Update: People of the Parish - Miss Melanie

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.