Faith Groups Are “Driving Forces” in Post-Katrina Efforts
From CNN
Editor’s note: CNN’s Melissa Morgenweck brings us this story about a church in New York and its efforts to help rebuild New Orleans five years after Hurricane Katrina. Faith groups have been one of the driving forces behind helping people in New Orleans get back into their homes.
Grace Church New Orleans sent a letter asking for help from other Grace Churches around the United States after its building was flooded in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Grace Church New York City responded, and eight volunteers traveled to New Orleans in 2006. The group helped with repairs on the church and volunteered with an Episcopal Community Services rebuilding program cleaning out flooded homes.
The Rev. Linda Bartholomew of Grace Church NYC says it was immediately evident that one volunteer trip would not be enough. She made the decision for Grace Church NYC to make a 10-year commitment to help rebuild New Orleans.
Nell Bolton, who heads up Episcopal Community Services New Orleans, says there was great power in that decision: “At a time when a lot of people in Louisiana were still in shock and awe of everything that needed to be done, Grace saw something that we couldn’t yet see.”
