Two thirds of the group started our day with a side trip to Shell Beach, east and a little north of where most of our house worksites are. All of our groups that have traveled to NOLA have made a stop here, which is home to a large memorial cross and monument to those in the parish who died in Katrina. A few of the last names of those lost in the story were the same as the names of the homeowners we're working with, so that gave some of our group another opportunity to feel the deeply personal connection so many here still have to that storm.
A couple of our groups went and visited one of the houses our groups worked on in the spring, and were pleased to find the homeowners waiting for only their final electrical hook-up so that they could move home. Our crews got to see again first hand how their work will eventually impact another family.
Tonight we spent some time with Colleen Morgan, the young woman who is living out her vision with Bayou Rebirth. She spoke with us for nearly an hour, sharing with us not only some of the behind the scenes details of the work we're doing with her, but also some of the complexity of the issues and problems that go along with bayou reclamation. The kids were attentive, asked great questions, and, I think, learned a lot.
Before we called it a night, we split up into our workgroups and reviewed important things we have learned. Ask them when the get home what they talked about... they are far more articulate than some of us give them any credit for.
Tomorrow, our last full work day, a meeting with the president of the St. Bernard Parish, and an opportunity to thank the seniors for their excellent leadership with the Youth Community,
No comments:
Post a Comment