Rebuilding New Orleans with Hands, Hope, and Healing
A Resource Handbook for Immersion & Service Groups

SECTION FIVE: I’M BACK ON CAMPUS… WHAT NOW?

So you are back on campus, and you may be wondering, what now?  What does all this pain and suffering, joy and gratitude, hope and love, injustice and violence mean?  Can I do anything to keep it from occurring?  Here are some tips:

TIP ONE: KEEP DONATING

There are so many ways to donate financially to really improve the lives and ministries of the people along the Gulf Coast.  These are just a few to consider.

• The Fr. Pedro Arrupe Fund, The Jesuits of the New Orleans Province

This fund will support the storm-related needs of the New Orleans Province and its apostolates— e.g., the rebuilding of Immaculate Conception Rectory, the Province offices, and Jesuit High New Orleans—so that we can continue to serve our communities. Some of these places suffered losses in the millions of dollars.

• The St. Peter Claver Fund, The Jesuits of the New Orleans Province

This fund is directed to services to the poor and homeless in their post-hurricane needs through such affiliated apostolates as the Tompson Homeless Shelter, Good Shepherd Nativity School, the Thensted Center, and Café Reconcile. You can help the Jesuits help others by supporting these works. In years to come, these ministries will continue to be providing hope for the poor — so that they may rebuild their lives with dignity.

• The American Red Cross (www.redcross.org) In response to the devastation caused by recent disasters, retail stores, banks and internet sites nationwide are showing their support of American Red Cross disaster relief efforts by making it easy for their customers to pitch in. Through the "Your Help Counts" customer donation program, customers at participating locations can conveniently make cash donations, during their everyday errands, in support of those affected by disasters to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund or International Response Fund. You can view the list online at the website: www.redcross.org/sponsors/yhc.html

• Catholic Charities USA (www.catholiccharitiesusa.org) is an organization dedicated to providing services and financial support in the Catholic Community.  They have a specialized page that explains more about their Hurricane Katrina response which can be accessed at: http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/news/HurricaneRelief05.cfm

TIP TWO: SPREAD THE WORD

It is really important when you get back to your campus, high school, church, or community, to take the time to share:

• your thoughts and reflections,
• your discussions and activities,
• and your pictures and mementos. 

Have some fun while you give presentations, do community awareness campaigns, write editorials, or  fundraise: Maybe even throw in a Mardi Gras themed party or have a pot luck with traditional New Orleans Cajun foods, like jambalaya, gumbo, red beans and rice, po’ boys, catfish, or café au lait and beignets. 

You could even make an online Wishlist through Target or The Home Depot and have people donate supplies the next time they are in one of those stores or online.

The more hype you make, the more people will remember that the situation is still pretty grave and there is good reason to donate time, talents, and treasures to help in the recovery efforts.

TIP THREE: HOLD YOUR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES ACCOUNTABLE

These are some of the bills related to Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts that are still pending in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives. 

You can continually update yourself by accessing the most up-to-date information through the Library of Congress’ Search Engine found at: thomas.loc.gov   Just type in the bill number (i.e. H.R.3894, S.2088, etc.) and the information will appear.  Here is a sampling of bills to pay attention to:

• H.R.1461 — Federal Housing Finance Reform Act of 2005 
• Goal: To reform the regulation of certain housing-related Government-sponsored enterprises, and for other purposes.  Includes provision targeting affordable housing funds to areas affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
• Last Major Action: Referred to Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs on 31 October 2005

• H.R.4514 — Hurricanes Katrina and Rita Recovery Homesteading Act of 2005
• Goal: To assist low-income families, displaced from their residences in the States of Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi as a result of Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita, by establishing within H.U.D. a homesteading initiative that offers displaced low-income families the opportunity to purchase a home owned by the Federal Government, and for other purposes.
• Last Major Action: Referred to House Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity on 10 January 2006

• S.2172 — Hurricane Katrina Response Act of 2005
• Goal: To provide for response to Hurricane Katrina by establishing a Louisiana Recovery Corporation, providing for housing and community rebuilding, and for other purposes.
• Last Major Action: Referred to Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs on 21 December 2005

There have also been several bills that were passed and written into law.  These are referred to as Public Laws (P.L.s), but also have the original bill number when it was introduced into the House and/or Senate.  These include:

• P.L. 109-73 / H.R.3768 — Katrina Emergency Tax Relief Act of 2005

• P.L. 109-135 / H.R. 4440 — Gulf Opportunity Zone Act of 2005

• P.L. 109-148 / H.R. 2863 — Department of Defense Appropriations Act of 2005  (Division B of bill contains $29bn in emergency supplemental appropriations relating to Katrina.)

To learn about what some interest groups have to say about the proposed bills and enacted laws go to:

• NETWORK: A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby
  “Responding to Hurricane Katrina.”
  http://www.networklobby.org/issues/katrina_budget1.htm

• National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy
  “Katrina: Congress’ Piecemeal Response—A review of Post-Katrina legislative responses.”
  http://www.ncrp.org/katrina-congress_piecemeal_response.asp

• National Association of Affordable Housing Lenders
  “More than 50 bills Introduced in Congress to Assist Hurricane Victims.”
  http://www.naahl.org/jsps/news/whats_new_detail.jsp?nid=9973

TIP FOUR: PRAY AND KEEP IN TOUCH

When you get back, praying in all its forms can help you to always be mindful of the blessings you each have received and to ask God for fortitude in the challenging months ahead.  Also, remember the victims and the survivors of Hurricane Katrina when prayer intentions are verbalized in a group meeting, at church, etc.  It will make people who have not thought about the situation in New Orleans mindful again and more prayers will continue to flow.

Keep in touch with the people you have met down in New Orleans, and keep your promises to them if you made any—they may be depending on you.  Everyone needs support and encouragement: from the residents you work with on clean-up to the people who are helping coordinate your service/immersion experience. 

Also keep in touch with those in your group.  They can help you to readjust when you get back home.  Have a post-service reflection and gathering to process the trip and to start awareness planning.  Your trip companions will be your support network.

TIP FIVE: TAKING IT LOCAL—EXPERIENCE, REFLECTION, ACTION

Many residents of New Orleans want those who live in other cities to think about how their city could be affected by a severe natural disaster like Hurricane Katrina.  Who would be left behind?  Where in the city would people go for shelter?  Continue the Pastoral Circle, applying it to your own community.  Once you are back, try hooking up with a local service agency to begin volunteering at home too.  Once you understand the unjust structures in place in your own city you can be better work to change them.  Remember: Experience.  Reflect.  Act.