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LouisianaRebuilds.info is collecting the personal stories of Louisianans who are rebuilding their lives, homes, and communities from hurricane disasters.

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Since 1958, youth from the Northshore area have come to Camp Te Ca Towazi to meet new friends, learn new skills, and swim in the freezing cold creek! The camp serves an average of 400 children per summer. In 2006, 575 youth attended a partially opened camp.

Camp Fire USA Towazi Council is asking for help to complete rebuilding Camp Te Ca Towazi for these youth after Hurricane Katrina. Last year campers were limited in their space and activities, because so much of the property and the buildings were destroyed. Specifically our main shelter, and four small pavilions (shelters.)The Council is seeking sponsorships, material donations and volunteers to aid in rebuilding. Due to the extent of damage, repair and maintenance costs much help is needed to be ready for the camp 2007. Our happy thought is that through the help of many local and out-of-state organizations and businesses, we are half-way to completion.

About our program: The simple philosophy behind Camp Te Ca Towazi is that an outdoor experience helps children to work within a group, make friends, build self-esteem, make good decisions and learn firsthand about ecology, conservation and the interrelationships of all living things. Camp Fire believes that being together, doing things together and sharing feelings about the experience are as important as the actual activities. The camp serves pre-k through eighth grade campers and 9-12 graders are part of a counselor-in-training program at the camp.

T A., Bogalusa, LA
April 11, 2007
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I was the owner of a 2 person small business run by myself, and elderly father. This business was my family's only source of income, and with all of our savings we started this business just 30 days prior to hurricane Katrina. With little start up money we were thankful to have opened the doors to our business, but were unable to afford insurance. Needless to say ours was a total loss. Now completely devastated, without income, or hope, we are still struggling, and looking forward to what seems to be a bleak future. Even so we are not bitter, because all of our loved ones are safe, and there is a tomorrow. I'm very afraid to return to what was home, and am still struggling with the memory of my loss. Unlike so many other small business persons I was not eligible for assistance, and pray some how allowance be made to help persons in my condition.It is our desire to again start our business, and with God's grace we will...

harley s., duluth, GA
March 14, 2007
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I would like to say thanks to Loyola University Xavier & University of New Orleans along with Seedco Origination & Share Our Strength Origination out of New York and Washington DC for $99,000 Loan to helping reopen Jazzy Po-Boys Restaurant& Bar in the upper 9th ward 1700 Port Street New Orleans La. featuring Authentic New Orleans Po-Boys Real "SLOW COOK ROAST BEEF" featuring Live Entertainment Open Late Nights NOTHING SAYS WELCOME BACK TO NEW ORLEANS LIKE SETTING DOWN AT WARM FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE EATTING ONE OF CHEF KEVIN'S TOASTED PO-BOY'S

Kevin P., New Orleans, LA
March 14, 2007
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HELLO, FELLOW KATRINA, AND RITA SURVIVORS, THE PAST YEAR FOR ME AND MY HUSBAND DONALD ,HAS BEEN FULL,OF STRESS, HEARTACHE, DEPRESSION, WE WERE DISPLACED,FROM SLIDELL,LA. IN THE SNUG HARBOR COMMUNITY,BEFORE FORT PIKE AREA. WE TOOK MANY PHOTOS,OF THE AREAS. WE WENT AND SALVAGED LOTS OF OUR ITEMS,ON THE LOT,AND PARTS OF THE HOUSE,WHAT WAS NOT STOLEN. WE WOULD GO TO SLIDELL, JUST TO SEE THE LOT, VISIT FRIENDS,GO TO MY ARTHRITIS DOCTOR. MANY AREAS STILL,TO THIS DAY,LOOK LIKE, WAR HIT IT,OR A THIRD WORLD COUNTRY. WE RELOCATED TO BATON ROUGE,ONLY FOR SIX MONTHS. WE FIRST STAYED WITH A COUPLE THAT,S HIS FRIENDS FOR ONE WEEK,THEN RENTED A HOUSE IN BR FROM HIS XWIFE,WHO,S HOOKED UP,WITH HIS FRIEND.IN JANUARY 2006,DON PURCHASED US,ANOTHER HOUSE, THRU THE FHA. WE WERE TIRED OF DEALING WITH FEMA, SBA. BUT WE KEPT ON TRUCKING THRU ,NOT GIVING UP. WE WERE GETTING EMERGENCY FOOD STAMPS UNTIL DECEMBER2005.OUR MORTGAGE IS WITH WELLS FARGO. WE MOVED TO THE SMALL TOWN OF CLINTON,IN EAST FELICIANA PARISH IN FEBRUARY ON THE 21ST,2006.WE LIKED CLINTON,WAY BEFORE KATRINA.WE HAVE DECENT,CHRISTIAN,MOSTLY NEIGHBORS.GREAT SPIRIT,LOTS OF PRAYERS,GOT US THRU.WE RECEIVED A RED CROSS DEBIT CARD IN SEPTEMBER 2005 IN SLIDELL. FINALLY, IN JULY 2006 WERE DISPERSED $10,000.THEN IN AUGUST 2006 DISPERSED, $30,00.00 FROM SBA,FOR PERSONAL LOSSES.WE ARE NOW WAITING ON SBA FOR OUR LOAN TO COME THRU TO PAY OFF WELLS FARGO.WE DID RECEIVE,BEFORE WE WERE MARRIED,$2,000.00,THEN , $2,358.00 RENTAL ASSISTANCE IN SEPTEMBER 2005.THEN AFTER WE MARRIED MY HUSBAND APPLIED FOR MORE RENTAL ASSISTANCE,RECEIVED $3,303.00. FEMA DENIED US BOTH FOR MOVING,STORAGE EXPENSES, ALSO MEDICAL EXPENSES.ALSO FOR PERSONAL LOSSES.WE ARE NEWLY WEDS. ONLY BEEN MARRIED FOR TEN MONTHS.I RENTED FROM HIM BEFORE KATRINA.DON RECEIVED $43,000 FROM FLOOD INSURANCE POLICY HAD TO PAY IT BACK TO CPB TO PAY OFF HIS MORTGAGE.HE RECEIVED $5,000.00 FOR HIS CONTENTS LOSS.HE HAD NO HOMEOWNER,S INSURANCE.I LOST MANY COLLECTABLES,I CANNOT REPLACE.ALSO AMERICAN INDIAN MONEY.DON LOST LOTS,LIKE ANTIQUE FURNITURE, TOOLS, 3 TVS,COMPUTER,ART WORKS,SILVERDOLLAR COINS,FISHING GEAR,CAMPING GEAR,CLOTHING,SHOES,MEDICINES PRESCRIPTION,3 PET CATS,ALSO HIS 1999 MERCURY SABLE CAR,THAT WAS PARKED AT FACTORY OUTLET MALL,6 MILES AWAY. ALSO MANY OTHER ITEMS HE LOST.I LOST 2 BICYCLES, A CHOPPER SCOOTER,ALSO CLOTHES,ETC.ALL WHAT WE BOTH LOST STILL HAUNTS US.FEMA QUALIFED ME FOR A FEMA TRAVEL TRAILER BUT I TURNED IT DOWN,SAID,I WAS NEWLY MARRIED, HAD 2 CHIHUAHUAS.BOTH MY DOGS SUFFERED FROM KATRINA,GOT SICK,NEEDED MEDICAL CARE.ALSO I GOT SICK NEEDED ER CARE IN BR.FEMA FINALLY QUALIFIED MY HUSBAND FOR A TRAVEL TRAILER IN MARCH 2006.HE TURNED IT DOWN ,STATING WE JUST PURCHASED A HOUSE.WE GOT LUCKY,TO WHERE WE,DID NOT HAVE TO RENT A HOTEL OR MOTEL ROOM, OR LIVE WITH FRIENDS,OR FAMILY.ALSO NOT TO HAVE TO RENT A APARTMENT,OR MOBILE HOME TRAILER.DON HAS SOME FAMILY,IN BATON ROUGE.ALSO HIS EXSTEPDAUGHTER,WHO,S STILL HIS #1 GIRL AND HER KIDS,HUSBAND LIVE IN CLINTON.WE WANTED TO BE MORE RURAL,COUNTRY,THAN,SLIDELL IS.WE TRIED TO STAY IN ST TAMMANY PARISH,BUT COULD NOT FIND AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO PURCHASE.ALSO IN TANGIPAHOA PARISH,HAD NOTHING AFFORDABLE.WE DESPISE THE BIG CITIES AND IT,S CRIME,TRAFFIC INCREASES.WE TRIED TO GET A LOAN OR GRANT THRU RURAL HOUSING PROGRAM,BUT OUR CREDIT IS NOT VERY GOOD.I TRIED TO GET AN SBA LOAN FOR MYSELF ,BUT MY SSI IS TOO LOW TO PAY IT BACK.THIS WAS IN SEPTEMBER 2005.I RECEIVED $2,000.00 AS AN INDIVIDUAL FROM FEMA.WE GOT $665.00 RED CROSS DEBIT CARD AFTER KATRINA IN SEPTEMBER 2005.ONE PER HOUSE HOLD.AFTER SEEING ON TV NEWS,HEARING RADIO NEWS,READING NEWSPAPERS,ON THE INTERNET,IT WAS LIKE ,NOT IN OUR BACK YARD!!!!! WE WERE IN SHOCK,DENIAL,DESPAIR, TEARS,SADNESS,NERVEVENESS.WE WERE LIKE,WHY US??? SEEING RESCUERS,LOST PETS,DISPLACED PEOPLE ON TV,ALSO DEAD. MADE IT MORE REAL.ALSO,THE FLOODS,TIDAL SURGES.SNUG HARBOR IN SLIDELL HAD UP TO 30 FEET OF STORM SURGES.MOST OF THE SOUTHSIDE OF TOWN,WAS BADLY DAMAGED OR DESTROYED.LOOKED LIKE THE TERRORISTS,CAME AND BOMBED US!!!!!WHEN WE FIRST WENT TO THE PROPERTY,WE WERE,FLOORED,IN DISBELEIF.WE SAW RED CROSS,CONTRACTORS,MILITARY,POLICE,FEMA.HEARD CHOPPERS,PLANES IN THE AIR,MANY TIMES.EVEN PARTS OF NORTHSIDE OF SLIDELL,GOT SOME FLOODING,THE LOW PARTS.ALSO THE TOWN OF LACOMBE SUFFERED,FLOODING,STORM DAMAGES.NOW THERE ARE STILL BLUE TARPS ON ROOFS,WORKERS STILL REBUILDING.SLIDELL,WILL NEVER BE THE SAME.IT WAS MY ADOPTED HOMETOWN FOR 13 YEARS,MY HUSBAND,S FOR 10 YEARS.OUR MOTORCYCLES WERE RIDDEN TO OUTLET MALL,THEY HAD UP TO 6 FEET OF FLOODING WHERE OUR FRIEND WHO,S ALSO A FELLOW BIKER STASHED OUR BIKES.MY CHOPPER IS IN DENHAM SPRINGS ALL FIXED UP.NEWER LOOKING.DON SOLD HIS 1999 HONDA REBEL,IN EARLY JULY.HE ALSO LOST A WEED WHACKER,NEW LAWNMOWER,OLD LAWN MOWER,CRAB TRAPS,GAS CONTAINERS,PLANTS,BBQ GRILLS,OLD GREEN FLAT BOAT,2 OLD BOATS NEEDED WORK,ALSO AN OLD BOAT TRAILER.HIS FRIEND,FROM VERMONT,LOST HIS LINCOLN CONTINENTAL CAR.DON WAS STORING IT.HIS, FRIEND JOHN M.WAS BACK HOME.I,M JUST GLAD,WE ARE KATRINA SURVIORS.MY 1986 DODGE RAM TRUCK,WE BOUGHT IN AMITE,LA.WAS IN KATRINA,S WINDS,RAINS.SHE HAD SOME REPAIRS TO BODY FROM THE TREES FALLEN ON IT.I CALL ,MY TRUCK KATRINA BLUE RAM.SHE,S ALL DARK BLUE NOW.THE HARD ROCK SONG BLUE MONDAY IS COOL,AND SPEAKS FOR KATRINA,S ALSO,RITA,S VICTIM,S.ALSO,THE HARD ROCK SONG,WAKE ME UP,WHEN SEPTEMBER IS GONE ,IT,ALSO IS FOR US KATRINA AND RITA VICTIMS, OF THE STORMS,DO NOT GIVE UP,KEEP FIGHTING FOR FEMA,SBA,INSURANCE MONIES,ALSO PRAY,.GREAT SPIRIT LOVES US ALL!!! WITH MY LOVE MRS LYNELL GONZALES AND DONALDGONZALES.

LYNELL G., CLINTON, LA
December 7, 2006
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The word was out, we were to evacuate. But, I make my living with a one ton flatbed hauling oilfield supplies. I had a run to make to Lafayette. I told my daughter, Stephanie to pack some things and she and the baby, Little Brandon were to go ahead and leave. I had a problem with my right leg, it was swollen so badly at the knee I could not bend it. I was on my way home and I barely noticed the exodus of Plaquemainians leaving on 23 north. My knee was throbbing in agony all I wanted to do was to get home take some aspirin and go to bed. I had rode out Cindy, Danny, and Ivan, I thought this one was not going to be any worse. However, my daughter refused to leave without me. We evacuated to a friends house in Marksville, LA. And I have been wandering ever since. After hearing of the devastation from home. I moved on to Natchitoches, LA. Then I went to my sister's home in Mammoth Spring, AR.

I decided to trade my 2 ton truck in for a over the road truck and bring my sister, Nancy with me , She had been disabled for several years and was in rather dire circumstances at the time. My daughter had left with friends going to Iowa. My sister and I drove all over the lower 48 trying to make a living pay bills and live in a truck. Sometimes, We could only laugh at some of the predicaments we found ourselves in. it was either laugh or cry.

I did not think the oilfield would ever be the same as it was before. And I belatedly bought a house in Missouri in May of 2006. I have not been in the house to live in it yet. But what few things I accumulated and my sister had are still there.

We were slowly going in the hole financially trying to make a living over the road. We decided to come back and see for ourselves what was happening in the parish. Wow, I saw people who knew me. Hugs, How yall been doin? Where you been? When you comin home? Questions, When I looked at my sister, and saw the tears of happiness and felt my own dripping down my face, I knew we would find a way. She started looking on the internet for a place to buy.

She found this old house in Port Sulphur. She finally persuaded me to go and see. She saw lots of potential, I saw a lot of hard work. But, we decided to try and buy it. Thats when I heard about the Road home program and the Louisiana Housing finance. The Seller of the house was kind enough to let us go ahead and start cleaning up the property. Right now we are hoping to get our loan so we can buy the house. While I drive, My sister stays in a old leaking RV parked in back. She seems to be as happy as a lark doing what she can to pretty the place up. And we have friends who are willing to put in the time and effort to help us.

We were disappointed in the Road home program, But we believe if work and try hard enough someone somewhere will loan us the money to buy this place and come home for good. God Bless all Wilma

Wilma B., Buras, LA
December 7, 2006
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I thank God that I am well and alive today, I was employed at Memorial medical center (Baptist hospital) after have been called in to work long hours, tired hungry sleepy and no where to go after about 7 days I finally got out safe. I have never been through nothing like that in my entire life and I took that as a learning experience. I could have left the next day but I didn't have the heart to leave my co-workers because we were all in this thing together. I commend all the staff and employees of that hospital for their acts of kindness and hard work. Than to all the city and state officials who work so hard to restore order not to leave out the New Orleans police who also work day in and day out. I am now in Atlanta Georgia working and trying to put my life back together and waiting to return back to the Big Easy I love New Orleans and no one can take that away from me.

Charleen J., Lithonia , GA
November 27, 2006
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