In my previous post, I was (beyond) pleased to bring you some Gulf Coast goodness. A simple, unexpected search had me down in the dumps and I, consequently, felt it important to acknowledge some good in the world.
So while I wanted to continue the thread, further tipping my hat at the thousands of people that continue to pull light from the clouded confines of the coastal South, I re-read my post and have since concluded it's crap. I think I'm going to revert back to my odds-and-ends posting. I'm thinking too much without saying anything.
But I digress...
Here's some great organizations, followed by a brief summary of their work:
100 Homes in 100 DaysAn Affordable Housing Initiative leading an effort to rebuild 100 homes in 100 calendar days, in order to address the issue of insufficient housing in Pascagoula, Mississippi.
Hands On Gulf CoastA disaster response project of the
Hands On Network that focuses on an array of volunteer projects. They are working to
rebuild and revitalize coastal Mississippi through the deliberate involvement of volunteers in community-based projects that empower residents to create a more promising future for their communities.
Hands On Gulf Coast Blog
Engineers Without Borders
A wonderfully involved organization (similar in structure to
Doctors Without Borders, et al.)that designs and implements engineering projects in developing communities around the world. Projects like their
Capdau School Playground project, as well as their
Rebuilding After Katrina Using Local Resources, tend to fall by the media wayside due to their faceless nature, but need to be recognized.
Americorps is by far one of the largest orgnaizations servicing
Louisiana,
Mississippi,
Alabama,
Florida and
Texas. Don't believe me?
Americorps have provided more than 16,000 people of all ages and backgrounds are helping to meet local needs, strengthen communities, and increase civic engagement through 304 national service projects across Mississippi; with an additional 24,000 people and 262 national service projects in Louisiana, more than 100,000 people and 332 national service projects in Texas, 21,000+ people working on 111 national service projects throughout Alabama, and 82,000 people working on 213 projects in Florida.
243,000 people + 1222 projects = the Corporation for National and Community Service providing upwards of $110,500,000 to support Gulf Coast communities through national service initiatives.
Wow.
The Restaurant Opportunities Center of New Orleans
3500 Canal St., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70113, United States
Phone: 504-931-0369
The Restaurant Opportunities Center of New Orleans is a member based organization dedicated to improving work conditions and raising industry standards for all people working in New Orleans’ restaurants. They survey and interview the city’s restaurant workers in order to educate the public and fight for improved industry standards.
The Edible Schoolyard NOLAWith undoubtedly the prettiest logo of them all, ESY NOLA aims to create and sustain an expansive organic garden on the public school campus of Samuel J. Green Charter School in New Orleans. The Edible Schoolyard is integrating organic gardening and fresh seasonal cooking into the school’s curriculum, culture and food programs. It involves students in all aspects of farming the garden—along with preparing, serving and eating the food—as a means of awakening their senses and encouraging awareness and appreciation of the transformative values of nourishment, community, and stewardship of the land.
Due to ongoing budget woes, it looks as though the Santiago Calatrava-designed structure will need to undergo a post-design facelift. Some might find this sad, but judging by the comments section in the story below, NY locals think the money should obviously be spent elsewhere.
From Gothamist:
CityRoom notes Calatrava had previously said of the hub, "On a beautiful summer day, the building can work not as a greenhouse but as an open space,” on beautiful days and the anniversary of September 11 each year. Now, the Port Authority says, “This is a tough choice, but it is the right choice. It’s reflective of the kinds of choices we simply must make in the coming weeks and months if we are to establish priorities and milestones, to which we can be held accountable.”
