Sunday Summary 7/1/07

Sunday Summary

Magnolia Market
• The Magnolia Farmers Market has been a blessing to the impoverished community of Central City New Orleans since the immediate aftermath of the storm. The volunteers who operate this point of distribution and the over-al experience of distributing in-kind donations from this location for the last couple of years has taught me so much its not even funny. The grandest thing I learned was how to distribute large quantities of in-kind without micro managing and have had plenty of opportunities to implement patience and ingenuity. The diligence from the volunteers at this point of Distribution overshadows by far any misunderstandings or negative experiences easy to acquire when working in such a stressful environment. The entire volunteer base at the Magnolia Market is completely comprised of retired American. This interesting fact I have shared with others during the Humanitarian day training because it’s the logical free/low-income workforce for humanitarian labor. This segment of society often owns other means of income and possesses free time. Another important element possessed from this segment of society is that they are often resourceful and connected to the community, two key elements necessary for a successful in-kind distribution operation. I would bankroll this operation till everyone there died


Greenwell Springs FEMA Trailer Adoption Project
• I have been driving past this trailer site for the last two years in Baton Rouge and had no idea that it was even there. Located down the street from the Earl K. Long Medical Center where the student doctors of Louisiana State University practice on the poor and prison inmates of this community. On my first assessment trip I was given a tour by the FEMA Voluntary Agency Liaison through the littered cul-de-sacs of the site. The lady in charge of case management for Catholic Charities accompanied this trip. She was very informative, able to give a general situation report from her past experiences at this particular trailer site and the experience of her case managers. The obvious conclusion from her articulation of this trailer site was that it would be an uphill battle do to specific reasons most of the residents remain. It was stated by the catholic charities lady a lot of hand holding is required and that they have to many people requesting help leaving no time to help those that have shown no initiative to help themselves. Many of the residents have never had better living conditions then a free trailer with free water, gas and electricity. Many of the young men have had poor opportunities leading to the lack of ambition to receive an education or learning a trade. A notable number of residents are single mothers addicted to crack cocaine and other drugs. Security there is an issue with as well. If we are to be successful in implementing any projects at this site we have to have a consistent physical presence in the site to build trust and identify and reach out to those who really want our help and not just free cable tv.



Sisters Helping Sisters Homeless Shelter Project
• This is a newly forming organization led by a phenomenal woman who goes above and beyond the call of duty of helping those in need. Miss Veda Washington houses homeless women and invests her personal time and money to change their lives for the better. My wife and me are currently mentoring this Lady and giving her any resources we can to establish her non-profit organization and assisting in the continued housing of the homeless women of Louisiana. Last week she had six women living in her house and now she has 11. She pays for their medical testing and general physicals to properly deal with the women she brings home from the streets. She has taught me that you can truly do anything noble with little or no money at all. The Sustainer of all the Worlds always provides her with what she needs at the right time to help her mission continue. I would give this women anything she needed to help her continue the awesomely beautiful work she is doing


Urban Sports Project
• This is a joint effort with the ‘Baker Parent and Patrol Watch with Children’ community organization to give the youth of the Renaissances FEMA trailer site athletic and academic programs. I met with the director of operation Nikita Wilson, a collegiate Basket Ball player and Teacher last week. We had a very insightful and inspiring meeting. I plan on using Islamic Relief funds to help with their youth athletic programs this summer and to implement academics programs in the Fall with the youth that we build relationships with this summer.