toledoblade.com -- Reconnecting on the Gulf Coast

toledoblade.com -- Reconnecting on the Gulf Coast:

"...the residents of Bay St. Louis and Pass Christian breathed sighs of relief and celebrated recently when a new $267 million span was opened, closing a two-mile gap created by the storm's savage fury in August, 2005.

The bridge was constructed in only 10 months, half the expected schedule. In the meantime, commuters had to take a 45-minute detour north to Interstate 10 to get to the other side of St. Louis Bay. Businesses suffered from the isolation, as did the spirit of local residents.

The opening, which comes at the beginning of another hurricane season, is 'major, psychologically,' a restaurant owner told the New York Times. 'It just feels like we're moving, making progress, we're going forward.'"

Is killer storm still taking a toll? - Yahoo! News

Is killer storm still taking a toll? - Yahoo! News:

"The bodies are no longer being dragged from houses and buildings toppled by Hurricane Katrina, but nearly two years later many in the medical community think the storm is still killing....Storm survivors are dying from the effects of both psychological and physical stress, from the dust and mold still in dwellings to financial problems to fear of crime, health experts and officials say."

Crosslisted on BonaRespondsBlog.

Small towns hit by Katrina struggle to rebuild | U.S. | Reuters

Small towns hit by Katrina struggle to rebuild | U.S. | Reuters: "

When hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans it also ravaged a series of small towns. Nearly two years later they have faded from the spotlight but are still struggling to rebuild.

Katrina left a trail of damage from Mobile, Alabama, through the cities of Gulfport and Biloxi with their casinos all the way along the coast to the Louisiana-Texas state line.

Recovery has been 'at best, uneven' according to a recent report by the Rockefeller Foundation. Many towns, including Pass Christian, Mississippi, face a particular challenge because of their small tax base."

David Campbell and Hands On

Here is the video (maybe I should say an audio, the quality of video is poor) of David's presentation that is mentioned in the Buffalo News article.


The Buffalo News: Buffalo/Erie County:

"When Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast almost two years ago, they were there to answer the call for help.

When an earthquake hit the Indonesian island of Java on May 27, 2006, they arrived three days later to start the rebuilding process.

And the next time a disaster occurs, they will be there again to pick up the shattered pieces and weather the storm.

These people are the fabric of Hands On Worldwide, a U.S.- based nonprofit organization with Western New York leadership. Its chief executive officer and co-founder is Amherst native David Campbell."

and later:

"Hands On USA was launched less than a year later when the organization sent more than 1,500 volunteers to Biloxi, Miss., after Hurricane Katrina. This group included significant Western New York participation from student and faculty volunteers from St. Bonaventure University and Alfred State College."

Cross posted on BonaResponds blog as well

Hands On Blog » Blog Archive » Dear Friends…

I just realized that I never blogged this! It is from Carrie who left Handson after an amazing stay!
Hands On Blog » Blog Archive » Dear Friends…:

"I am very excited about the work and trajectory of Hands On Gulf Coast and know that we are setting ourselves up to be a long term, sustained presence in this community. It has been a privilege to work with such an inspired and committed group of individuals. So many people have given this the best of themselves towards this effort, and I know will continue to do so. Our little experiment in the Gulf has shown me that it is possible for this many people to come together and work and love so hard to build and sustain something they believe in. A place whose message ministers to our souls in the deepest sense and keeps people coming back."

Follow the link, there is much more!

Bye Carrie, you will be missed!

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: New Senior Village Dedicated In Biloxi

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: New Senior Village Dedicated In Biloxi:

"The neatly manicured affordable retirement home is on the eastern tip of Biloxi's $36 million Hope VI community. A ribbon cutting ceremony officially opened the Biloxi Housing Authority's 76 unit living center for area retirees."

Post-Traumatic Stress Spikes In New Orleans - Yahoo! News

Post-Traumatic Stress Spikes In New Orleans - Yahoo! News:

"About 38 percent of people who were evaluated in New Orleans emergency rooms have post-traumatic stress disorder, a study has found.

That's 10 times the prevalence of the disorder in the general population.

Researchers said that Hurricane Katrina was one of the most significant natural disasters in U.S. history."