. No money was left over to rebuild the home.

These residents never had to ask for help before. They all have one thing in common - they are thankful for St. Bernard Project and for all the volunteers who come from around the country to rebuild.

Once you travel to St. Bernard Parish and visit with the kind, generous homeowners there, you'll never be the same. Cathy is planning a return visit with her teenage daughter.

Liz McCartney is a CNN Top Ten Hero

2008-10-13T21:25:00.000-07:00

Liz McCartney, co-founder of St. Bernard Project, has been nominated as one of CNN's top ten CNN Heroes. Watch CNN's special on Thanksgiving (6pm Pacific time) night to find out if Liz wins CNN hero of the year! If she wins, she receives $100,000 to help rebuild eight homes.

Women's Rebuild!

2008-10-13T21:02:00.000-07:00

Cindy and Cathy traveled to St. Bernard Parish October 13-15, 2008 to join forces with women from around the country to rebuild homes in St. Bernard Parish. Women's Rebuild Week is an annual event hosted by the St. Bernard Project. Approximately 250 women help rebuild 25 families’ homes over a two-week period.

TESC Helps St. Bernard Project

2008-10-11T08:24:00.000-07:00

Tony Zaragoza (faculty advisor), and Evergreen State College students Betsy Hagen, Caitlin Meyer, Jackie Ferrado, and Cindy Meyer meet to discuss plans for the 2008-2009 academic year

Four Evergreen State College students are working on internship contracts during the 2008-2009 academic year to raise funds and recruit volunteers for St. Bernard Project - a non-profit working to rebuild homes in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana three years post-Katrina.

For more information about St. Bernard Project, go to www.stbernardproject.org.
For more information about our efforts, please contact us at helpstbernardproject@gmail.com

Here is a summary of what we're working on now:

Betsy is coordinating fundraising efforts for St. Bernard Project:

She hosted a soup kitchen at her work on October 9, raising $315 for St. Bernard Project, and will also host a "Jeans for New Orleans" day at work with proceeds of $5 per person to benefit St. Bernard Project.

She is coordinating a Holiday Tea on December 14 to raise funds for high school students to travel to St. Bernard Parish to help in the rebuilding efforts.

She is coordinating a Dinner Auction on March 7, 2009 to raise funds for St. Bernard Project. Zack Rosenburg and Liz McCartney, co-founders of St. Bernard Project, will be the guests of honor at this event!

Caitlin is producing a video about St. Bernard Project to use during community awareness events.

Jackie is coordinating outreach efforts in the Olympia area to raise community awareness about the continued need for help in the New Orleans area three years post-Katrina.

Cindy is coordinating volunteer groups to travel to St. Bernard Parish to rebuild homes:

She and a friend are traveling to New Orleans October 12-15 to take part in Women Rebuild Week.

She is coordinating a group of high school students to travel to St. Bernard Parish in April 2009

She is coordinating a volunteer work group to travel to St. Bernard Parish in May 2009

The State of St. Bernard Parish Post-Gustav

2008-09-03T06:39:00.000-07:00

by Zack Rosenburg - Co-Founder of St. Bernard Project
Visit his blog at: http://www.sbpgustav.blogspot.com/

All, as I see it, St. Bernard Parish was nearly untouched. A few windows were broken, signs were torn down,. roofs may have leaked. But, the result we have is truly a best case scenario.
Which leads us to next steps:
St. Bernard Parish has escaped Gustav. 3 years later, we have not escaped Katrina. There is an incredible amount of work left to be done. Folks from around the world had the people of New Orleans and St. Bernard in their thoughts and, at the end of the day, we made it. Now, it is time to translate the energy from the thoughts, worries and prayers into action.
We can't all come to St. Bernard, but some of us can. We can't all donate, but some can. And there is one thing that we can all do - spread the truth about both the problems (1,800 families still living in FEMA trailers in SBP alone) and the solutions (SBP's rebuilding and Mental Health Model). We have learned that people want to be part of the solution, but they can only help if they know the truth. So pls spread the word.
We can breathe easy because we made it. I just ask that we don't lose sight of the fact that we have not escaped Katrina yet.

-Zack

Pics from our trip. . .

2008-07-20T09:47:00.000-07:00

The staff of St. Bernard Project

2008-07-20T08:08:00.000-07:00

During our short visit, we were fortunate to talk with many of the dedicated staff members and volunteers of St. Bernard Project. Here are some of their pictures:

Zack Rosenburg and Liz McCartney: Founders of St. Bernard Project

2008-07-17T05:49:00.000-07:00

Left: Zack Rosenburg, co-founder of St. Bernard Project
Right: Liz McCartney, co-founder of St. Bernard Project, with Caitlin and Lindsey

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead

On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina totally eradicated St. Bernard Parish, a county adjacent to New Orleans Lower 9th Ward. The eye of Katrina passed over the county that day, pushing a 25-foot storm surge into the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet. The parish levees failed, and 100% of the homes were flooded and left uninhabitable. Within fifteen minutes, a vibrant, hard-working population of 65,000 residents suddenly found themselves displaced when 6-20 feet of floodwater nundated their homes and businesses and stayed for two weeks.

Two people made their way from Washington D.C. to St. Bernard Parish in the spring of 2006. Their intent was to lend their hands to the rebuilding efforts in the region. They were shocked to discover there was no aid for the families who yearned to return home. No one was there to help the thousands displaced by the storm.

He was a criminal defense attorney. She was a teacher. Both gave up their jobs, moved to St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, and founded a non-profit organization called St. Bernard Project to rebuild homes. Their names are Zack Rosenburg and Liz McCartney. As of July 2008, over 140 homes have been rebuilt by St. Bernard Project.

There is still more work to do - thousands of homes still need to be rebuilt. Because St. Bernard Project uses volunteer labor, they can rebuild a home for $12,000-$15,000.

If you'd like to help, please contact Cindy or go to the St. Bernard Project website:
Cindy's email: helpstbernardproject@gmail.com
St. Bernard Project's website: http://www.stbernardproject.org/

Wherever we go. . .

2008-07-11T13:45:00.000-07:00

Caitlin and Lindsey with Liz McCartney, co-founder of St. Bernard Project

Caitlin interviews Zack Rosenburg, co-founder of St. Bernard Project

Coming soon: Blogs on the staff and volunteers of St. Bernard Project

We were in the Houston airport late last night, proudly wearing our St. Bernard Project t-shirts. An airline employee left his post and boarded our plane to let us know St. Bernard Project rebuilt his aunt's home. He wanted us to know how thankful he was that his aunt received assistance. "Good work!," he said. We were astounded to be in Houston and receive acknowledgement of St. Bernard Project's efforts similar to those we received throughout their local community of St. Bernard Parish.

Obviously, the credit for the "good work" goes to the staff and volunteers of St. Bernard Project who helped the good people of St. Bernard Parish when they had exhausted all efforts to help themselves.

St. Bernard Project is a small, grass-roots organization created by two individuals (Zack Rosenburg and Liz McCartney) to rebuild homes for St. Bernard Parish families devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

They use volunteer labor and donated funds to rebuild a home for approximately $12,000-$15,000. They also provide housing assistance to senior citizens. True to form, they are expanding their organization to meet the needs of the residents by opening a mental health clinic by the end of 2008.

Basically, St. Bernard Project needs two types of help to continue their amazing efforts to help the residents of St. Bernard Parish:
1. Funds (donations are tax-deductible)
2. Volunteers

The needs are pressing. Approximately one-half of the 65,000 residents of the county have returned to the community they call home, but the task of rebuilding with limited funds is daunting. Many are faced with eviction from their FEMA trailers. With funding and volunteers, St. Bernard Project can help the courageous people of St. Bernard Parish.

If you'd like to be part of one of our upcoming volunteer work groups going to St. Bernard Parish to help in the rebuilding effort, contact Cindy at helpstbernardproject@gmail.com . If you'd like additional information about St. Bernard Project, visit their website at http://www.stbernardproject.org/.

To make a donation, see the website for St. Bernard Project's address or contact Cindy for upcoming fundraising/community outreach events in the Olympia area.

Obstacles Remaining

2008-07-11T13:09:00.000-07:00

The elderly owners of this residence have been unable to return home. Neighbors pulled together to do the required gutting of the house and have saved salvageable items that Katrina did not destroy.

Thieves are vandalizing abandoned houses.

The "x" notes a house targeted for demolition this week - even though a neighbor wishes to purchase it.

After spending 9 days rescuing his neighbors from attics and rooftops and searching for food and water supplies for them, this resident is fighting eviction from his FEMA trailer. He's awaiting a promised insurance payment before he can rebuild and states he'll make a home out of the two storage sheds if necessary.

Although signs of rebirth are evident throughout St. Bernard Parish, residents are still encountering roadblocks in their efforts to rebuild and re-establish their community:

· many residents await aid, but find themselves mired in the procedures, red tape and bureaucracy of programs created to help them such as FEMA, Road Home (federal money provided to each state for Katrina victims), and insurance companies
· many residents face immediate eviction from their FEMA trailers, to be replaced with six-month rental vouchers - yet after six months, they would be faced with rent double the pre-Katrina rates
· in many cases, the aid received was minuscule, and cannot cover the cost to rebuild their homes
· many residents have symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and depression
· many homes marked with a red “x” are set for demolition – even though neighbors have expressed an interest in buying the home and property
· copper wiring and other valuables are being stolen from abandoned homes
· K-Mart and Walmart have not returned to the community – limiting local access for the purchase of clothes and other necessities

Signs of Life in St. Bernard Parish

2008-07-11T11:13:00.000-07:00

A playground now stands in a park formerly filled with FEMA trailers.

Approximately one-half of the business are now open.

Sheriff sub-stations housed in temporary trailers sit throughout the county. One sheriff told us he was present when the first outside aid reached the county after six days: the Royal Canadian Mounties.

Volunteers from around the country help St. Bernard Project rebuild homes.

The public library re-opened in temporary quarters in January 2008.

A local restaurant showcases a picture taken of the establishment after it was flooded post-Katrina. Lindsey and Caitlin stand under an oval plaque noting the water line of the flood waters.

I was last in St. Bernard Parish in May 2007. Happily, I witnessed many signs of rebirth this year that were absent during my last visit:

· street signs were up
· a playground was in a park that formerly contained hundreds of occupied FEMA trailers
· a library has been opened since January 2008- housed in a temporary trailer
· several sheriff substations were housed in similar trailers throughout the county
· more than half the homeowners have returned - compared to approximately 25% last year
· more homes were owner occupied
· approximately half the business were open - many with pictures of the Katrina damage prominently displayed

People of the Parish: Sharon and William - there's more to the story

2008-07-11T09:48:00.000-07:00

Sharon, Reanna, and William are fighting eviction from their FEMA trailer while St. Bernard Project works on their home. The sign was still standing when they returned home after Katrina.

We heard there was more to the story of the "you gotta have FAITH sign", so we went back to revisit William, Sharon, and their daughter Reanna.

They once again welcomed us into their FEMA trailer and their home being rebuilt with the help of St. Bernard Project. William described coming back to find his home destroyed, and witnessed homes throughout his neighborhood pushed off their foundations and scattered throughout the streets. He wondered how to go about breaking this news to Sharon, who was staying with friends in the Lower Ninth Ward. "How do you go about telling someone her life as she knew it was washed away?", he wondered with anguish.

As he looked around, what he found still standing was the "you gotta have FAITH sign." Although the sign was put in the yard to show support for the New Orleans Saints football team, it took on new meaning post-Katrina. They advised there were many instances of religious artifacts surviving in areas where all else was destroyed.

So, this family believes their faith brought St. Bernard Project and volunteers from around the country to their aid as they were faced with a deadline from FEMA to leave their trailer by August 1. They view each nail hammered into the wall as one step closer to reclaiming their home and filling it with the sounds of children and grandchildren celebrating life's moments. They hugged us, waved good-bye, and once again invited us to Thanksgiving dinner.

A Local Hero: Randy

2008-07-09T22:07:00.000-07:00

Randy spent over a week rescuing his neighbors from rooftops and attics. He faces eviction from his FEMA trailer while he awaits a promised insurance payment.

Randy was loading his truck, ready to evacuate, when the water appeared around his feet. Within seconds, the water was up to his thighs. He quickly climbed to a roof. Shortly thereafter, he realized his elderly neighbor may need help, and Randy almost drowned trying to reach him.

Luckily, Randy survived and he evacuated the neighbor by boat to a local shelter. That was the beginning of Randy's rescues. He spent the next nine days taking a boat throughout the county to assist his neighbors - evacuating them to shelters and finding food and water to ensure their survival.

Randy's mother was in St. Rita's Nursing Home when Katrina hit. She was one of the last residents evacuated via Blackhawk helicopter. Many elderly residents of St. Rita's perished in the floodwaters.

For more than nine days, the people of St. Bernard Parish were left to fend for themselves with no outside aid. Randy was part of the local effort to take care of their own. Then volunteers started arriving to lend a helping hand.

He wants all the people throughout the country to know how grateful he is that they care enough to give their time, money, and help to the people of St. Bernard Parish.

People of the Parish: Les and Joyce

2008-07-09T21:20:00.000-07:00

Les and Joyce have lived in their home since 1963. St. Bernard Project helped them rebuild their home.

Les and Joyce opened their home to us to conduct interviews.

"For a long time we were tearing down, and now we're building up."

Les and his wife Joyce have lived in their home since 1963. When Hurricane Betsy hit Louisiana in 1965, Les helped his wife and four children (the youngest just a few days old) climb through a window to the safety of the second floor of his neighbor's home.

When Les and Joyce returned to St. Bernard Parish post-Katrina, they were faced with rebuilding their home for the second time. St. Bernard Project came to the rescue, and Les was so grateful for their assistance that he started assisting the organization on a part-time basis.

He believes it is the help of local organizations like St. Bernard Project and the volunteers from around the country that are responsible for the spark of life now present in the community. The gutting and bulldozing is slowing down, and the community is starting to rise up from the depth of destruction.

People of the Parish: Al

2008-07-09T21:03:00.000-07:00

Homeowners always express gratitude to the volunteers who rebuild their home. Al asked us to sign his "wall of angels" containing signatures of the "angels" who helped in the rebuilding effort.

Al was going to wait out Katrina, but the night before the massive flood, he left realizing he needed to get to a safe place to continue to undergo kidney dialysis.

Al grew up in St. Bernard Parish, and is happy to see his community slowly come back to life. He treasures each person who lends a hand to help in the rebuilding effort and wants each of them to remain a part of his home and his life. He asks each volunteer to sign a wall of his home.

The People of the Parish: Denise

2008-07-08T21:07:00.000-07:00

Everyone has a story. Wherever we go in the community, we meet people who know someone assisted by St. Bernard Project. We stopped for a bite of pizza and began chatting with Denise. Her father, Joe, moved back into his house with the assistance of St. Bernard Project. Sadly, Joe passed away in March of this year.

Denise held up a picture of devastation in her neighborhood. Katrina lifted houses off their foundations, and displaced homes, cars, campers, and storage sheds throughout the area's streets.

The People of the Parish: Stephanie

2008-07-08T20:24:00.000-07:00

We caught this picture of Stephanie (St. Bernard Parish homeowner) with Josh, an AmeriCorps volunteer with Saint Bernard Project, at the end of the workday. Stephanie's mobile home was destroyed during Katrina. She was able to purchase a gutted home and, with the help of St. Bernard Project volunteers, she will soon be moving in with her 14-month-old daughter. She's been living in a cabin in a campground, resulting in a lengthy commute each day to attend school.

She asked us to let everyone know that St. Bernard Project is doing what no other organization or government agency is doing in the county: helping homeowners rebuild their homes, their lives, and their community.

The People of the Parish: Ms. Leola

2008-07-08T18:19:00.000-07:00

Ms. Leola is one of my favorite people. Last year, I had the honor of spearheading a fundraising effort to allow her to move from a FEMA trailer back into her home. Right before Katrina devastated her home, she evacuated to Beaumont, Texas, with only the clothes on her back. Only two weeks later, she was forced to evacuate to Dallas, Texas, when Hurricane Rita took aim at the Gulf Coast.

Today we had the pleasure of having a delightful visit in her beautiful home finished with the assistance of St. Bernard Project. When asked about the impact St. Bernard Project had on her life, she talked about how blessed she is to receive help from the staff and volunteers. Without them, she believes she would not be in her home today.

The People of the Parish: William and Sharon

2008-07-08T17:56:00.000-07:00

This was the sign we saw as we pulled our car in front of William and Sharon's home today. It exemplifies the spirit of perseverance inherent in the people of St. Bernard Parish. For over two years, William and Sharon have lived in a small FEMA trailer in their front yard with their daughter and two-year-old grandchild and worked on their home as time and money allowed. They are exuberant to see volunteers from St. Bernard Project putting the finishing touches on their home - the expected move-in date is August 1.

Finding long-term housing is especially pressing for the community residents this month. Many are being evicted from their FEMA trailers. William and Sharon received a three-day eviction notice, and are pleading with FEMA to be allowed to stay until August 1.

William and Sharon exemplify the spirit of the people in this community. They are gracious and welcoming. Even those who lost everything, shared whatever they had to give - they welcomed us into their homes and told us their stories. William and Sharon even invited us over for Thanksgiving dinner. If you ever want to understand what the term "southern hospitality" means, just visit the good people of St. Bernard Parish.

First Day at St. Bernard Project

2008-07-07T12:09:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Cindy, Caitlin, and Lindsey:

We spent the morning at St. Bernard Project, an amazing non-profit that assists St. Bernard Parish residents in rebuilding their homes post-Katrina.

We're spending four days researching the organization and gathering stories to create a community outreach and fundraising effort in the Pacific Northwest.

We interviewed:

Zack, the founder of St. Bernard Project
Colleen (office manager) and Joe (office staff member and former client)
Families assisted by this amazing non-profit organization (stories and pictures will be posted at later date)

Some interesting facts about the county of St. Bernard Parish:

Katrina destroyed 100% of the homes (27,000 residences), displacing 65,000 residents
1800 families are still living in FEMA trailers
approximately one-half (32,000) of the 65,000 residents have returned
St. Bernard Project has completed 131 homes, and is currently working on 30 homes
60 people are on the waiting list
St. Bernard Project can rebuild a house with volunteer labor for approximately $13, 500

For more information, visit St. Bernard Project's website: http://www.stbernardproject.org/

Look for more information tomorrow!

Purpose of this blog. . .

2008-06-25T15:23:00.000-07:00

On July 6, two Evergreen State College students will visit St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana to gather information on a non-profit organization called St. Bernard Project. This is the beginning of a year-long project to expand community awareness and raise funds to assist St. Bernard Project in rebuilding homes destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.

A Black Hills High School sophomore will be completing her community service hours by assisting in the creation of this blog.

Stay tuned on July 7 for pictures and stories.