December 15, 2007
United Peace Relief's second reconstruction project this fall. Thank you to all the volunteers and especially to Frank for the story and pictures.
It was a difficult trip. I have been trying to come to grips with the emotions since I returned. Some of the issues were the constant search for the needed material, working on old and funky housing. The added fact that they had been sitting under water didn’t help. It was my second trip to the Crescent City. In April of 2007, I took 17 Mendocino High School students to St. Bernard’s Parish, to help on the Katrina rebuilding. This trip was to work with a smaller grass roots organization called Plenty, with a group of construction skilled people.
There is a spirit there that makes New Orleans what it is. It’s a tough place to live. Requires that you keep you eyes open and your doors locked. We worked long days. The living conditions were rough, but we usually tried to find an interesting place for dinner and then some music most nights. Music is everywhere. N’Awlins must have the highest percentage of musicians of any place I’ve ever been. Funk, jazz, blues, rock and roll, soul, all abound and can be found just about any night. Brad Pitt had Jerry Lee Lewis and the Neville Brothers playing at his “Make It Right” grand unveiling. I was lucky enough to catch a show with Ellis Marsalis one evening. The food is enough to help fill anyone’s waist line. Jambalaya, gumbo, crawfish etouffee, shrimp boils, fried chicken, Creole, grits, po boys, beignets. A wonderful mix of flavors brought about by the wonderful mix of cultures.
But, what affected us most were the connections with the people we worked with. Ms, Emma, an 87 yr old Honduran woman. She gutted her own house, at least as far as she could reach, all 4 ft, 3 in. of her. We put the finishing touches on her home. She can now move in and have her FEMA trailer removed from along the side of her house. We threw her a surprise birthday party on completion day, her first birthday party ever.
Linda, a young grandmother, trying to raise 3 young grandchildren in a house with no interior finish, electricity or heat. Her “Road Home” money has not come thru yet, so there was no money for materials.
Then there was Mr. Washington, an 85 yr old black man. Born and raised in the 9th ward. A tough and determined man, but he finally met his match. Mr. Washington’s project is where we spent most of our time, as he was being evicted out if his FEMA trailer. The trailer was in a park that was on private property, and the owner wanted the property back.
We needed to get his bath and kitchen done, gas lines run and connected, water heater hooked and vented and the electrical completed, in order to pass the inspections necessary for Mr. Washington to move in. It was a push. Required the installation of all the fixtures, sheetrock, trim and paint, but before we could complete everything, FEMA collected all his belongings from the trailer and brought them to the house, a few days before our anticipated completion. FEMA paid for one night in a motel for Mr. Washington, but he preferred to be in his house, even if it meant sleeping on the floor and running a generator for power.
His was the only house on the block that had been rebuilt so far. At night he locked the metal security gates at the doors and windows. Just a couple of weeks ago, the police towed away five stolen vehicles that somehow had been deposited in the back yard of the house next door. Well… by Thursday night, the house just needed its inspections, and we would have a functional house, but it was just a day too late. Upon arriving on Friday morning we found Mr. Washington on a mattress in the kitchen. He had passed away in his sleep.
The four of us, who had worked so hard to get things done for him, were crushed. Could it have been the stress of getting the house done before he had to leave the trailer? Could it have been not having any heat? Might it have been the carbon monoxide from the generator? Could we have worked faster? We will never know. No 85 yr old person should have to deal with such stress. As I drove back the French Quarter, I passed the trailer he had been living in. It was still there. Maybe if some faceless bureaucrat had put off the evection long enough to get things 100% complete, Mr. Washington might have had some time to relax and feel secure in his own home before moving on.
So we face up to the fact, that there are others in as desperate need as Mr. Washington was, and it makes us more determined to keep things going. We’re going back. Join us, help us. There will be a second trip this coming April with Mendocino High School students. We need funding to make the April 08 trip work. Help make this a Community supported event. Donations can be sent to the following address:
MUSD
Box 226
Mendocino, CA 95460
Atten: Loretta McCord
Memo: A/E week NOLA Trip
As they say in the Big Easy, ….”Laissaz le bon temps rouler.”
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December 8, 2007
Two of the recent United Peace Relief reconstruction crews worked with Plenty on Mr. Washington's house which was apparently finished except for inspection and utility turn on by the City of New Orleans. We unfortunately received this message from Plenty.
“Tony and Kenny went to Mr. Washington's house this morning and found him on a mattress on the floor. He had passed away during the night. He apparently didn't want to go to the hotel room that FEMA had arranged after evicting him from his trailer. He had a weak heart but the way he was treated by FEMA was heartless. Our crew had just finished his house but the water and electric had not been turned on. They were hoping to have that done today. He was a sweet man. 87 years old, a lifetime builder and resident of the Lower 9th Ward. Vernon Washington. May he rest in peace.”
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November 15, 2007
On Monday, we packed up the stuff in the house in the 8th Ward to move it so the electrical around the baseboards could be repaired. I had met a man named Bruce in the elevator at our hotel earlier (he had struck up a conversation over my "Arrest Bush" t-shirt) and he and his friend said they'd like to help, so I brought them along. On their way back to the hotel after working, they asked if I could take them to the Lower 9th. As we crossed over the canal, we looked down to our left, and saw a big, virtually empty, field with poles sticking up everywhere. It was the neighborhood situated right behind the levees that broke. Most of the houses had just been, literally, washed away, or had been bulldozed afterwards. Only a handful of houses were left, all devastated, but the telephone poles were still there...as were the driveways, house pads, and cement stairs leading up to...thin air. We drove up & down a few streets, feeling as if we were in the "Twilight Zone," and incredulous that it looked not much different from how it must have looked shortly after Katrina...except that there were weeds everywhere, and a couple of white trailers. In front of one was an upturned table, where a survivor named Robert Green had written the names of loved ones he'd lost and some heartfelt suggestions. His wife and granddaughter had died on the same day, August 29th, '05, and he had a headstone for them right there, in front of his trailer...a pole coming up out of the middle of it with, ironically and heartbreakingly, an American flag. The flag, and his message, brought us to tears.
What a sobering time! But how inspirational to see survivors so determined to see it through, and to see people who traveled there from near and far to help. We were only able to stay for a few days, but so many of you devote so much time and energy to helping the people of New Orleans rebuild their homes and their lives ~ it's amazing. I'm sure I speak for all my Dallas/Ft. Worth travel-buddies when I send you our utmost admiration and applause! We're honored to have been included in a small part of what you do!
Peace and love ~
Leslie
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November 5, 2007
United Peace Relief had a booth at the Voodoo Festival in New Orleans. We had great success in reaching many people. So many were interested in what we are doing and plan to do. We even sold a few raffle tickets. Thanks to Plenty International and New Orleans Voices For Peace were were able to show video of our work in the past right at the booth. We are took a short break from the Voodoo Festival to attend United For Peace and Justice's "End The War Now" march. We met a great and very motivated group from Texas at the march that stayed with us throughout most of the week to help with reconstruction in New Orleans.
United Peace Relief, peace activist group from Texas and Plenty International were able to accomplish much at several houses in the 8th Ward and Arabi. We painted, hung sheetrock, wired, plumbed, replaced screens, packed and moved. Hard work but the friendships we gained were worth it all. Video slide show available at the VIDEO page.
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October 20, 2007
United Peace Relief has some exciting plans for the next couple of weeks. Wendy will be working in Pass Christian with Restoration Point beginning Monday, October 22nd. She will have a United Peace Relief crew with her to help with reconstruction in the Pass Christian, Mississippi area. They will continue their work there until Sunday, October 28th. We are looking for volunteers to help. If you cannot come to the area, United Peace Relief can use donations for materials. You can donate to this great project on our Donate page using Paypal or Just Give. Donations will be used for materials which will be purchased in the area in order to boost the local economy. Home Depot and Lowes cards are also a great way to contribute.
On Monday, October 29th, Wendy will move a crew to New Orleans to work with various groups and Plenty International. We have skilled and non-skilled jobs for everyone. We will be working on reconstruction and community projects. United Peace Relief will also have a booth in the non-profit section of the Voodoo Music Festival October 26-28. Our friends from the Bayou, Gordon and Kevin, will be taking a break from Bio Liberty and mowing in the 9th Ward to help with our booth and the march. We will be displaying and selling raffle tickets for our quilt and doing outreach with the people of New Orleans and other non-profits working in the area. If you are coming for Voodoo Fest or the United For Peace and Justice march in New Orleans on the 27th, plan to stay for a while for reconstruction. New Orleans for Halloween!! We can use your help with this project as well. Can you help? Our needs include volunteers and donations for building materials. Go to our Donate page to see how you can help.
November a better month for you? United Peace Relief will have another reconstruction crew coming to New Orleans November 28 through December 3. We will again be working with Plenty International. Come join us! Send us an email for details or to find out how you can help. If you cannot make it to the area, you can help by going to the Donate page to help with purchasing building materials.
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October 19, 2007
Want to be a member of United Peace Relief? We are looking for people who would like to be a part of our growing organization. Becoming a member will allow us to continue to grow and provide disaster services. We are looking for individuals who would like to support United Peace Relief and/or have your name on our list of members for notification in case of deployment to a disaster area. This is our next step in growing and want you to be a part of this change. Go to the Become A Member page for more information and instructions. You can register on this site and pay with Paypal or check. We need you!
If you would like to be on the United Peace Relief Board, send us your qualifications, any nonprofit experience and what you could add to our organization. Let us know why you would like to be on the board.
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October 14, 2007
A Taste of Autumn in Ukiah, CA
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October 6, 2007
What United Peace Relief is doing in Detroit
The UPR board is proud to sponsor this important project. To form a local chapter in your area of the country or to join an exsisting chapter please visit our Membership page or email us. We'll guide you along the way.
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September 22, 2007
Not working? Extra vacation? Just Want to Help? Electricians, Plumbers & Carpenters Needed
United Peace Relief is looking for volunteer skilled labor to help in rebuilding the Gulf Coast. We have several places in the area working reconstruction and could use your help. We currently have three projects scheduled. We can use your help on all projects. You choose the week(s) or day(s) and the location. Limited housing and meals are available and most hotels are open. We are lining up work schedules now
United Peace Relief will be working in Pass Christian, MS for the week of October 22 thru October 27, 2007. We will be working with Restoration Point. Limited housing and meals are available at $20 per day and provided by Restoration Point. To join our group or get answers to questions email volunteer@unitedpeacerelief.org.
United Peace Relief will be working in the 7th Ward of New Orleans the week of October 28 thru Nov. 2, 2007. We will be working with communities and are looking forward to being a part of this community action. Limited housing is available and most hotels are open for business. Voodoo Fest starts Saturday so come early! We will also be having a TBA community cookout while there.
United Peace Relief will be working in New Orleans the week of November 29 thru December 4. We will be working with Plenty International. Plenty has been working in the gulf coast and New Orleans area since immediately after Katrina hit. Housing and meals are being set up now and options will be available soon
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September 22, 2007
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United Peace Relief Raffle
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September
5, 2007
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August 19, 2007
United Peace Relief at Ukiah’s Free Concerts in the Park
During a total of six free concerts in Ukiah’s Todd Grove park this summer, United Peace Relief sponsored a food booth to sell Louisiana gumbo, vegetarian Thai green curry, brown and white rice, and salad. We added and subtracted some other items as the summer wore on, chief among them were the peach and blackberry or pure blackberry cobbler. We could have had a stand selling cobbler alone and made money.
It was hard work, with great music to cook by and great friends to work with being the only saving graces. Ukiah’s own Laura Fogg, the maker of the museum quality quilt “Seven Sisters”, was present at our booth at every concert. We displayed her quilt prominently and she sold raffle tickets by the dozens. Laura has generously donated her quilt to UPR for a fundraising raffle. You can find out more about the raffle and buy tickets here on our website.
Thank you Polly for the gumbo recipe. The Ukiah people loved your gumbo! Thanks to all the hard working United Peace Relief folks, and the many other volunteers whom we asked to help us – Louisa, Annie, Debbie, Sandy (both of you), Marilynn, Jody, and many more. A special thanks to Polly, Diana, Lynn, and Bob for getting the whole system going. Having the Dolphina RV close at hand gave us a place to stow our cooking and serving gear and gave us an extra two burners when we needed them to cook more rice.
The proceeds from the food sales will come just in time to help with efforts to return to the gulf with two crews. We will be working in New Orleans and in Pass Christian, Miss.
Peace and love from Wendy
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June 4, 2007
Watch for the United Peace Relief booth at all the Sundays In The Park free concerts in Ukiah. We will be selling our raffle tickets and the quilt will be on display. The theme of the first concert on June 10th is Zydeco and in keeping with the theme we will be selling gumbo. Don't miss these concerts -- they are great fun, great music and a great way to support United Peace Relief. While there be sure to buy some gumbo and a raffle ticket!
The Sundays In The Park Free Concert Series is the largest and most recognized community event in Mendocino County. Since 1991, the series has thrilled the community with exceptional musical performances by artists from diverse genres including blues, classical, country, salsa, soul, rock, swing and more. Each summer, taking center stage in beautiful Todd Grove Park, six free concerts featuring world-renowned artists as well as local talent, entertain more than 20,000 music fans. In addition to great entertainment, the series is a source of great civic pride and is cherished by locals and visitors as a summer tradition. Sponsorships from local businesses are a vital component to the continued success of Sundays In The Park and without their support; the free concerts wouldn’t be possible. Pack a picnic or indulge in fabulous food prepared by vendors who are onsite with everything from barbequed tri-tip to sushi. Bring a blanket and gather with your family, friends and neighbors to enjoy top notch performers while being part of the greater Ukiah community. (Please, no pets and no smoking within the main event area, low-back chairs only, personal BBQ’s only allowed at the picnic table areas. Thank you.) Concerts begin at 6pm. For more information please call 707-463-6231. For more details go to the City of Ukiah homepage.
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June 10,
2007
United
Peace Relief Featured at RVguidebook.com
United Peace Relief uses
RVs to aid in disaster relief
United Peace Relief is building a network of RVs equipped
to aid in its mission of providing medical care and
humanitarian relief to the victims of disasters.
“I had this vision that we would have RVs in all corners
and the center of the United States set up and ready to
respond to disasters,” said Executive Director Lynn
Meadows.
That vision has moved closer to reality as three people
have donated the use of their RVs. United Peace Relief, a
501 (c) (3) non-profit, has them stationed in Louisiana,
Florida and California. They are set up to be soup
kitchens, first aid stations or to house volunteers doing
reconstruction.
In September 2006, they were able to use their California
RV to aid in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane John in
Mulegé, Baja California Sur, Mexico.
“It was incredible,” Meadows said. “United Peace Relief
operates on a shoe-string. We are all volunteers. When we
go out on a disaster money is not one of our selling
points.”
But just before they left the money started pouring in.
They were able to network with the Manhattan Beach Sister
City Committee, which had already raised $2,500 to help
their sister city, but did not have a group of people to go
down.
Soon more came in, as word got to the International
Community Foundation they decided to send $15,000, with
$10,000 being earmarked for the local hospital.
Meadows and her partner Deborah Mead loaded up their '86
Toyota RV and headed on down.
They parked the RV in front of the Mulegé hospital and used
it to provide a first aid station and as housing for
themselves. They were able to hook it up to the hospital’s
electricity, making it so they could use the air
conditioning, a big luxury in a disaster zone, Meadows
said.
The hospital had been flooded with three feet of water, so
they helped wash it with their power washer and cleaned out
all of the mud.
Meadows used her experience as a physician’s assistant to
go through with the director of the Mulegé hospital and
figure out what supplies were needed. She worked closely
helping the hospital doctors see patients as fast as they
could. Her local hospital in Ukiah, Calif., sent down
sterile supplies, which were in short supply.
“We were on a mission and we made a huge difference,”
Meadows said. “Just two women over 50 in an old RV. We had
an incredible road trip.”
Though they are within driving distance of many of the
areas where disasters typically hit you can never know for
sure where a disaster is going to happen, Meadows said.
That is why she would like to further expand their network
of RVs and people ready to respond.
People who have RVs can volunteer them for use with
disaster relief. United Peace Relief then tries to raise
the money for supplies and gas at the disaster site.
“Disaster volunteers are special people who are inspired to
help others, and do this kind of work,” Meadows said. “We
are definitely alternative. We believe in promoting peace,
so we tend to attract people that embrace our mission of
promoting peace.”
The promotion of peace goes straight to the organizations
roots as an offshoot of Veterans for Peace.
When Katrina hit the Gulf Coast Veterans for Peace made a
call for volunteers to aid in disaster relief.
“Their mission is to end war and they were overwhelmed with
disaster relief,” Meadows said. “So we decided to start
United Peace Relief as a disaster relief organization.”
Since Katrina, United Peace Relief has had a constant
presence in the Gulf and they are planning a big push for
more volunteers this summer.
“The devastation goes on for 200 miles,” Meadows said.
“They say it’s going to take years to pull out of this. Our
goal is to not forget them.”
In addition to people who are able to help with
reconstruction she said there is also a need for counselors
and entertainers to help raise people’s morale and hope.
The sites where they are working have places where people
can park their RVs. They aren’t official campsites, but
there are bathrooms and showers nearby.
As United Peace Relief expands they would like to create
chapters across the United States.
“We need people who can do all parts of this work,” Meadows
said. “People don’t necessarily need to be able to deploy
if there is a disaster.”
People interested in finding out more can visit their
website at UnitedPeaceRelief.org.
Authored By: Stephen Beard
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June 3,
2007
United Peace
Relief is busy making sure our vehicles are stocked and
ready to deploy. Hurricane season started June 1st. We are
ready with supplies for a mobile medical clinic and mobile
kitchen. We have vehicles in Florida, the Gulf Coast and
California. We are hoping the predictions are wrong but we
are prepared just in case. Are you? We will be recruiting
volunteers and contacting volunteers from Katrina should
the need arise. These vehicles are a significant expense
for United Peace Relief but crucial to accomplishing our
goals. Please help us keep these vehicles ready by
purchasing raffle tickets or visiting the
donate page.
Coasts brace for a busy
hurricane season
By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID, AP Science WriterTue May 22, 4:18 PM
ET
Hurricane forecasters expect more tropical storms than
normal this season, and "it just takes one to make it a bad
year," says Conrad Lautenbacher, head of the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
National Weather Service forecasters said Tuesday they
expect 13 to 17 tropical storms, with seven to 10 of them
becoming hurricanes and three to five of them in the strong
category. NOAA is the parent agency of the weather service.
David Paulison, director of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency, said what keeps him up at night is
concern about individual preparedness.
"If we are going to survive these storms it takes all of us
to be ready," Paulison said, urging that the millions of
residents in vulnerable areas prepare their homes for the
storms and keep at least three days food and supplies on
hand.
After the battering by storms Katrina and Rita in 2005
there were widespread fears last summer of another powerful
storm striking, but the unexpected development of the El
Nino climate phenomenon helped dampen conditions.
El Nino is a warming of the tropical Pacific Ocean that
occurs every few years. The warm water affects wind
patterns that guide weather movement and its effects can be
seen worldwide. In El Nino years, there tend to be fewer
summer hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean.
But El Nino is over and conditions could develop that might
even encourage more storms, said Bill Proenza, head of the
National Hurricane Center.
Earlier this month Philip Klotzbach, a research associate
at Colorado State University, and Joe Bastardi, the chief
hurricane forecaster for AccuWeather Inc., said they
anticipate a more active storm cycle this year.
And, almost as if to underscore their comments, a
subtropical storm formed off the southeast coast and became
Andrea, the first named storm of the year, well before the
June 1 official beginning of hurricane season.
Hurricane season ends Nov. 30, but the strange season of
2005 ran over into late December, as well as using up all
the planned alphabetical names, forcing storm watchers to
switch to the Greek alphabet to continue naming storms.
Last year, there were just 10 tropical storms in the
Atlantic and just two made landfall in the United States.
While last year proved quieter than expected and 2005's
parade of storms caused the weather service to raise its
prediction, the number of tropical storms predicted in May
was within the expected range in 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2004.
The forecast was low in 2001 and 2003.
More important to hurricane forecasters is their ability to
predict when and where a particular storm will go,
something that has improved steadily in recent years.
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April 3,
2007
Kate and Carol have returned from the Gulf Coast.
Veterans For Peace and IVAW
were hard at work in the
Lower Ninth Ward working with Common
Ground. They
got a lot of work done on the house of a resident. It
was great to see some of the VFP members who instilled
in many of the United Peace Relief board members the
passion for the work we have been doing since several
days after Katrina made landfall. Malik Rahim, founder
of Common Ground and New Orleans resident, gave us an
update on the Lower Ninth Ward progress. Residents are
starting to return to the area but the progress is slow.
They need volunteers to help with reconstruction. They
have also started up a free legal clinic to help
residents with the constant issues they face with
insurance, FEMA and city, parish and state roadblocks.
Shannon is cooking up a storm at Emergency
Communities in
the Lower Ninth. Gordon with Voices For Peace
continues to work hard at
keeping the world informed and video documenting the
work going on in the area. Button Jim with
Plenty
continues to supply area
daycare centers, schools and community centers with
children's books. Keep up the great work guys! The work
going on and the work that needs to be done is huge. The
organizations still working in the area need your help.
Volunteer!
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March 19,
2007
REMINDER! On
March 19, we will enter the
5th year of war in Iraq. Communities across the country
will be holding events to commemorate including candlelight
vigils for the soldiers we have lost and events to let our
Congress now how the public feels. Find an event near you
and give your support. Let's hope, pray and work for a
swift end to this war and it's resulting loss of life and
destruction. MAKE LEVEES NOT WAR!
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February 16 - February
25, 2007
Polly from Ukiah, CA, Kate from Detroit, MI and Carol from Tallahassee, FL returned to the Gulf Coast! They spent three days in Jackson Square selling raffle tickets for the Seven Sisters Quilt. The quilt was a big hit and sales were good but we still have tickets to sell so please go to the Raffle page and order yours. We are anxious to get this quilt to a nice home -- maybe yours! Below is a video of our time in the French Quarter during Mardi Gras. Thanks to Gordon of Voices For Peace for documenting this for us. Thanks also to Kevin Curley for our beautiful stay at Bayou Liberty and all his help in finding places to set up our sales table. Watch for the quilt to be on display at various concerts and festivals in the North California area this spring.
Polly, Kate and Carol also spent time visiting the organizations on our Volunteer list. The list has been updated at the Volunteer page so be sure to pass the word that volunteers are still needed in the area. We are sad to see that Second Helping and Grassroots Volunteer Network have closed. Both of these organizations did much wonderful work for Waveland and Biloxi. They will be sorely missed in Mississippi. Restoration Point is still going strong and looking forward to the next group of volunteers from United Peace Relief. We were able to visit Animal Rescue New Orleans. This group is doing such great work. There are so many abandoned animals. We did our best to pet as many as possible while we were there. They need volunteers to feed, clean cages, walk dogs and give these animals the attention they deserve. Emergency Communities has opened a community center in the Lower Ninth Ward called The Goin' Home Community Cafe. This is a family-friendly place for residents of the Lower 9th Ward to get together and relax. They are providing internet, library, laundry facilities, meals, house gutting, tool lending and community activities for the returning residents. It is located at 6030 St. Claude Avenue, New Orleans. They are housing volunteers; and once spring break is over, they will be needing volunteers to help with this project. We were able to visit and talk with volunteers and residents. Kate has been going there almost everyday to help out and give massages.
There are many neighborhoods in New Orleans who are working so hard to come back. United Peace Relief is looking into "adopting" such a neighborhood and concentrating efforts, volunteers and funds in one specific area. We will be working to set up such a project in the next couple of months. Stay tuned for details and donate or buy a raffle ticket to help get this project up and running.
Don't forget about New Orleans, South Louisiana and Mississippi. This will be a years-long endeavor and we will need your
Special thanks and a great big hug to Gordon and Voices For Peace for the Free Hugs campaign video here.
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February 3, 2007
United Peace Relief held a quarterly board meeting on February 3, 2007. Agenda items included our Seven Sisters Quilt, status of our three motorhomes and making sure they are ready for deployment, and plans for projects during the next quarter. We elected two new board members and we would like to extend a big welcome to Kate Devlin and Diana Van der Byl.
Kate has a history of working with United Peace Relief over the past 18 months. We first met Kate in Covington right after Katrina. She brings with her skills that will serve United Peace Relief well such as being a chef, masseuse and community organizer in Detroit. Kate will be a great asset and we look forward to working with her. Welcome Kate!
Diana also brings with her extensive business and non-profit experience. We will call on her knowledge often as United Peace Relief continues with planned projects and as we grow over the next year. Welcome Diana!
Deborah Mead has decided she needs to put significant energy into her other projects. She will leave the board of United Peace Relief but will still volunteer when needed. She can plan on us calling her often! Deb has played a significant role in helping establish UPR including nonprofit status, registering, and as past Treasurer. We are eternally grateful to her for all her assistance. United Peace Relief would not be as strong as it is today without her. Thank you Deb!
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January 20, 2007
New Project Planned by Veterans For Peace
In solidarity with the people of the Gulf Coast and understanding that every bomb dropped in Iraq explodes over the U.S. Gulf Coast, Veterans For Peace and partner organizations will return to the area devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, to aid in reconstruction efforts. The project will raise money and volunteers to aid in rebuilding homes for victims of the hurricanes. In addition, we will raise awareness of the continued plight of the gulf coast victims and the persistent commitment to an illegal, immoral war fought at staggering costs, both financially and in human casualties.
We will arrive in the gulf (probably in Biloxi , MS , or New Orleans , LA , depending upon logistics) around Saturday March 24th, and work through March 31st, 2007. We encourage you to seriously consider taking part in this historic endeavor and your part can assume a variety of roles.
For further details click here.
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January 19, 2007
Emergency Communities Open New Location
by Feliz Solomon
Emergency Communities opens its new facility on Sunday, January 21st in the lower ninth ward. The new location will provide several services including three meals a day, washers/ dryers, a tool library, a book library and a children’s center.
Emergency Communities is one of several NPO’s working creatively to bring back residents of areas devastated by Katrina. EC sprang up from a group of volunteers working at the New Waveland Café, which served meals from a bus in the parking lot of a department store in Waveland, Mississippi. The New Waveland Café closed on December 1st, 2005, and the group opened the Made With Love Café in Arabi, which is no longer in operation. EC currently operates three facilities; in Buras, Plaquemines, and now in the Lower Ninth Ward.
EC’s focus has previously been on providing meals, but the new facility offers many other services to ease the obstacles of rebuilding. While EC’s other facilities usually have an average of about 40-50 long-term volunteers, the new site currently has a group of about 11 who maintain the site, prepare meals, and provide basic rebuilding assistance such as sheet rocking and roofing. The tool library will offer a range of equipment that can be borrowed for a week at a time, and the Laundromat, kitchen, library and children’s center will be open to the public later this month.
EC provides food donated by Second Harvest and Organic Valley, as well as some purchased food with their support from the United Way. They have already served over 300.000 meals in four different areas and will begin serving here in the Ninth Ward on the 21st at their opening BBQ from 4-7 PM. Emergency Communities is located at 6030 St. Claude Ave at Gordon Street. Check out their website at Emergency Communities or call (917) 442-8900.
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January 13, 2007
There are ways everyone can assist the residents of the Gulf Coast -- even from your home town. United Peace Relief assisted Jeff and Beth to return to their home in Mississippi. They were relocated to Florida after Katrina. They were ready to return home but after FEMA rental assistance stopped, they did not have the finances to return. United Peace Relief was able to contribute gas money and the strong back of Mike to help these residents return home. Katrina evacuees are all over the country. If you are not able to come to the Gulf Coast for reconstruction, seek out Katrina evacuees in your home town. We can assure you they will appreciate the thought and might very well be able to use your assistance. United Peace Relief would like to thank Mike for help in the move and Steve Chandler for loan of the trailer.
P. O. Box 486
Ukiah, CA 95482
info@unitedpeacerelief.org