I've officially lost my mind. In the past week, I have applied for positions with two former U.S. Presidents and the richest man in America. Despite some of this year's setbacks, apparently my ego is still intact. I may have also applied for a position as a nurse, it's all kind of a blur.
In other news, good for him.
Monday, June 26, 2006
Saturday, June 24, 2006
updates from Hidden Cove
This last week, a group from Idlewild Presbyterian Church traveled from their home in Memphis, TN to work with us. Every year, their church performs a week of service and they usually alternate between an international trip and a domestic one. This was their year to help domestically, and they chose to come to the Katrina/Rita affected gulf. They only worked with us three days and spent the remainder of their time helping in Slidell, working with PRC. In that time, they were able to help us quite a bit by installing doorknobs, painting, cleaning, and yes, they helped install the wire closet shelves. I know the AmeriCorps teams would have been proud, if not a bit jealous. Idlewild was a pleasure to host, and if they ever want to return, they are more than welcome. I've said before that it's difficult building relationships with good people just to watch them leave. This group was no exception.
We really are on course to get these houses mostly complete before this month ends. This week, Christiaan, Bill and I will finish the shelves (only four houses to go), and I'll help Eddie finish any painting he has left. The floors should be installed in the remainder of the houses, and then it's just punch-list items.
Last weekend, we had a group from the Louisiana National Guard Youth ChalleNGe program work with us, and we got them to help us clean up the site. For those not familiar with the program, they are a group of at-risk young men and man were they fun to manage. The most notable occurrence of that weekend was seeing the Hidden Cove homeowners working together on each other's house. This was one of the first times I've seen that amount of cooperation among the homeowners here in Baton Rouge. They help each other all the time. It's quite a community they've already built, and they haven't even moved in yet.
Of our new homeowners, two are a couple from Violet, LA. Violet is one of the towns in St. Bernard Parish and the new home of Camp Hope. It turns out, we even know some of the same people. Here in the gulf, and performing disaster recovery - it is an extremely small world.
As you may be aware, there are no residents living at Hidden Cove yet. However, when the owners of lots 41 and 42 move in, they have a surprise waiting for them. I don't know if the drilling that's going on behind them is almost complete, or if that structure will remain indefinitely. I just know that it appeared overnight.We had some disappointing news on Faith Court: two weeks ago, one of the houses was vandalized and all of the bathroom fixtures were ripped off the walls and stolen. This week, the same house was broken into and the appliances were stolen. I can't find a way to positively spin this.
Thursday, June 15, 2006
after the blitz
During the week of May 27 - June 3, we brought several of the 14 houses to completion. Truthfully, we far exceeded the condition of the 4 houses that we built the week after Thanksgiving of 2005. However, there is still a bit of work to do. Now that we don't have the 300+ volunteers, nor do we have any teams of AmeriCorps NCCC, that's a lot of work left for the three full-time staff. Heck, it's lonely out there.
That means this week I've been caulking and caulking, while my co-workers are putting up trim. Tomorrow, I get to paint and then I can paint some more (clearly, I'm taking one for the team). Once I'm done with the painting (say, 2008) I can start the beloved closet shelves. Ask any AmeriCorps NCCC team that's worked with us, and I'm certain they'll tell you how much they love cutting and installing wire closet shelves.
Seriously, we hope to be done by the end of this month. That's good because while attending the Beat the Heat Week Blitz post-mortem yesterday, I learned that in fact we aren't building 40 houses this year, we're shooting to build 52. So, 20 down and 32 to go! To add to the challenge, the next blitz (who knows how many houses this one will be, maybe we'll do all 32 at once and sleep the rest of the year) will start in September. I ran the numbers, and by my calculations, that leaves us about ten weeks until I'm once again over my head. That is, if I'm still here. That's not a forecast or warning. It is merely recognizing that it has almost been a year since I began my grand experiment. I will also acknowledge that 'almost' is relative, and in this case indicates that I've passed the 50% mark of my one-year leave of absence.
Finally, this article is worth a read if you believe that the U.S. should take part in helping to live up to the Millennium Development Goals.
That means this week I've been caulking and caulking, while my co-workers are putting up trim. Tomorrow, I get to paint and then I can paint some more (clearly, I'm taking one for the team). Once I'm done with the painting (say, 2008) I can start the beloved closet shelves. Ask any AmeriCorps NCCC team that's worked with us, and I'm certain they'll tell you how much they love cutting and installing wire closet shelves.
Seriously, we hope to be done by the end of this month. That's good because while attending the Beat the Heat Week Blitz post-mortem yesterday, I learned that in fact we aren't building 40 houses this year, we're shooting to build 52. So, 20 down and 32 to go! To add to the challenge, the next blitz (who knows how many houses this one will be, maybe we'll do all 32 at once and sleep the rest of the year) will start in September. I ran the numbers, and by my calculations, that leaves us about ten weeks until I'm once again over my head. That is, if I'm still here. That's not a forecast or warning. It is merely recognizing that it has almost been a year since I began my grand experiment. I will also acknowledge that 'almost' is relative, and in this case indicates that I've passed the 50% mark of my one-year leave of absence.
Finally, this article is worth a read if you believe that the U.S. should take part in helping to live up to the Millennium Development Goals.
Sunday, June 11, 2006
well, crap
Once, someone said they noticed I never put anything too personal on this thing. Well, here. You can see the downs in all their glory.
I've had two dream jobs in my lifetime. I first saw Star Wars when I was nine years old and was absolutely taken, as were most young boys, with the magic on the screen. I couldn't see the movie enough - but eleven times was as many as I could see it in the theatres at the time. Nor, could I read enough about the movie. I read every science fiction magazine there was about George Lucas and the partnership he built with John Dykstra to forge Industrial Light and Magic, and the wonderful computers that they used to control the motion of the cameras as they filmed the elaborate scenes that captured the senses and imaginations of so many young and old. I decided then that I wanted to go into engineering so that one day, I too may have the skills to work on one of those movies.
Well, in 2001 I worked up the nerve to apply for a job at ILM. You can imagine then how enthusiastic I was when they called me and invited me to San Rafael for an interview. Even more exciting was the tour of the magical facilities of their R&D group. I heard wonderful story after wonderful story of the ins and outs of ILM work on computer games, movies and even the new films in the Star Wars saga. Long story short, the interview went well, but not well enough.
Three years ago, I learned of a wonderful organization, Doctors Without Borders, and their contributions in developing and third-world countries. After the tsunami of December 2004, I even wished I had studied medicine instead of engineering so that I could go help such an organization.
After my run in St. Bernard Parish helping with operations and logistics, I wondered if Doctors Without Borders could use someone with my enthusiasm and skills to help with their mission. Long story short, I got the letter in the mail over the weekend that said, thanks but no.
Anyway, I'm back to trying to figure out what the heck to do next. If anyone still reads this (other than my mom), and knows someone who knows someone, I'm all ears. I'm reading a wonderful book that I will blog (once again, the irony that blogger's spellchecker doesn't know 'blog') about soon and I'm still inspired (although a bit discouraged) to go overseas for a year to further this self-directed internship I seem to be on.
In other news, I stopped by Camp Hope today. For those that don't know, Camp Hope is the replacement volunteer camp in St. Bernard Parish for Camp Premier, which stood down on June 1. It really is a marvel to see the new facilities. Not so much because of the facilities, per se, but it is readily apparent how much hard work has gone into the preparation of the facilities. The old-timers, Tom, Crystal, Michael and Andre have outdone themselves, as have the new old-timers I just met, Kelly, Peter and Paul. At one point, I was a week ahead of Andre - he's now on his 18th week. I'm certain there are others that I don't know yet but if I wore a hat, I would tip it to all of you. As of May 29, they have gutted a total of 1394 houses.
I was only there a couple of hours, but Camp Hope is so much more welcoming than Premier ever was. This may be in part because Emergency Communities is on site as well, or because they are in a school instead of a field of tents, or it may be because this determined set of volunteers has weathered FEMA storm after storm, and it is filled with people who believe that they can do anything. Regardless, you should see it if you can take the time.
I've had two dream jobs in my lifetime. I first saw Star Wars when I was nine years old and was absolutely taken, as were most young boys, with the magic on the screen. I couldn't see the movie enough - but eleven times was as many as I could see it in the theatres at the time. Nor, could I read enough about the movie. I read every science fiction magazine there was about George Lucas and the partnership he built with John Dykstra to forge Industrial Light and Magic, and the wonderful computers that they used to control the motion of the cameras as they filmed the elaborate scenes that captured the senses and imaginations of so many young and old. I decided then that I wanted to go into engineering so that one day, I too may have the skills to work on one of those movies.
Well, in 2001 I worked up the nerve to apply for a job at ILM. You can imagine then how enthusiastic I was when they called me and invited me to San Rafael for an interview. Even more exciting was the tour of the magical facilities of their R&D group. I heard wonderful story after wonderful story of the ins and outs of ILM work on computer games, movies and even the new films in the Star Wars saga. Long story short, the interview went well, but not well enough.
Three years ago, I learned of a wonderful organization, Doctors Without Borders, and their contributions in developing and third-world countries. After the tsunami of December 2004, I even wished I had studied medicine instead of engineering so that I could go help such an organization.
After my run in St. Bernard Parish helping with operations and logistics, I wondered if Doctors Without Borders could use someone with my enthusiasm and skills to help with their mission. Long story short, I got the letter in the mail over the weekend that said, thanks but no.
Anyway, I'm back to trying to figure out what the heck to do next. If anyone still reads this (other than my mom), and knows someone who knows someone, I'm all ears. I'm reading a wonderful book that I will blog (once again, the irony that blogger's spellchecker doesn't know 'blog') about soon and I'm still inspired (although a bit discouraged) to go overseas for a year to further this self-directed internship I seem to be on.
In other news, I stopped by Camp Hope today. For those that don't know, Camp Hope is the replacement volunteer camp in St. Bernard Parish for Camp Premier, which stood down on June 1. It really is a marvel to see the new facilities. Not so much because of the facilities, per se, but it is readily apparent how much hard work has gone into the preparation of the facilities. The old-timers, Tom, Crystal, Michael and Andre have outdone themselves, as have the new old-timers I just met, Kelly, Peter and Paul. At one point, I was a week ahead of Andre - he's now on his 18th week. I'm certain there are others that I don't know yet but if I wore a hat, I would tip it to all of you. As of May 29, they have gutted a total of 1394 houses.
I was only there a couple of hours, but Camp Hope is so much more welcoming than Premier ever was. This may be in part because Emergency Communities is on site as well, or because they are in a school instead of a field of tents, or it may be because this determined set of volunteers has weathered FEMA storm after storm, and it is filled with people who believe that they can do anything. Regardless, you should see it if you can take the time.
Monday, June 05, 2006
whew!
The heat and humidity of Louisiana has killed my iPod, cell phone, car and for a day or two - me. During the "Beat the Heat Week Blitz", fifty of my closest friends and me ended up with a round of fever, vomiting and diarrhea. Still, in eight days we were able to build most of the fourteen houses we set out to build.
There were over 300 volunteers that showed up to help during the week. They came from all over the country to help us build 10 houses in south Baton Rouge and four houses on the west side of the river. Some volunteers come with groups and some come as individuals. Houses were sponsored by Operation Home Delivery, the people of Saudi Arabia, an insurance company and the NCAA. Four new teams of AmeriCorps NCCC showed up to help the one already with us and quickly became our MVP's. The teams came from Sacramento, Charleston and Washington, D.C. campuses. To me, the most extraordinary volunteer that arrived was one that was on my first debris-removal team in St. Bernard Parish.
Once these houses are completed, we will have achieved half of our 2006 goal - 20 houses. As you can see from the photos, most are very near completion. We surpassed the level of accomplishment we achieved during our Thanksgiving blitz, thanks to some hard work by volunteers, NCCC and staff. We'll spend this week trying to finish as much as we can before we are without our NCCC teams. That means we have some painting, shelves, trim work, cabinets and floors to finish. Our work is cut out for us.
Once again, it's hard to say goodbye to wonderful people. I've really grown to enjoy working with the AmeriCorps NCCC teams. Their hard work, dedication, good-spirit and youth are often inspiring to me personally. Aside from the work I've performed in St. Bernard Parish, one of the most rewarding experiences of this year has been working as their supervisor. I've grown to love my teams and I miss them.
Thursday, May 25, 2006
almost upon us
If all goes well, the volunteers that arrive this Saturday to work on the 'Beat the Heat Week' blitz will have everything ready for them to build ten houses in Baton Rouge and four houses in Plaquemine. There has been a lot of activity running up to this event: clearing lots, building forms, pouring slabs, ordering materials, assembling prebuild, operating heavy machinery - and all of it under a warm Louisiana sun.
We've had plenty of help the last several weeks, and this past week we've been joined by five teams of AmeriCorps NCCC.
Let's just call this period a little frantic.
The Baton Rouge development is named Hidden Cove, and eight of the houses are spoken for. Several of the new home-owners are displaced New Orleans residents that have been residing in one of the FEMA parks here in Baton Rouge.
Anyway, we've one day left before we can either pat ourselves on the backs, or get busy blaming one another. After June 3, and if all goes well, we'll have build twenty houses this year.
Oh, and you should see my tan.
We've had plenty of help the last several weeks, and this past week we've been joined by five teams of AmeriCorps NCCC.
Let's just call this period a little frantic.
The Baton Rouge development is named Hidden Cove, and eight of the houses are spoken for. Several of the new home-owners are displaced New Orleans residents that have been residing in one of the FEMA parks here in Baton Rouge.
Anyway, we've one day left before we can either pat ourselves on the backs, or get busy blaming one another. After June 3, and if all goes well, we'll have build twenty houses this year.
Oh, and you should see my tan.
Sunday, April 09, 2006
Not A Bad Weekend
Traemel slept in her house for the very first time on Friday. Although I've worked on other houses that have since been completed, this is the first house that I've worked on from the very beginning, and I was present when she moved in on Friday.
We've begun and nearly completed three houses this year, this is in addition to the four left over from last year that we're finishing. Two others should be complete in the next two weeks. Just in time for us to begin worrying about the fourteen that we will attempt in May.
As you may or may not have heard, both of the volunteer camps in the New Orleans area have received supplemental funding, so the operation of both Algiers and Premier should continue until June. Maybe someone listened.
We've begun and nearly completed three houses this year, this is in addition to the four left over from last year that we're finishing. Two others should be complete in the next two weeks. Just in time for us to begin worrying about the fourteen that we will attempt in May.
As you may or may not have heard, both of the volunteer camps in the New Orleans area have received supplemental funding, so the operation of both Algiers and Premier should continue until June. Maybe someone listened.
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Updates from Baton Rouge
I don't have a whole lot to post. I know that the house count in St. Bernard was around 900 houses as of April 1. My sister came down to St. Bernard to volunteer. Because she was injured the first day she was working, she wasn't able to complete the week. I think with 14 stitches, her excuse is good enough.
The camp is still scheduled to close on April 10 (or 11), as far as I know. It is quite possible that they will exceed 1,000 houses before that date (if they haven't already). I know there are plans to move the operation to a local school, and that people have begun the process to prepare for the volunteers. I'm not aware of alternative transportation arrangements nor of the plans for food. I'm certain that either the information I just provided is dated, or will change at the last minute.
As far as Baton Rouge is concerned, we are busy preparing for our 14 house blitz the last week of May. There is a lot of preparation necessary, and we need volunteers. In fact, if anyone wants to step up and build one of the houses, I'm certain there are at least six people who will write songs to praise you.
[edited 2006/04/07 @ 00:25:39 to correct stupid grammatical error]
The camp is still scheduled to close on April 10 (or 11), as far as I know. It is quite possible that they will exceed 1,000 houses before that date (if they haven't already). I know there are plans to move the operation to a local school, and that people have begun the process to prepare for the volunteers. I'm not aware of alternative transportation arrangements nor of the plans for food. I'm certain that either the information I just provided is dated, or will change at the last minute.
As far as Baton Rouge is concerned, we are busy preparing for our 14 house blitz the last week of May. There is a lot of preparation necessary, and we need volunteers. In fact, if anyone wants to step up and build one of the houses, I'm certain there are at least six people who will write songs to praise you.
[edited 2006/04/07 @ 00:25:39 to correct stupid grammatical error]
Saturday, March 25, 2006
First House
The Baton Rouge HfH affiliate completed their first house of the year. The LSU Greek house started last Saturday and we finished it this afternoon. Yes, their are a few punch-list items, but the dedication is tomorrow and we hope to get Barbara in her house in the next couple of weeks.
It was an eventful week: we had a volunteer who returned to us from North Carolina to help us last Saturday and today, neighbors who were less than inviting, a homeowner that can make anyone smile, three daily shifts of LSU fraternities and sororities and a team of NCCC learning finish carpentry.
While it is no secret I've not quite found my place, it was good to come back and work with two of my very favorite co-workers, Mike Bryant and Tom Pruyn. Mike has been my supervisor and friend since I've come to this affiliate, and this week he performed the duties of house-leader for the very first time. The proof is in the product - the house was completed on schedule and Mike grew into his new role and exceeded any expectations anyone could have had. He met every challenge with a smile - the house, the homeowner and the volunteers benefited from his new role.
If anyone could ever choose a mentor, they should choose Mr. Tom. He has been with the Baton Rouge affiliate since it began and has accumulated more years of construction experience than I've been alive. You will not meet a kinder soul with more wisdom and dignity, nor one with such concern for justice and tolerance in our world. He continually surprises me with his grace and sincerity.
It has been my distinct privilege to work with these two. They have certainly helped make this experience worth it.
I won't attend Sunday's dedication. I'm leaving tomorrow morning to return to St. Bernard for a couple of days. I'm not working - I'm just taking time off and seeing people I miss, talking about the future of the project, and trying to gather enough information to make my next decision.
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Thank you
I just re-read my last two posts, after the several emails and comments I got asking me what's up.
Two things strike me as extremely weird: first, those who knew me before I left on my adventure (usually I call it my journey) may remember how extremely private I can be - and then here I am living out this adventure in full view of both of the people that read it. Second, I'm ok with it.
I'm glad people are interested in post-Katrina/Rita Louisiana, Habitat for Humanity or me. In fact, I'm shocked and amazed that some people have found this site by accident or have just continued to follow it. In fact, one person found it on the Internet and then I met him at Camp Premier. How weird is that?
I'm not doing any of this anymore because I want to, I feel like I have to. After my experience in St. Bernard Parish, I think I'm catching my breath before the next thing. Now, I'm not certain what it is next, but it needs to be important, and make a difference. I finally left St. Bernard because I believe I did make a difference, but it took a big chunk of me to do it. Maybe if I get my second wind I'll go back.
The common theme I hear from those who have come to Camp Premier and gone back to the world is that they've been changed somehow. No one really can describe how they've changed, but they have and often it seems they're missing something they didn't even know they had to lose. I believe that when you meet and work with good people for a good cause, that everything else seems less important. Maybe it's just a new perspective. A rebirth? It definitely can be spiritual. I think my change has been more resolve.
Anyway, I'll be in Baton Rouge for at least the week. We're finishing new and old business right now - building a new one this week in fact, and finishing ones that have been sitting too long. A team from AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) is here and they're doing what they do, getting things done. That's there motto by the way.
If you want to do something good for the country, then write your Congressman or woman and your Senator and ask them to reinstate funding for NCCC. The St. Bernard Recovery Project wouldn't exist without them (69,000 lives they are directly affecting), there are a great number of teams in the Gulf region helping with hurricane recovery (I've met and worked with six so far and the Washington Post reports that at least half of their number are in this region at any given time), and they are our nation's motivated young leaders. Our President decided that $22M was too much to spend on the 1100 18-24 year olds and the 80 staff that support them.
If you're on the fence about volunteering because of time, work or family - then please write a letter and endorse someone doing it on your behalf. They're only paid $13/day and they do more for that money than you can imagine.
I urge you to visit one of the following sites for more information, links to sample letters and addresses/fax numbers:
Two things strike me as extremely weird: first, those who knew me before I left on my adventure (usually I call it my journey) may remember how extremely private I can be - and then here I am living out this adventure in full view of both of the people that read it. Second, I'm ok with it.
I'm glad people are interested in post-Katrina/Rita Louisiana, Habitat for Humanity or me. In fact, I'm shocked and amazed that some people have found this site by accident or have just continued to follow it. In fact, one person found it on the Internet and then I met him at Camp Premier. How weird is that?
I'm not doing any of this anymore because I want to, I feel like I have to. After my experience in St. Bernard Parish, I think I'm catching my breath before the next thing. Now, I'm not certain what it is next, but it needs to be important, and make a difference. I finally left St. Bernard because I believe I did make a difference, but it took a big chunk of me to do it. Maybe if I get my second wind I'll go back.
The common theme I hear from those who have come to Camp Premier and gone back to the world is that they've been changed somehow. No one really can describe how they've changed, but they have and often it seems they're missing something they didn't even know they had to lose. I believe that when you meet and work with good people for a good cause, that everything else seems less important. Maybe it's just a new perspective. A rebirth? It definitely can be spiritual. I think my change has been more resolve.
Anyway, I'll be in Baton Rouge for at least the week. We're finishing new and old business right now - building a new one this week in fact, and finishing ones that have been sitting too long. A team from AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) is here and they're doing what they do, getting things done. That's there motto by the way.
If you want to do something good for the country, then write your Congressman or woman and your Senator and ask them to reinstate funding for NCCC. The St. Bernard Recovery Project wouldn't exist without them (69,000 lives they are directly affecting), there are a great number of teams in the Gulf region helping with hurricane recovery (I've met and worked with six so far and the Washington Post reports that at least half of their number are in this region at any given time), and they are our nation's motivated young leaders. Our President decided that $22M was too much to spend on the 1100 18-24 year olds and the 80 staff that support them.
If you're on the fence about volunteering because of time, work or family - then please write a letter and endorse someone doing it on your behalf. They're only paid $13/day and they do more for that money than you can imagine.
I urge you to visit one of the following sites for more information, links to sample letters and addresses/fax numbers:
Monday, March 20, 2006
Taking a break
So, I left St. Bernard Parish Friday night.
It was a long but good week. By the end of the week, over 2,000 volunteers went to work in St. Bernard in one day plus one former Presidential hopeful, Sen. John Edwards. He even came to the camp and took a tour of Camp Premier. Hopefully, he can help renew the funding that is scheduled to dry up on April 11 or help motivate someone to take over funding the camp from the state.
I believe the house count is close to if not over 600 houses as of Friday.
I don't know if I'm going back or not. I want to, but I'm tired. I'm not even certain I'm welcome, when it came time for me to leave - I just ran. I came back to Baton Rouge to work on a blitz build, and we're into the third day of it. I didn't work much on Saturday - I was there, but didn't work much. Not only that, but I learned that one of our homeowners isn't living in her house yet, and she probably should be. I feel as though if I had been around living up to my obligations there, that maybe she wouldn't sometimes have to sleep in her car.
All of these experiences are taking from me, and not giving back much. I've chosen this year, and it breaks my heart that others didn't make this choice - these things were just dumped in their lap. I'm learning that one person has limitations and that it takes more than just one-on-one experiences to really accomplish anything. I'm tired of goodbyes. I'm tired of feeling helpless. There were very similar feelings of frustration that brought me to live this year as I'm trying.
There's good work in St. Bernard. There are good people there too. There are also normal people - people that you run into every day with the same frustrations and shortcomings as the rest of us. But that doesn't mean they don't need help. The same can be said of the work in Baton Rouge, or anywhere I'm certain. Just as I learned I don't have to leave the country to help those in need, I don't get to choose those that need help, and sometimes it's not just the people we're trying to help that need it, but so do those of us who are trying to do it.
If you're reading this merely because you're interested in St. Bernard Parish - I'll see if I can stay current on the house count and numbers of volunteers and keep you up to date if I don't go back. I'm not promising anything though, not to anyone. I don't know if I'm staying in Baton Rouge after this week, going back to St. Bernard Parish, or just going for a very long motorcycle ride. But, I will live up to my commitment to continue to work from my heart - even if it kills me.
It was a long but good week. By the end of the week, over 2,000 volunteers went to work in St. Bernard in one day plus one former Presidential hopeful, Sen. John Edwards. He even came to the camp and took a tour of Camp Premier. Hopefully, he can help renew the funding that is scheduled to dry up on April 11 or help motivate someone to take over funding the camp from the state.
I believe the house count is close to if not over 600 houses as of Friday.
I don't know if I'm going back or not. I want to, but I'm tired. I'm not even certain I'm welcome, when it came time for me to leave - I just ran. I came back to Baton Rouge to work on a blitz build, and we're into the third day of it. I didn't work much on Saturday - I was there, but didn't work much. Not only that, but I learned that one of our homeowners isn't living in her house yet, and she probably should be. I feel as though if I had been around living up to my obligations there, that maybe she wouldn't sometimes have to sleep in her car.
All of these experiences are taking from me, and not giving back much. I've chosen this year, and it breaks my heart that others didn't make this choice - these things were just dumped in their lap. I'm learning that one person has limitations and that it takes more than just one-on-one experiences to really accomplish anything. I'm tired of goodbyes. I'm tired of feeling helpless. There were very similar feelings of frustration that brought me to live this year as I'm trying.
There's good work in St. Bernard. There are good people there too. There are also normal people - people that you run into every day with the same frustrations and shortcomings as the rest of us. But that doesn't mean they don't need help. The same can be said of the work in Baton Rouge, or anywhere I'm certain. Just as I learned I don't have to leave the country to help those in need, I don't get to choose those that need help, and sometimes it's not just the people we're trying to help that need it, but so do those of us who are trying to do it.
If you're reading this merely because you're interested in St. Bernard Parish - I'll see if I can stay current on the house count and numbers of volunteers and keep you up to date if I don't go back. I'm not promising anything though, not to anyone. I don't know if I'm staying in Baton Rouge after this week, going back to St. Bernard Parish, or just going for a very long motorcycle ride. But, I will live up to my commitment to continue to work from my heart - even if it kills me.
Friday, March 10, 2006
A Bunch of Progress
Sorry that I haven't updated this in a while - it's not productive to wait this long because there's been so much that I'm afraid this post will be long-winded, and boring. It's been difficult convincing myself that administrative, operational and logistic details of Camp Premier are anything anyone would want to read (much less do!) Argh. Bear with me as a sort this out...
First, I made my first trip back to civilization last week. I returned to Baton Rouge for almost 18 hours to claim three weeks of unopened mail (oh yeah, I got guilted into working Saturday also). The trip alone was eye-opening. Anyone reading this who's worked at this camp may find this sentiment familiar. Returning to traffic, stores, people, work and bureaucracy is a surreal experience. I had forgotten there was a real world out there where people had electricity, Sonic or even indoor plumbing. Today I cheated and drove to Metairie so that I could buy some new glasses (I lost my only pair in a debris pile), and I went to Burger King. Good grief, how good it was to have a vanilla shake. Ten minutes later I felt guilty because I did.
Anyway, so in Baton Rouge I got my first thank you card from a St. Bernard Parish homeowner, who wanted to thank my husband and me for all of our hard work. I'm glad I had that point of confusion to laugh about so that I didn't just break down and cry when I got it. Not that I want anyone reading this to think I'm some sentimental twit, but living here, sharing this grief and celebration and facing these daily challenges has left me occasionally fragile.
Just yesterday, I was calling this place my home.
This week, we completed about 170 houses with about 60 teams. I think we're around 350 now. Those volunteers reading this who were here when we were a one bus operation should know that now we're reliably scheduling and dispatching about 20 buses/day. Next week, it's going to be closer to 40, maybe even 50 as we have about 1100 HfH volunteers arriving, along with the 200 or so Samaritan's Purse and 60 AmeriCorps NCCC. I think we're scheduling for about 100 teams. This is after a bit of fanfare (and confusion). Probably you've read in the news about President Bush touring the area (I think he missed us. I had a funny idea about a where's the President post. I would walk along the French Quarter and take photos at Café Du Monde, the River Walk and Bourbon Street, but that would take time and effort of which I have none extra to give), and then Franklin and Billy Graham are here, and even broadcasted live from Camp Premier this past Wednesday night. All of a sudden, we seem to be getting a lot of federal support - this just hours after we had to tell 600 HfH volunteers that Camp Premier couldn't provide housing for them - and promptly called them back after we got a different story today. Argh, the complexity of a fragile partnership between the federal government, the parish government, service and volunteer organizations.
I hope the tone of this doesn't leave the wrong impression. I've received encouragement from volunteers who've assured me that they felt productive, and they're surprised at both the accommodations and the amount they've been able to accomplish. Federal employees have been asking us how we're doing what we're doing. Where's our SOP? What's been documented? I don't know if they want to tell us how we've been doing it wrong or (more likely) how the heck have we been able to do what we've done so far. I choose to believe the latter, because it makes me feel as though we're doing something right. I've even heard this organization proposed as a model. Heh, that just makes me laugh. Still, it's cool.
I don't even know if I have a point right now (I definitely shouldn't be trying to write this). I just wanted everyone to know that volunteers are coming and it will be steady for a while. It's a cool thing to see how much this has grown.
Sorry for all of the parenthetical asides. Writing was never my strong suit (did I just use a cliche? woops, sorry for that also), and I'm just kind of journaling right now - although this is not supposed to be a journal. I promise, I'll do better next time.
Soon, I'm going to do a post on how awesome AmeriCorps NCCC is and how they are the organization that has ensured the continued success of this operation. Until then, just trust me on that one.
If you're still reading this (I feel sorry for you), I did find the Gold Star Diner and talked to BJ, the owner. He plans to open a week from today, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I want to go eat there (I don't care what's he's serving) and then take a nap.
First, I made my first trip back to civilization last week. I returned to Baton Rouge for almost 18 hours to claim three weeks of unopened mail (oh yeah, I got guilted into working Saturday also). The trip alone was eye-opening. Anyone reading this who's worked at this camp may find this sentiment familiar. Returning to traffic, stores, people, work and bureaucracy is a surreal experience. I had forgotten there was a real world out there where people had electricity, Sonic or even indoor plumbing. Today I cheated and drove to Metairie so that I could buy some new glasses (I lost my only pair in a debris pile), and I went to Burger King. Good grief, how good it was to have a vanilla shake. Ten minutes later I felt guilty because I did.
Anyway, so in Baton Rouge I got my first thank you card from a St. Bernard Parish homeowner, who wanted to thank my husband and me for all of our hard work. I'm glad I had that point of confusion to laugh about so that I didn't just break down and cry when I got it. Not that I want anyone reading this to think I'm some sentimental twit, but living here, sharing this grief and celebration and facing these daily challenges has left me occasionally fragile.
Just yesterday, I was calling this place my home.
This week, we completed about 170 houses with about 60 teams. I think we're around 350 now. Those volunteers reading this who were here when we were a one bus operation should know that now we're reliably scheduling and dispatching about 20 buses/day. Next week, it's going to be closer to 40, maybe even 50 as we have about 1100 HfH volunteers arriving, along with the 200 or so Samaritan's Purse and 60 AmeriCorps NCCC. I think we're scheduling for about 100 teams. This is after a bit of fanfare (and confusion). Probably you've read in the news about President Bush touring the area (I think he missed us. I had a funny idea about a where's the President post. I would walk along the French Quarter and take photos at Café Du Monde, the River Walk and Bourbon Street, but that would take time and effort of which I have none extra to give), and then Franklin and Billy Graham are here, and even broadcasted live from Camp Premier this past Wednesday night. All of a sudden, we seem to be getting a lot of federal support - this just hours after we had to tell 600 HfH volunteers that Camp Premier couldn't provide housing for them - and promptly called them back after we got a different story today. Argh, the complexity of a fragile partnership between the federal government, the parish government, service and volunteer organizations.
I hope the tone of this doesn't leave the wrong impression. I've received encouragement from volunteers who've assured me that they felt productive, and they're surprised at both the accommodations and the amount they've been able to accomplish. Federal employees have been asking us how we're doing what we're doing. Where's our SOP? What's been documented? I don't know if they want to tell us how we've been doing it wrong or (more likely) how the heck have we been able to do what we've done so far. I choose to believe the latter, because it makes me feel as though we're doing something right. I've even heard this organization proposed as a model. Heh, that just makes me laugh. Still, it's cool.
I don't even know if I have a point right now (I definitely shouldn't be trying to write this). I just wanted everyone to know that volunteers are coming and it will be steady for a while. It's a cool thing to see how much this has grown.
Sorry for all of the parenthetical asides. Writing was never my strong suit (did I just use a cliche? woops, sorry for that also), and I'm just kind of journaling right now - although this is not supposed to be a journal. I promise, I'll do better next time.
Soon, I'm going to do a post on how awesome AmeriCorps NCCC is and how they are the organization that has ensured the continued success of this operation. Until then, just trust me on that one.
If you're still reading this (I feel sorry for you), I did find the Gold Star Diner and talked to BJ, the owner. He plans to open a week from today, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I want to go eat there (I don't care what's he's serving) and then take a nap.
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
You can't make this stuff up
Monday morning, I sent over one-hundred volunteers to an area where the St. Bernard Fire Department had responded to a fire. This afternoon, as I was waiting for nearly three-hundred volunteers to return from a long day of house-gutting, a fire broke out across from Camp Premier. This week, I've taken a break from gutting houses, and I'm trying to help the four Habitat volunteers who have coordinated us for the past three weeks by sharing some of their responsibilities. It's been a logistical nightmare scheduling resources with FEMA and planning for the hundreds of volunteers who have wanted to come help. But, we're getting better every day.
I've tried to keep my emotion and political leaning out of this, and just relay the experience as much as possible. I know this isn't a late-breaking news site, but this is too hard not to share:
Video Shows Bush Heard Dire Warnings Ahead of Katrina.
I've tried to keep my emotion and political leaning out of this, and just relay the experience as much as possible. I know this isn't a late-breaking news site, but this is too hard not to share:
Video Shows Bush Heard Dire Warnings Ahead of Katrina.
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Happy Mardi Gras
Today was refreshing. I got away from Camp Premier for a while and helped set up a soup-kitchen just down the road. Fourteen other volunteers and myself setup 500 chairs for the residents of this parish in the gymnasium of an elementary school. The needs of the parish are about 1000 meals/day for the residents who still don't have transportation to get around to get food, not that there are really any markets open in this area. I heard today that as of last month, only 1% of the electricity had been restored here. That really makes it hard to make progress restoring this community.
This is as close to a modern ghost-town as I will ever see, in America.
This afternoon, as we were unloading an enormous order of tools from Lowe's hardware at another gym we use as a warehouse, we ran across a group of families who were taking advantage of the park that Extreme Makeover restored for the community. It was great to see these families who are recently reconnected. All were from here, but they've been living in locally and in Texas and Baton Rouge and were enjoying the day off together. They even helped us unload our trailers, to thank us for our work in the parish. As I was leaving, I ran into Eva who talked to me for a few minutes. She told me she and her husband were working hard to reopen their diner, and that's why he wasn't at the park with her and her three children.
I wish I wrote well, because I cannot describe the sincerity and gratitude with which these people welcome us. It is that single act of kindness from them that makes this worthwhile. I cannot wait to go to the Gold Star Diner when it reopens.
This is as close to a modern ghost-town as I will ever see, in America.
This afternoon, as we were unloading an enormous order of tools from Lowe's hardware at another gym we use as a warehouse, we ran across a group of families who were taking advantage of the park that Extreme Makeover restored for the community. It was great to see these families who are recently reconnected. All were from here, but they've been living in locally and in Texas and Baton Rouge and were enjoying the day off together. They even helped us unload our trailers, to thank us for our work in the parish. As I was leaving, I ran into Eva who talked to me for a few minutes. She told me she and her husband were working hard to reopen their diner, and that's why he wasn't at the park with her and her three children.
I wish I wrote well, because I cannot describe the sincerity and gratitude with which these people welcome us. It is that single act of kindness from them that makes this worthwhile. I cannot wait to go to the Gold Star Diner when it reopens.
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Finally
It's not a question that I wish to debate, nor do I have strong feelings one way or the other. I understand the economic need for a Mardi Gras celebration and the message it sends about the area. But heck, I'm documenting that not seven miles from the French Quarter and not even four miles from the Ninth Ward, is a community that still lies devastated from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. And exactly what message should be sent? Anyway, ABC News has a story New Orleans' Party is On -- But Should it Be? that echoes sentiments I've heard. To be fair, I've heard both sides of the debate from the locals as well.
Saturday, February 25, 2006
100 Houses Completed
It has been another amazing week in St. Bernard Parish. We completed the 100th house on Friday, so yet another milestone has been realized. And with the number of volunteers ready to shoot past 1,000, we are moving on toward the goal of gutting 5,000 houses by June.
When I left my job to come do this, I was hoping for two things: to help people that need it, and to meet people willing to do the same thing. I've been fortunate in that I'm not 1/3 into the year, and I've accomplished both goals. For example, this week we met another one of the families we came to help. Marion and Pete Oldenburg, and their daughter Karen came to their house on our last day there. They spent most of the day with us, and what an emotional day it was. Marion asked me not to take any photographs of her debris (the debris photo shown here is not from Marion's house), but she did allow me to photograph her and her daughter with our team. She was so thankful to us, but I have to admit that I feel as though I am in her debt for allowing me to experience this.This is simply the most rewarding experience of my life.
I mentioned my other goal was to meet people willing to help others. Well, I've done that. I did it in Kauai, Baton Rouge and at Camp Premier. I was nervous after we had such a good group last week, that we could never be so lucky again. How wrong I was. Katie, Tom, Patty, John, Don, Eddie, Will, Lynda, Aaron and Crystal are as amazing a group as I've ever met, and I think we're now family. Once again, I feel I'm in their debt for allowing me to know them. There is a downside to meeting people this wonderful, it is that you eventually have to say goodbye.
The camp continues to grow, and the faces continue to change, but the mission remains the same. As well as the rewards.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Meet the Gauthier's
Our new group finished our first house on Tuesday. Before we left, the home-owners stopped by to inspect our work. They were so thankful, but we're pretty certain it was our privilege to help them. One of our members was thoughtful and saved a large number of letters between the two, I believe from when he was abroad, as he is a Korean War Veteran. Anyway, it was nice to have met them.We've since moved on to a new house that's taking more time than we anticipated. Some of it is due to heat, and some is because of new logistical challenges. What was three volunteer teams last week has grown to seventeen this week (somewhere around 380 volunteers). In weeks to come, we hear of numbers as large as 2,000 volunteers. The upside here, of course, is that help is finally coming.
The "Big Board" this afternoon showed that the Recovery Project has completed 69 houses. Only 9,931-ish to go...
Monday, February 20, 2006
A Few Quick Notes
Pardon the lack of formatting and photographs, it's much easier to update this on the weekend when I have a bit more time.
As I learn more about it I will update the blog, but Extreme Makeover Home Edition came to Chalmette (the Parish seat of St. Bernard) yesterday where they announced they are rebuilding a church in the area. This morning, several people with shirts with the aforementioned name on it could be seen at breakfast.
This brings up another point, there are several volunteer groups here other than Habitat. Among those represented are AmeriCorps NCCC, Samaritan's Purse, and PRC Compassion. The point being that you don't have to be with Habitat to be here.
The final thing is that one of the new couples that joined us today is celebrating there 18th wedding anniversary, today. How cute is that?
As I learn more about it I will update the blog, but Extreme Makeover Home Edition came to Chalmette (the Parish seat of St. Bernard) yesterday where they announced they are rebuilding a church in the area. This morning, several people with shirts with the aforementioned name on it could be seen at breakfast.
This brings up another point, there are several volunteer groups here other than Habitat. Among those represented are AmeriCorps NCCC, Samaritan's Purse, and PRC Compassion. The point being that you don't have to be with Habitat to be here.
The final thing is that one of the new couples that joined us today is celebrating there 18th wedding anniversary, today. How cute is that?
Sunday, February 19, 2006
A Day of Destruction
Every Saturday, the camp provides a tour of St. Bernard. The tour is an excellent introduction not only to the devastation and chronology of Hurricane Katrina, but also to the history and legacy of this parish. Of course we were allowed to see scenes of destruction such as the ones on this page. Shown here are a shrimp boat that found its way into a neighborhood, the water/oil line on a house neighboring the Murphy oil spill and another resident's opinion of the spill, and finally a house that 'just appeared' in the neighborhood.
The Murphy oil spill was approximately 1,000,000 gallons of mixed crude oil. We learned that Murphy is paying residents anywhere from $7-$12/sq. ft. if they have oil damage, as long as they agree not to sue or anything. For a large house, that's almost $20,000!!! There's a bit more about the oil spill at the EPA's web site.
What we also learned was that the flooding here could have been avoided, and was introduced, of course as all good things are, by man. Enter the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO). MRGO is a man-made channel that provides ready access to the Gulf of Mexico. In doing so, it provides a bypass for the gulf waters that avoids the natural wetlands of southern Louisiana. The surge of water that flooded this entire parish in large part came from the MRGO. One interesting thing to note is that what it took nature about 4,500 years to build, the wetlands in St. Bernard, it took MRGO less than 100 to destroy.
A large part of this community campaigns against MRGO. You can read and see more at www.paceonline.org. PACE is the acronym for Parishes Against Coastal Erosion. For more about the storm and St. Bernard Parish, see this entry at wikipedia.
Friday, February 17, 2006
One Week Down
I've been trying to think of words, or just one word to best describe what I'm a part of here. The best I can do is 'epic'. I think it sums up the devastation of this parish and the work ahead of them. I've not been able to find the words to sum up this experience, which is why I mostly relay facts as I obtain them.
One of the most impressive things I've found since being here is that everyone, not just some, but everyone you meet from St. Bernard Parish has a story. Everyone here was affected, everyone you meet suffered damage or loss, either personal or property. Given that we're working closely with the St. Bernard Fire Department, I've heard some of their personal stories of survival as well as those of their rescues. I've helped 'gut' the house of one of the 34 who died at St. Rita's Nursing Home. I've personally disposed of pets that were left behind (at what became known to us as the Two Dead Dog House).
Nothing in life has prepared me for what I've witnessed, but then again, I think nothing in life could have prepared these 73,000 residents for what they have experienced.
I've been remiss in not commenting on the SBFD before now, but Chiefs Caluda and Lea have gone out of their way to orchestrate our logistics. We have been so fortunate to have worked with firefighters like Armand, Rick and Andrew who have made us feel so welcome and appreciated for what feels to us like such a small effort in the big picture. The people of this parish are so very well cared for and represented by these fine gentlemen. Before Katrina, St. Bernard parish had about 116 firefighters. After the storm, 94 dedicated souls remained.
Finally, I have a few photos to share. Among these are before and after photos of houses we've gutted, one where we called in assistance from the fire department to help wash away some of the Katrina smell, my little smoking place at Camp Premier and what's left of my team on our last day this week. In all, we cleaned up almost five houses in five days. We still have an hour or so on our last house which we'll pick up on Monday. This time "we" will be a few holdovers from this week's team and some new faces we'll probably meet sometime Sunday. Things will begin to change here next week: over the weekend we expect to get between 250-300 new volunteers. What was once one bus will become six buses of volunteers. We hope to go from 15 houses a week to 90. Still, it will be a small dent in the 5,000 by June, but it is something. And it feels important. Probably because it is.
[2006/02/18 19:00 CST edit: correct spelling of SBFD Chief's name]
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