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NAHRO HEADS SOUTH FOR THE WINTER |
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After the trip was over, there were lots of pictures to send around, and an article in the NAHRO Journal of Housing and Community Development sharing the experience with those who could not join us. We also gave a presentation at the NAHRO New England Regional Council meeting. Below are some links to pictures, the article and the presentation. I hope you enjoy them, and if you would like to have us post your pictures from the trip (or a link to them) on this site, just email me at droberts@nahro.org.
Saturday, February 3, 2007 5:00pm Thursday afternoon, after our group shot, folks continued working, more aware than ever that we only had one day left. Once we dragged them off the work site though, they cleaned up nicely, and we had a great dinner at Mary Mahoney's in Biloxi, followed for some by a walk across the street to the Beau Rivage. None of this kept our volunteers from showing up the next morning at the regular time, and the final push was on. By the level of effort and enthusiasm, you would have thought it was the first day, rather than the last. Our kitchen group returned to the community center to provide a final hot lunch, and the rest soldiered on with demolition and working to complete the roofing project. We have been talking about how to provide access to the many pictures taken by NAHRO's Sylvia Gimenez, Praveen Mantena from Fannie Mae, and the official Fannie Mae photographer. At last count, Sylvia alone had taken 658 pictures. NAHRO will be sending cd's of our pictures to each agency involved, and over the next weeks will be posting a link to an online site for downloading pics. Any of the other many photo-snappers who were there are welcome to send us their pics as well for posting. We will also be posting some additional photos on this blog next week as we are going through them, and share with you our hopes for this first blogging effort: that for those of you who were with us in Long Beach, it provides a log of some of your experiences, and brings a smile as you reflect back on your time on this effort; and for those of you who could only be with us in spirit, that by following along with the efforts of your friends and colleagues you not only got a sense of what they were doing, but perhaps will be encouraged to participate the next time we have such an opportunity. A final thank you to our volunteers, our supporters, and to the Long Beach Housing Authority for welcoming us with true southern hospitality.
Kaye Guy with her Laurel team and Dionne Vic and Beth take a moment to enjoy all the Roberts in front of their first completed roof. efforts of the team, and to say hello.
Mary Mahoney's sign on the 2nd floor Daniel Farrell presents Lanelle Davis with showing where the water came to during a hard hat signed by all of the volunteers Hurricane Katrina. during the dinner.
Skip Sipos surveys the tools laid out on Joe Darby delivers shingles to the roofing Friday morning for the final push. crews.
The clean up teams continue clearing So that the cleaned out units look like this.\ debris from the demo units.
Lanelle and Don in her office at the Stan keeps the work moving with Housing Authority. plywood delivery.
And we get an answer to the age old question "How many roofers can you fit on a roof?" as they double team to get this roof closed in on the final day.
Thursday, February 1, 2007 5:30pm First, let me say Happy Birthday to Dexter Scott who celebrated with us on Wednesday, and Tina Akers-Brown whose birthday is today. By the end of yesterday, things were starting to come together. Even as rain continued to threaten our efforts for Thursday, you could certainly see the progress being made. You could also see the friendships being formed, as large groups headed out to dinner - one to the Shed for BBQ, and the other to McElroy's for seafood and some mysterious blue drink. Today, we dodged the raindrops as they came and went, and forged ahead. We were fortunate to have a mid morning treat when NAHRO President Don Cameron and his wife Faye arrived midmorning with a ham and cheese loaf for all. Even better, some of our volunteers broke off to provide us with a hot lunch - homemade vegetable soup, rice and beans and cornbread. Yes, we were a contented bunch, even as the air got colder and that water kept falling out of the sky when least expected. We also finally managed to get a group shot, which you'll see at the end. There are some missing from the picture whose efforts should not go unnoticed - Brian Power, Felecia Jackson, and others. Tonight we have a final dinner at Mary Mahoney's in Biloxi, and tomorrow you'll be seeing those pictures, as well as those of the houses as we leave them and all head back to our respective worlds. Even as yesterday we could not believe it was only the third day, today it is even harder to imagine that the adventure is, for now, almost over. And now, our volunteers:
At the end of Wednesday, two rooms Looking even better was the finished had been gutted to the studs, and they roof on this house. looked good!
But clearly, there was more work to be Eddie Ross, fresh from his interview done. for Fannie Mae's documentary, waving to his fans.
Donald Martin, Chris Jones and Marty Thomas relax in the community room Thursday morning as we wait for our work assignments.
Undeterred by the rain, David Sawatzki Vic Mays on the other hand, is taking the has heard it will be 60 degrees and rain far more seriously. dresses accordingly.
Faye Cameron arrives from Charleston Don Cameron thanks Eileen Neely with "Hurricane Loaves", which she and and Sylvia Gimenez for their efforts. Don have been bringing down on visits since Katrina.
LaShanta Deruise, Tamika McGilberry Our lunch volunteers, who received a and a volunteer to be name lated plan hearty round of applause from their peers. their attack.
Our happy group, after a great lunch. Can you tell which volunteer is also working their day job by taking an important call? Wednesday, January 31, 2007 2:38pm As we start the third day the rain has gone and a sunnier, though colder, day is on the horizon. Many of us can't believe we've only been at this for two days, given the amount of work that has gotten done, and the number of ibuprofen ingested. After yesterdays's press event there was coverage on the local evening news and in the paper, and so a few among us will leave more famous than when we arrived. If nothing us we are famous at the hotel, where every evening they have been kind enough to allow us to use the breakfast room for an evening hospitality. Last night this led to an American Idol viewing party - with all the rain many of us were happy to stay in - and more than one person saw the show for the first time. We have heard from many of you, through your friends and family volunteering here and directly, that you are following this blog and keeping up with our progress. Thank you for the feedback, since it serves as further encouragement to keep the blog going during this effort, and to seriously think about a permanent approach to documenting our time here once we get back. One outcome of the blog is that NAHRO's Northeast Regional Council, which is having its conference last week, has requested that I (Dionne Roberts, since we have not been formally introduced) join them at their luncheon to talk about the experience here in Long Beach. I look forward to seeing my NERC NAHRO colleagues next Tuesday. So here are some pics from today.
Nothing starts off the day better at the work A few of the fencing team get instructions site than some Krispy Kreme donuts, before heading off the start the day. thoughtfully provided by our LISC friends.
Adam Treadgill looks over from putting the Even as around the corner, efforts on a new finishing touches on a roof. roof gets underway. A now a few candid shots....
Americorps volunteers on hand from LISC take a well earned break during lunch.
The unstoppable Charles Jenkins tries to Meanwhile, we're pretty sure Daniel sees pretend he doesn't see the camera. the camera.
Our Salt Lake County fellas give a wave from on high.
A mystery man (aka Wiliam Brown) works Masked women Lisa Zukoff and Dionne Roberts at demo inside one of the houses with a clear sheetrock and insulation from the same new roof. house.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007 5:48pm THE WORK CONTINUES.... During the first day, the volunteers made great strides in getting this volunteer effort off the ground. After lunch (see the end of the blog from Monday) the group continued their efforts.
Maria Day-Marshall, Evelynn Brown and Steve Diminuco takes Stacie Birenbach clear removed shingles removed plywood to the dumpster
Marty Thomas and Joe Darby cut new plywood for the roof repairs that need to be done.
Jay Schlaffer from Fannie Mae helps team members move debris into the dumpster And a new roof begins to emerge under the care of Chris Jones, Brian Power, David Sawatzki, Keven Georgia and Adam Threadgill.
And by the end of day one, four roofs had been completely cleared and had new decking, while on one the shingles had even been started. A unit had been also been cleared, making way for its roof repairs to begin. The second day of work began under the threat of stormy skies. Volunteers got into gear quickly, continuing work on the roofs begun the day before, and starting some new projects as well. Praveen Mantena, Mirando Do, Skip Sipos, Diane Ramsay and Daniel Farrell get their instructions for the next project from Stan Slie and Joe Darby.
Vicki Brandt and others begin tearing down a fence that needs to be reposted and replaced. While the work continued, preparations for a press event called by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development were underway. Ben Bell and Dionne Roberts set up the sound for the event.
Assistant Secretary Cabrera talks with Eileen Neely and Walt Laughlin of Fannie Mae while Dexter Scott continues work on aroof.
Ailrick Young serves as MC as Lanelle Davis, Brian Power, Tina Akers-Brown, Walt Laughlin, Evelynn Brown and Asst. Secretary Cabrera prepare to make remarks.
Tina Akers-Brown spoke on behalf of Vicki Brandt receives a Certificate of NAHRO, and thanked the volunteers for Appreciation from Mr. Cabrera on behalf of the doing what it took - providing "elbow Salt Lake County Housing Authority. grease" to make this effort happen. And then it was back to work for our hardworking folks. Rain continued to threaten, and teams worked doubletime to try and close up the roofs.
Donald Harrison, Paul Carson and A masked volunteer and Felicia Jackson Danny Kemper from Greensboro make short work of the fence that needed to continue their work. come down. And yes, the rain eventually did join us here in Long Beach. With tomorrow's blog, you'll be seeing more quotes from our friends on the ground as well as a continuing journal of our progress here in Long Beach.
Monday, January 29, 2007 2:50pm A DAY IN THE LIFE..... Up and out of the hotel by 8am, our volunteers arrive at the Long Beach Housing Authority in a caravan.
Sign at the entrance to the area where the The group immediately starting setting up team is working under the direction of Stan Slie from MD Strum
The crew from the Greensboro Housing Volunteers from Laurel (MS), Salt Lake County Authority hits the roof. (UT) and Corinth (MS) Housing authorities start taking off a roof.
Donald Martin from Region VI Housing Once the roof is removed, the ground Authority operates the forklift to take away volunteers can move in and start taking away debris and deliver supplies to the roofers. the debris.
Ground volunteers from Fannie Mae, LISC And completely gut a unit while they are at it! and NAHRO clear away debris....
Miranda Do and Moustafa Fathy from Fannie Stacie Birenbach from LISC waves as the Mae work with Skip Sipos (Medina, OH) and group stops (briefly!) for lunch. Johnny Gardner (Laurel, MS) to put new plywood onto a stripped roof. Yes, all this work was done in just the first morning in Long Beach!
Sunday, January 28, 2007 9pm Welcome! Volunteers began rolling into Mississippi last night, and this afternoon we started off with a tour of the surrounding area.
Blue tarps continue to be a common site on Some houses will eventually be demolished houses that are still standing
Trailers - "The way of the world around Thankfully, rebuilding is happening, often here" according to Walt Laughlin from with commercial leading the way Fannie Mae.
"I'm just glad to be here and hope I can make a difference... They could have left after the hurricane but they didn't. That's what really impressed me about the whole thing: people are rebuilding." William Brown, Greensboro (NC) Housing Authority This tour was a great way for everyone to get a sense of what has been happening in the area, and afterwards everyone went to the Long Beach Housing Authority's Community Center for a team meeting....and a little pizza!
Finally, many thanks to Mississippi NAHRO, for hosting a hospitality back at the Hampton Inn where we are all staying!
Tina Akers-Brown, Brian Power and Lisa Zukoff spend some quality time during the hospitality hosted by Mississippi NAHRO
SEE YOU TOMORROW!!!! |
