Ward “Mack” McCleldon was a private citizen and long-time resident of the Lower Ninth Ward. After hurricane Katrina, He ended up in a small town in Mississippi. This was the first step in his soon to be life altering decisions. The people of this town were the finest examples of kind, altruistic, loving humans the world can show.
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.