RALLY first began assembling its members in Baton Rouge immediately following Hurricane Katrina. Initial research activities included monitoring the Louisiana State Emergency Operations Center and the Federal Joint Field Office. In conjunction with Louisiana State University, RALLY also began research on lessons learned from previous catastrophes. As soon as New Orleans opened for the return of residents, RALLY began assembling around the city. In early October, 2005, RALLY began its neighborhood assessment in the neighborhood of Black Pearl. The rapid visual assessment of each house and business in the neighborhood included documenting visual information on the apparent inhabitability/usability of the structure (i.e. evidence of damage from flood, wind, fire, etc.), evidence of return, and evidence of residents/owners inhabiting the house or operating businesses. With increasing student support and availability, RALLY expanded the rapid household assessments to the Treme and Irish Channel neighborhoods. Assessment of the Treme neighborhood revealed the lack of open businesses and need for basic necessities such as food. This led to the collaboration with St. Augustine Church (one of the few operating organizations in the neighborhood) and Second Harvest Food Bank. This partnership opened the Makin’ Groceries in Treme Food Pantry on November 15, 2005. To date, not only have food services been provided, but a sense of community and the building of relationships have also been established through this monitored process.
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Submitted by admin on Fri, 2006-07-14 16:29.