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Disaster Description
New Orleans was damaged not so much by the wind and rain of Hurricane Katrina, but by the failure of the levees surrounding the city to keep out the waters of adjacent Lake Pontchartrain. Much of the city was flooded and many homes still stand empty more than four years later.

MDS Response
MDS is repairing and rebuilding homes in various areas of New Orleans, including Gentilly, Lower 9th Ward and Upper 9th Ward. MDS partners with organizations such as Catholic Charities, Crescent Alliance Recovery Effort (CARE) and Greater New Orleans Disaster Recovery Partnership (GNODRP).

MDS completed renovations on the Hayne Blvd. building in early 2008 and all volunteers are housed there, in the northeast part of the city next to Lake Ponchartrain. Over 100 clean up and repair jobs have been completed as well as several new homes. Small groups continue the work over the summer and the project will open to larger groups in the fall and winter.

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MDS building in New Orleans.

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Tearing down the old drywall.

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Sheeting the roof at a new home in New Orleans.

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Working on the floor.

The R family presented with a quilt

The R family was presented with a quilt at their house dedication in New Orleans.

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Working on the new build.

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Working on the roof in New Orleans.

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Framing at the project in New Orleans.

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Framing in New Orleans.

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Checking on the framing in New Orleans.

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Removing damaged drywall.

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Fixing damaged drywall.

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Double checking the measurements.

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Cutting boards for the railing.

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Framing is almost complete.

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Homeowner's well-worn Bible next to the new Bible given to him by MDS at his home dedication.

Nick Milton

MDS Volunteers with Milton at his home dedication in New Orleans.

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Finishing the outside.

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MDS Volunteer works on a home in New Orleans.

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Volunteers in front of the house they are repairing.

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Measuring the trim.

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Ready to install Hardi-board.

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Volunteers work on the exterior of a home in New Orleans.

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Ms. Marie with case worker Ellenor, Project Directors Peter and Gerald.

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Loading the truck for the day's work.

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Presenting a Bible to the new homeowner at the house dedication.

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Friday morning house cleaning at the project.

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Home dedication service for Ms. Marie.

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New Orleans
MDS
7520 Hayne Blvd.
New Orleans, LA 70126

Project Directors: Peter and Dorothy Regehr and Gerald and Grace Loeppky

Phone:  (504) 309-9406
Fax:      (504) 309-9423
neworleans(at)mds.mennonite.net

Project Start Date: November 2006 (Continuation of the Metarie Project)

Volunteer Status:  Project is full through January

Volunteers to Date: 2042
Jobs Started: 162
Jobs Completed: 155

Project End Date: TBA

Project schedule

October - Project will re-open

Volunteer Information:
Please download and read the files listed below if you are planning and preparing for travel to work in New Orleans.

New Orleans Volunteer Information

Volunteer Information