Slowly, like so many others in the same position, Mack slowly found out about the whereabouts of his children and immediate family. Unfortunately, like other residents of the Ninth Ward, Mack was unable to so much as to see their homes and get some kind of closure or idea about was happening with their community, their futures and their pasts.

After seeing the incredible damage to his neighborhood and to his own home, Mack said that “I had never felt so vulnerable, violated and despondent as I did that day.” This was the start of a path that would have lifelong effects in both Mack’s world and the community that he now serves.

“I had my towing business and I loved working on antique cars, so I bought a building to do just that, seems that life had other ideas for me.” These words would ring more and more true as he found his calling and his passion. The original inspiration for the now indispensable Lower Ninth Ward Village is Mack’s memories of the community center that he enjoyed and frequented as a youth. He took his beloved building that was going to house antique cars and slowly gave over to the idea of building a “hub” for the entire Ninth Ward.

“What good would it be for me to fix my house and be back home if I was the only one on my block?” Mack, who to this day is still in a FEMA trailer, asked himself that very same question. This epiphany was the catalyst for change not only in Mack’s life, but for the community he loves and is a part of.

Eventhough, The Lower Ninth Ward Village is coming along and serves as a great meeting place for so many people and groups. Katrina Corps is asking you to help fund the repairs for Mack’s home. Instead of immediately fixing his own house and thinking of himself first, Mack started putting his own money and time into the idea of the Lower Ninth Ward village.

He needs $17,000 to complete the home with appliances. If each person gives $25 and each group gives $200 that would cover the expenses of this project.

On August 28th, 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit the southern coast of the United States.

An estimated 1,800 people lost there lives.

The storm caused more then $81 billion in damage.

The images of people on top of buildings, holding up signs, crying for help, became symbols of the devastation and the response.

We are recognizing one Madison woman’s commitment and compassion for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Given to people who have gone above and beyond through volunteering, Pam Murtaugh, is this month’s Jefferson award winner, and “Someone You Should Know.”

Eighteen months after Hurricane Katrina hit, Pam Murtaugh heard parts of the city still looked like the first days following storm.

“Every nook and cranny, the closet where you stored Christmas wrapping paper, the drawers where you held your canceled checks, all had been opened and washed together into this great heap by sewage and flood waters,” said Pam.

So from Madison, Pam rallied some friends and started Katrina Corps, an organization of volunteers ready and willing to do hard labor to bring New Orleans back to life.

“And, we showed up to say we’re inviting the youth of the nation to come and help us reclaim this city,” said Pam.

Volunteers give a week of their time, paying their own way.

Boots were on the ground starting Spring Break 2007. About 50 volunteers came that first week. Their mission: gut and clean out homes down to the 2 x 4′s.

“The very first week, Katrina Corps gutted more houses in a week than had ever been gutted by a particular group,” said Pam.

Pam was behind the scenes, helping to organize it all, giving her time and personal resources.

“Okay, you have to have trucks, okay, you have to have to feed people, you have to have hazmat suits, you have to have gas masks,” said Pam.

It is obvious Pam has mixed emotions about her time in New Orleans.

She now has lingering health issues from breathing in black mold.

She’s also torn between the amazing work volunteers have done and the mixed reaction they received there.

“Those that kept up appearances that they were supporting the recovery, and those that actually supporting of the recovery,” said Pam.

But Pam wouldn’t let some resistance stop her.

She was determined to help get people back into their homes.

“It was bigger than the work to be done,” said Pam. “It was honoring the families lives that had been there and making way for people to come home.”

Two and a half years later, Katrina Corps has gutted 120 homes, helped rebuild 210 homes and buildings, including schools, and has hosted more than 5,000 volunteers.

“I think she impacted a lot of lives,” said Jim Blair.

Jim Blair of Madison supported Pam’s mission and nominated her for the Jefferson Award.

“There were a lot of people who potentially would lose their home if they didn’t go through their homes and basically gut out the interior of their homes; the homes were going to be destroyed,” said Jim Blair.

“It’s this amazing gesture of love that people are making in an ongoing way that I am just grateful to have been a part of,” said Pam. “It was needed to be done and I was able to help make it happen.”

Because of her vision and commitment, Pam Murtaugh, is this month’s recipient of the Jefferson Award.

“We can’t forget the potential for power that we have to do good and that because we are alive we can change the world,” said Pam.

For more information on Katrina Corps visit: http://katrinacorps.org/

I’m guessing I’m not the first person to say that to you. You’ve probably heard it a lot during your time here in the New Orleans area, from the people whose homes and schools you’ve worked to put back together and whose favorite public spaces you’ve helped revive, or from those who’ve just crossed your paths somewhere along the way. You may have also heard some variation on the theme, based on the memorable line from Streetcar Named Desire about relying on the kindness of strangers. Perhaps it’s grown old by now.

But be patient. Please indulge us for getting emotional at the sight of a busload of you, heading out for a long day of work or treating yourselves to ice cream after a job well done. It’s just that we find it kind of overwhelming that you’re back again, or here for the first time, after 3 1/2 years.

Think about that; at your age, 3 1/2 years is an awfully big chunk of time. It’s probably hard for you to fully appreciate how it feels to be well into 2009, yet still living amid the wreckage of 2005.

You also might not grasp what it’s like to feel as if the rest of the world moved on a long time ago. We keep hearing about Katrina fatigue — honestly, don’t you think we have it too?

Yet we work hard to remind people that the vast majority of the Katrina victims aren’t scam artists. They’re just regular people whose only sin was thinking that the federal government’s levees wouldn’t disintegrate, homeowners fighting to get back to where they were on Aug. 28, 2005, when they still had houses and communities.

So thank you for not needing to be reminded.

You are not unique or even unusual for being here, but that doesn’t make you bit players. You are part of something enormous, something powerful. Every time you roll up your sleeves and pick up a hammer or screwdriver or shovel or paintbrush or garden hoe or ladle, you move a mountain.

Collectively, you’ve helped to save a way of life. My colleague Bruce Nolan, who writes about the flood of volunteers that hasn’t let up since the storm, swears that some of you have actually saved lives, literally, by showing up at exactly the moment when someone was ready to give up hope, and asking what you could do to help.

And you didn’t just help. You let people tell you their stories, allowed them to get some of the hurt out. You met people whose lives are very different from yours, and you showed them the respect and appreciation they deserve. You found joy in what’s quirky and wonderful about this place, and you gave it back to those who need it most. You listened, and for that, we thank you.

And there’s one other thing. You’ve shown enormous heart, even when your leaders have too often been heartless.

It was bad at all levels of government, but worst at the top, among the crowd that was in charge when the storm hit.

From the early days when they dithered while the city drowned, through years of bureaucratic fighting over rebuilding projects, they tried to distance themselves from the tragedy. They didn’t want to deal with it. They thought the people they represent all over the country didn’t have the will, or the interest, or the attention span, to rebuild an essential American city.

They talked down to you, in assuming you’d forgotten, or were too self-involved to care after the cable news moved on to the next big story.

You proved them wrong. And for that, we thank you most of all.

Stephanie Grace, Staff Writer, Times Picayune

If I’m lucky I’ll see you again before I leave for Australia. I am writing an email to all my friends about my trip and would like to include some of the stats that Marshall informed us about on our tour so if you have a source you prefer, I’d like to use that. Also I am encouraging them to donate to Katrina Corps…

M

We were told to go out and meet the people and to talk to them; I never expected to meet the people I did. And then to hear their stories was mind blowing. Talking to “Box” who is Fats Domino’s drummer, to talk to Miss Antoinette K-Doe; to talk to Guitar Slim Jr. whose father is a legend, to talk to Chucky C. To here what these leaders of jazz went through and yet how they continue to keep going gives me nothing but inspiration. As corny as it sounds, I benefited for more by going there than what I could ever give back. The dorm was not that great obviously, but all you do is sleep there so it personally didn’t bother me (and it was better than a gym floor). To all volunteers I say go to Bourbon street, talk to the musicians. Talk to the waiters and waitresses, talk to the voodoo priestess’. The group I was with went to “Naw’Lins Flava” twice. Yes the food was fantastic, but talking to Bruce the waiter and Chef Joy the owner made me realize just how incredible the city is. “Voluntourism” is my new favorite word.

I’m telling about my experience to all my co-workers in Carbon County Wyoming, and some are already wanting to go next year. Wyoming is a small state so word travels very fast amongst teachers throughout the state, so hopefully we will have more than just my name on that map for Wyoming.

In our area, we have some very well to do companies in the fields of oil, natural gas, and coal. If you have information I could give to these companies, I know they would probably donate money. Locally we have Devon (world’s largest oil exploration company) and Sinclair.

Thank you for your group and all that you do!!!
Tim Handle

Katrina Corps is currently helping clean up a former middle school and turn it into a community center/art center/etc called the Studio at Colton (http://www.cano-la.org/studio_at_colton.html). Our task today was painting on the third floor – through the day we got white on the walls and ceiling of an alcove and one hallway, then did the baseboards black in the alcove and three hallways. The day flew by and after painting baseboards all afternoon sitting on the tile floor my butt was so cold.

Part of the Studio at Colton is already open for business though, so as we painted through the day there was a steady stream of visitors coming by for the Prospect 1 art exhibit (http://www.prospectneworleans.org/) and a small craft fair. We just told the visitors we were the performance art piece. It was a good day…..

Thanks again,
Jake Gafner

Tara, Volunteer Coordinator

Miho


I am a preschool director who recently had one week off in June prior to the start of our summer program. Since my life tends to be very hectic as a single mom with a full-time career, I often look for places to go on my vacation that are relaxing so I can de-stress from the school year. However, having had a year filled with much drama, I decided to look for something different as I felt the need to bring some perspective back into my life and I thought volunteering might be the way to do this. I came across your organization through volunteermatch.com and decided the opportunity that was presented to help schools in New Orleans get ready for returning students was particularly interesting to me and would allow me to give back to the educational community. The age range of volunteers also allowed me to bring my teenage son along as well and offered him the opportunity to connect with people outside of his life in San Francisco and put in some community service hours for high school credits.

During the week we spent with Katrina Corps, we had the opportunity to work in the New Orleans area on two gutting and restoration projects -one outside of the city and one in the lower 9th ward. We also helped beautify a school in the city that had not had flooding but was well-used and in need of some tender loving care. It was all extremely exhausting, hard, hot work but was well balanced with outings in the evenings to have fantastic meals and hear great music. I somehow came back from the trip feeling very refreshed, rejuvenated and emotionally at peace more than I ever have from one of my relaxing vacations! My goal was to lend a hand and hopefully, help my son get a new perspective on his life (i.e. quit the griping about not being able to download music quickly to his ipod because his laptop is too old, etc.). Not only were these goals accomplished but my son also gained a focus in life. He has decided he wants to quickly finish high school and then head back down to continue helping out with the rebuilding process, focusing on the New Orleans and the Gulf Region disaster relief. I couldn’t have asked for more! Since my family originally came from Louisiana and some are still based there, having him reconnect to his roots was an added bonus.

Thank you for this wonderful opportunity to give back. Your organization is not only changing the lives of those affected by Hurricane Katrina but also the volunteers who work with you. I look forward to volunteering with you in the future as does my son, Eric!

Best wishes,

Annette

I know it sounds cliché, but the smells and sounds are what I remember most. There is so much about New Orleans that, from a glance, I did not like: the drinking, the partying, the smoking, the strip bars. But somehow things that mattered more to me showed themselves: Jazz clubs, Art, Tattoos, Southern drawls, Humid sticky, sweatiness, Kind folk, Volunteers, Genuine Hearts, Southern cuisine, Music, and more music. A Groove that was contagious.

I wanted so badly to paint my heart out—paint every school that needed painting. But, I have learned from my battle with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome that balance is key. So, I worked with Ray, Spencer, Marshall & Terry to make it happen my own way (with breaks, and one day off to rest). Ray set the schedule for the day. Spencer kept me company with his cute pup Casey. Marshall and Terry worked the field with me, and all were true caretakers. We also worked with RSD (Recovering School District). Troy, a 6’5” native Orleanian was RSD’s lead. His enthusiasm was infectious. There was also another guy from Americorps, Chris. He was working 40-hour weeks, with minimal pay. By the end, I helped manage 450 volunteers from Tulane University—wow that was a hefty ride. Katrina Corps was always front and center, happy to help me find my way. I appreciated their hospitality.

After visiting Ernie K. Doe’s and Preservation Hall Jazz band, I spent the rest of my free time in the 9th ward. I was and still am shocked. It is amazing to me how much neglect I saw, how fragile human life is to nature and how action, rather than lip-service, is the only way to unite and repair. Everywhere I turned in New Orleans, I felt warmth and welcome. I hope to return soon for volunteer experience II.

Thank you kindly and sincerely,

Quinn

Maggie
Woodlands School
Milwaukee, WI

I am trying to raise money for you guys. I hope something comes of it.

I love you all and will be back.

With love and gratitude,
Annie

I live in Wyoming and was visiting family in Milwaukee during the summer and stopped at a church that I used to play organ for. When I was there one of the members told me about Katrina Corps and that they were planning on going the first week of August (mind you she told me in July). I jumped at the opportunity, especially being a music teacher. New Orleans is the birthplace of the only American Artform. I plan on returning to New Orleans next summer for probably longer than the 1 week. It was a life altering experience.

We were told to go out and meet the people and to talk to them. I never expected to meet the people I did, and then to hear their stories was mind blowing. Talking to “Box” who is Fats Domino’s drummer; to Miss Antoinette K-Doe; to Guitar Slim Jr., who’s father is a legend; to Chucky C. Hearing what these leaders of jazz went through and yet how they continue to keep going gives me nothing but inspiration. As corny as it sounds, I benefitted more by going there than in what I could ever give back. The dorm was not that great obviously, but all you do is sleep there. So personally it didn’t bother me (and it was better than a gym floor). To all volunteers I say go to Burboun street. Talk to the musicians. Talk to the waiters and waitresses. Talk to the voo-doo preistess’. The group I was with went to “Naw’Lins Flava” twice. Yes the food was fantastic, but talking to Bruce the waiter and Chef Joy the owner made me realize just how incredible the city is. “Voluntourism” is my new favorite word.

I’m talking about my experience to all my co-workers in Carbon County Wyoming, and some are already wanting to go next year. Wyoming is a small state so word travels very fast amongst teachers throughout the state, so hopefully we will have more than just my name on that map for Wyoming.

In our area, we have some very well-to-do companies in the fields of oil, natural gas, and coal. If you have information I could give to these companies, I know they would probably donate money. Locally, we have Devon (worlds largest oil exploration company) and Sinclair.

Thank you for your group and all that you do!!!
Tim
Baggs, WY

I was a Katrina Corps volunteer from August 12th to August 18th. Being a Chicago public school teacher, who teaches a similar demographic population to those in the New Orleans Schools, I have become very aware of the lack of coverage of issues impacting race and class in America. While I have viewed many newscasts and documentaries with subjects as Katrina, the Lower Ninth Ward, and the rebuilding of New Orleans, I felt a need to get firsthand experience and a need to get “off of my behind” and do something. During my volunteer effort, I worked on a public school (John Dibert) and helped to clean a parking lot and waterways for The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Agency. During my trip to the lower Ninth Ward and my communications with residents, I have felt the despair, distrust and feelings of being forgotten by the national and local governments. The various people who are engaged in someway with the rebuilding effort, are overwhelmed. However, I consider them most worthy of my respect and honor as they continue to see a time when New Orleans will be rebuilt and functioning as a city that addresses the needs of all of its people, not just its wealthiest citizens and its businesses.

I consider myself a Katrina Corps volunteer for years to come. I expect to volunteer every year as this job is far from over. I have faith that this city will find its way and I intend to have a part in its direction.

I have returned home a more enlightened and proactive person. Thank You for the experience.

Rodney
Teacher, Montefiore Special School
Chicago, IL

Today I have watched numerous shows and read various articles about New Orleans. There is still so much to do and I would like to come back and help. As a teacher, I will be sharing the facts and emotions with staff and students. Hopefully, they will be called to action materially and by building a connection with students and teachers from the affected schools. Relationships between the students could have positive outcomes. Good luck and please let us know how the situation progresses and what the needs are currently.

Carol (teacher, Milwaukee)

It’s been a while since I was down in N.O. with you, gutting houses over Spring Break. In the months since that memorable week, life at school and abroad as been as busy as can be. I never forgot, however, the sights that I saw and the stories that I heard while in New Orleans.

Just the other day, on ESPN Sportscenter, I was watching a short program about last year’s New Orleans Saints football team, and they flashed on the screen a picture of a ravaged house in the Lower Ninth. I took the same exact picture of the same exact house from the same exact angle while I was in N.O. Seeing it on the TV like that was a forceful reminder of my own experience.

Just today, I finally had the opportunity to look through all of the pictures that I took. I haven’t been back since Spring Break, but I’m certain that Katrina Corps is still working admirably to do all that they can for those who, when the hurricane hit the city, lost much that we others take for granted. I urge people to help in any way they can, and I commend Katrina Corps and its volunteers for doing so already.

Sincerely,
Josh
Davidson College

I hope that this blog finds you all well and happy. We’re currently in week 4 of our summer session, and it’s been eye opening. My transition from a volunteer in March, to now being Volunteer Coordinator has been extremely cool. It’s a lot of fun to be able to see Katrina Corps from two different perspectives. It’s neat to be able to recollect my experience as a volunteer, and then apply that to my job. The time down here seems to fly by, although New Orleans still retains its laid back, southern style of living.

The coolest thing for me has been, by far, meeting new volunteers each week. I’m constantly surprised by the attitudes of our volunteers. It is invigorating to be around people who are so cause-oriented. Despite being from different areas all over the country, and even world, we are all united by the single cause of bringing New Orleans back to where it was pre-Katrina. The interaction between volunteers is great as well. I like to watch volunteers who seemingly have nothing in common, sit around and talk for hours. It’s extremely gratifying to be down here, and I think I can speak for the entire crew down here, when I say that the Volunteers are really why we wake up early each morning.

We’ve been expanding our skills each week as well. We’ve done projects at Community Centers and schools, besides continuing to gut homes. We’re learning not only how to take something down, but also how to build things back up. Whether that is putting up drywall in La Place or painting classrooms at Benjamin Banneker Elementary, we’re getting a taste of the whole NOLA experience.

The crew is doing really well. Terry, Iver, Marshall, Ray and I have developed a strong rapport with each other, and I think that we’re all getting very used to how each other work. Things are falling into place, and we’re getting a lot done. The biggest problem that we have faced is the heat, which I must say is at times, VERY hot. But it is only an obstacle that we have worked through.

I think the people around here are truly realizing that we are in this for the long-haul. I think that most organizations have developed a great respect for Katrina Corps because we keep proving to everyone that “Impossible is Nothing.”

Peace and Love,
Spence Paschal
Volunteer Coordinator