On February 20, 2007, the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) advisory committee approved a $1.7 million dollar proposal from the Presbytery of South Louisiana for the recovery work from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The plan encompasses New Orleans, the North Shore and the Lake Charles area. Alan Cutter, Presbytery Executive of South Louisiana Presbytery, says “In order for a Presbyterian presence to be felt, we need a structure. This plan will provide both the structure and staffing to support a major rebuilding initiative in the New Orleans area. The goal is to rebuild 350 homes each year.” Funds from PDA will be provided to the presbytery each quarter on receipt of financial and narrative reports.

Lakeview Presbyterian church was flooded and is in the process of rebuilding. Read the story, After the deluge — New Orleans church fights overwhelming odds to rebuild, by Jerry Van Marter, Presbyterian News Service

The Presbytery of South Louisiana plan provides full coordination between the two Presbyterian Volunteer Villages and the eight churches that are hosting volunteer work teams in the greater New Orleans area. PDA and the presbytery are working to open an additional Presbyterian Volunteer Village in Orleans Parish using the facilities of a church that has been closed.

Highlights of the plan include:

• Using advocates to support families who are working through the case management process,
• A shared database on active cases so that the skills of volunteers can be matched to the work requirements,
• The hiring of construction managers to provide needed expertise and oversight to the volunteer teams,
• Greater coordination of the scheduling of housing and work assignments of volunteers, and
• A specific push on communications with a focus on recruiting additional volunteers and support.

A key piece of the plan is the opening of a Disaster Recovery Center in the education building of the Gentilly Presbyterian Church. The church’s location is in the midst of flood-damaged neighbors and is centrally located to the areas most impacted by Hurricane Katrina, including the areas of Lakeview, East New Orleans and the ninth ward. The church can be reached by public transportation on a city bus line. The center will help give greater visibility to the Presbyterian response.

The PDA advisory committee is waiting for completed financial reports and a 2007 proposal and budget from Mississippi Presbytery.

The Rev. Neale Miller has been the pastor at Lakeview Presbyterian Church for 10 years. Photos: Presbyterian News Service

Approximately $23 million was raised to for the Hurricanes Katrina/Rita/Wilma response. $4.5 million of that total was designated specifically to support pastors and church rebuilding. PDA has expended more than $7 million for relief and recovery work throughout the affected areas. Original plans approved by the General Assembly Mission Council supported a 7 year planned response. Given the complications and cost of this recovery response, this timeline may need to be revisited.

More than 18,000 volunteers have supported the Presbyterian recovery efforts in the gulf through work teams. The need continues and will be greater as home construction begins in earnest. Volunteers can schedule through the National Call Center — (866) 732-6121.