New Orleans has come a long way in the last four years. But while the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina is and should be a celebration of the rebuilding that's already happened, it is also a time to honor the lives lost to Katrina and to remind the rest of America the work here is far from done.
According to the latest data, close to 80 percent of the city is back overall. But in the poorest neighborhoods, the numbers are much lower. In the Lower 9th Ward, where Make It Right is building 150 affordable, green homes, only 19 percent of the residents have come home. The reasons? Not enough affordable houses and apartments. And basic services are still not available. Only one of three schools has reopened. Neither of the two hospitals that provided health care in the Lower 9th Ward are back in business. And there still is no grocery store in the neighborhood.
That's why even though there is much progress to celebrate on this anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, we still need your help to get the job done.
What Can You Do? Pledge To:
* Write a letter to your local newspaper, asking people in your community to not forget the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
* Contact your Senators and Representative in Congress and ask what they're doing to ensure we keep our commitments to those who lost their homes to Katrina.
* Ask five friends to do the same!
Sign Pledge
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Keep up the great work. Look what you've accomplished!
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