Dear Volunteers,
We here at Hope Community Development Agency have exciting news. We have been joined in prayer with thousands of Hurricane Katrina victims and Katrina volunteers across the country in anticipation of the much needed funding that will assist us in our mission of continuing to rebuild our communities. After six arduous years of advocating for our clients, Hope CDA and our partnering Housing Resource Centers have finally succeeded in partnering with the state and federal government in obtaining funds to assist those Hurricane Katrina victims who have fallen through the cracks. It is without a doubt an incredible feat accomplished by continuous prayer and support from around the nation that we have made it to this point. It is with the same heart that we pray for your return to the Mississippi Gulf Coast yet again to assist us in getting our residents back in their homes.
As many of you have expressed to our staff here at Hope CDA, it is unimaginable that in our country it would take more than two to six or more years to get help for all of those families that suffered from the impact of Hurricane Katrina. Nevertheless, here we stand with the task of repairing and rebuilding hundreds of more homes for these families. Hope CDA considers it a privilege and with great pleasure accepts this mission and will steadfastly continue to fight and advocate for victim assistance. Whether the damage to each home was directly from Hurricane Katrina or the fraudulent contractors who took advantage of a desperate community during their weakest moment, Hope CDA is resolute in ensuring that everyone who has an equitable stake in the recovery process is given the opportunity to return to their pre-Katrina way of life.
Thus far in this year, Hope CDA has had the honor and pleasure of working with more than 1100 volunteers in the first 3 months. We are striving to work with another self-sacrificing, spirited 2000 volunteers for the remainder of the year. More than 35 homes have been repaired by these volunteers and there are 48 more which are still in process of rehabilitation or a complete rebuilding. We are currently looking for volunteers to fill the remaining weeks of 2011. Hope CDA, having accepted federal and state funding to assist the victims, is required to finish the approved clients’ homes by the end of the calendar year. Hope CDA is in dire need of volunteers! In order to turn this funding into a family’s home, we need kindhearted souls willing to pick up a paint brush or hammer a nail, to do whatever it takes to get the job done. Our goal is to complete these homes so fast that the governmental agencies have no choice but to make additional funds available to ensure that our work continues. Countless families are facing deadlines to have their homes rebuilt or rehabilitated or risk losing them entirely and we are looking to you to assist in meeting those deadlines.
For those who of you who cannot make the trip down to Biloxi, MS, but still wish to provide your support, Hope CDA is still in need of funding to assist those who are not in receipt of the current funding programs. Donations can be sent to Hope CDA at 425 Division St. Biloxi, MS 39530 or by calling (228) 435 – 7180. Hope CDA has also started the HOPE Angel’s program where generous individuals can sign up and make regular donations automatically from their checking account or with a credit card.
Hope CDA so graciously thanks you for all you have done for the Mississippi Gulf Coast. We want you to know that each of you hold a special place in so many of our community members’ hearts. It is only through your selfless acts of love, empathy and compassion that Hope CDA is afforded the honor and privilege of helping those in need.
If you are interested in volunteering with Hope CDA please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Andrea Robertson at (228) 861-1948 or via email at arobertson@hopecda.org.
