ECS of LA Update and Bishop Jenkins Now on FaceBook

Episcopal Community Services of the Diocese of Louisiana had it's first meeting...

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Charles Jenkins : The ECS of the Diocese of Louisiana had it's first meeting Wednesday. Photos included are those of the New Orleans folk involved. We met by video conference.

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The Blanchards from Gentilly, New Orleans

By Ms. Carrie Crockett,

I wanted to talk about a couple whose home we’re rebuilding and whose lives we’re trying to help put back together. They are the Blanchards from the Gentilly area of New Orleans. Their pretty, pale peach home suffered major damage from Katrina’s flood waters, with 6 feet of water throughout.

Mrs. Blanchard cares for her husband 24 hours a day in a FEMA trailer. Her husband, a disabled veteran, suffered a stroke after the stress of Katrina and evacuation and is now entirely bedridden. He cannot speak at all, but communicates with his wife of nearly 30 years by squeezing her hand and moving his eyes. His diabetes, complicated by his invalid state, has necessitated the amputation of one of his legs. Today he is scheduled to have the other foot amputated as well.

Before the storm, Mrs. Blanchard worked and maintained a stable income as a data entry clerk, while Mr. Blanchard enjoyed life as a retired vet. Now Mrs. Blanchard has lost her income since she must care for her husband 24 hours a day. She recently told us that she gets only 2 hours of sleep a day, from 8 am to 10 am, since her husband requires round-the-clock care and nights are the worst.

Mrs. Blanchard’s life has begun to slowly change since July 2008, when she met Connie Uddo, Director of St. Paul’s Homecoming Center in Gentilly. Connie was so moved by Mrs. Blanchard’s situation that she purchased a lawn mower the following day so that her grass could be cut. She also connected Mrs. Blanchard to ECS Case Manager Cathey Randolph, who conducted home visits and provided support and advocacy work for the couple.

Then, EDOLA Rebuild Program Coordinator Amanda Davis, along with a cadre of volunteers from all over the world, began to rebuild the Blanchard’s damaged home, complete with a handicap bathroom and ramp so that Mr. Blanchard can be taken to and from the doctor via ambulance, which is the only way he can be moved now. Working hand in hand through Episcopal Community Services, the Rebuild and Case Management programs have truly been a beacon of hope in helping to rebuild this couple’s life. I want to thank everyone who has helped this couple by giving of their time, sweat, or financial support.

A Word from the Province IV Synod

Canon Mark Stevenson and Mr. Ed Starns joined me for the Province IV Synod at Kanuga. We have just completed the Synod Session Agenda for the Episcopal Public Narrative Project. It was great! The idea that when we focus on issues we find what divides and when we focus on stories we find our common values is compelling.

There seems to be even more anxiety than usual about the coming General Convention. I have not bought into that anxiety and actually after completing this Synod session I feel positive about General Convention.

I wish all in the Diocese could have been here to have a positive experience of the Church at work! Our province will and our diocese will be well represented at General Convention.

Bishop Jenkins

The Rt. Rev. Charles E. Jenkins reflection on his experience testifying on Capitol Hill on May 22, 2009

Looking at three of the four witnesses - David Garratt, FEMA’s acting deputy administrator; Fred Tombar, HUD’s advisor for disaster and recovery program; and Paul Rainwater, director of the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) – Chairwoman Eleanor Holmes Norton declared, “Gentlemen, you all have failed. The only man in this room who has succeeded is Rev. Jenkins.”

This is a paraphrase of a stunning statement by Chairwoman Norton. It was an affirmation of the past years of sacrificial work of our staff, the volunteers from around the country, the support from Episcopal Relief & Development and individuals, and all those who have held us up in prayer.

The invitation to appear before the House of Representatives Committee which has oversight of FEMA, HUD, and in some sense I do not yet understand, the LRA (Louisiana Recovery Authority) was not one that I could pass up. Since the House had unexpectedly adjourned the night before, there were but two members present. There needed to be only one, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton. I must admit to some disappointment that my own congressman, “Joseph” Cao of the Second District of Louisiana was not present since he is a member of this committee and since this hearing had much to do with the actions of FEMA, HUD, and the LRA in the recovery in our state. I need to ask him why he was not there to stand up for the people of his district.

Chairwoman Norton grilled the agency representatives (including Paul Rainwater) insisting upon a solution to the problems along the Gulf Coast. Her staff had carefully digested the written testimony I offered and she seemed prepared to look beyond the volumes of figures and data offered to get to the real problem, how do we help people!

Several things must happen quickly or there will be hell to pay. First, HUD must list the ‘thousands’ of affordable housing units that are empty in Orleans parish. The addresses must be supplied. We are going to check these out because when I stood against the destruction of the Federal Housing in New Orleans, HANO said they had other houses. Some checking was done and in some cases the addresses did not exist. I do not think there is an abundance of affordable housing in New Orleans. I do not think folks living in trailers have been given three affordable housing options and refused them all.

Second, FEMA told the Congresswoman there would be no evictions anytime soon. In particular, she pressed and pressed hard on why we would evict people from worthless trailers sitting on their own property whilst they were repairing their houses! FEMA reckons there are 1894 such people in Louisiana alone! This is a boost to the American economy, cried the Chairwoman. They promised that even after the looming deadline, it would be months before they evicted anyone. If you know of anyone evicted please get information (and photos if you can) to Shakoor Aljuwani.

Third, I think we are going to see some Katrina Cottages built right soon. She could not believe that we have only one Katrina Cottage in the state of Louisiana. Look for action here.

Fourth, Case Management using the current model sparingly and unevenly deployed by the state and the feds is unacceptable. I must tell you, from my experience on the street, there is no case management happening at all for Katrina and Rita folks in Louisiana. If there is something going on, please help me find it. The Chairwoman asked me what Case Management was needed to help people stand on their own and told them what the Diocese does (with the generous help of ERD). She said that was the smartest thing she heard all day!

Our model is the Anthony Johnson model (named for our own head of case management) which does not put a time limit on help nor does it limit the number of visits. Whereas the other models limit contact Anthony’s does not. We do not simply pass out a bunch of phone numbers, that does not work. Our Case Managers walk with folks, drive them when necessary, and know them by name. I asked that the Catch 22 model that always catches the poorest and neediest be abandoned.

Certainly the Stafford Act cannot not be used to solve the social ills in south Louisiana. Our folks need to understand that if you are offered three houses and refuse, you are own your own.

Finally, Chairwoman Norton established a special panel of representatives from FEMA, HUD, and the LRA to come up with a quick plan to end the emergency measures in Louisiana. It is a noble goal. I was not invited to be part of that planning but I think Paul Rainwater is going to try to get us in. Perhaps our participation will be limited but someone needs to be there to stand for the people. I think the faith-based folks and not for profits have earned a seat at the table.
I think I was heard when I suggested that the government can set eviction dates and end of program dates until the end of time. These do not motivate those who cannot move. Congresswoman Norton asked if we refused to move. I assured her our steadfastness was not a refusal but was based on inability. She got the message.

I am grateful indeed to Nell Bolton, Dr. Courtney Cowart and Shakoor B. (that is, Barnabas) Aljuwani for their hard work, encouragement, and assistance. I think they will write reflections as well. Finally, I am grateful to the benefactor who made possible our travel to Washington.