[Iowa-dx] Neighbors helping Neighbors, New Orleans/Iowa Alliance;Decisive Plan of Action
Soyawax@aol.com
Soyawax@aol.com
Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:44:58 EDT
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Neighbors helping Neighbors, New Orleans/Iowa Alliance; A Decisive Plan o=
f=20
Action
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When Katrina brought about the single largest disaster in the entire histor=
y=20
of our nation, there was no way for "experts" or conventional top down=20
leadership to respond effectively. There is no operations manual for an ev=
ent=20
that did not have precedent. Neighborhood citizen groups have filled that=20=
void=20
by joining together to communicate, organize and devise ways to build=20
communities back up from the grassroots level.
=20
When the Flood of 2008 resulted in the single largest disaster that has eve=
r=20
taken place in the history of the State of Iowa, again, there are no=20
experts, no clear precedents, no operations manual. Neighborhood citizen=20=
groups in=20
Iowa are stepping up to fill that void by joining together to communicate,=20=
=20
organize and devise ways to build communities back up from the grassroots =20
level.
=20
Citizen based teams in both locations now join as a strong working alliance=
=20
to meet our mutual needs.
=20
We see great value in a long term cultural and commercial interchange =20
between Louisiana and Iowa.
You are welcome to forward this e mail to every volunteer group, funding=20
source and media person that you know that would be interested in this citi=
zen =20
activated initiative. We need your help and love to rebuild Iowa after=20
the Flood of 2008. We will then in turn share the experience and capacity=20=
that=20
we derive from this recovery work with any location where a similar need=20
arises. We are all in this together.
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Organizational Announcement: REBUILD AND GROW=20
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an alliance with Beacon of Hope/New =20
Orleans
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Neighborhood Based, Citizen Directed Initiatives to Recover and Rebuild=20
after the '08 Flood =20
Objective; Learn best practice methods from other cities and then implement=
=20
for specific needs in Iowa.
=20
A full recovery takes place through citizen participation and total=20
transparency at all levels of governance.
=20
Many federal, state and local government entities and traditional social =20
service agencies are working with disaster recovery after the Flood of '08 i=
n =20
Iowa. REBUILD AND GROW has been established to fill a very crucial niche=20=
in=20
this comprehensive approach to disaster recovery; We organize the efforts =20=
of=20
neighbor helping neighbor at the grassroots level of community organization=
. =20
This is a self-help process.
=20
To aid this self help process a state of the art, open source web site has=20
been set up as an effective tool
of community directed, totally inclusive communication; =20
_www.rebuildandgrow.org_ (http://www.rebuildandgrow.org/)=20
=20
You are all the source of the knowledge base that we need to organize a ful=
l=20
recovery in Iowa. You can sign on to this website and start contributing=20
your knowledge, experience and vision as a shared resource.
=20
Every citizen in Iowa can contribute to building our community recovery=20
plan. We also welcome volunteers and other resource people from anywhere i=
n the=20
world to sign on and add content to this growing knowledge base. We are=20
sharing volunteer resources with Beacon of Hope in New Orleans.
=20
The fact is, volunteers have rebuilt New Orleans. Without this influx of=20
amazing human capital and energy, New Orleans would not be rising up out of=
=20
Katrina with the creativity, love and care that is evident today.
=20
We need you. If you are ready to share in this effort, please sign it=20
at; _www.rebuildandgrow.org_ (http://www.rebuildandgrow.org/)=20
=20
No one has more direct knowledge about their neighborhood and more =20
motivation to rebuild the neighborhood than the residents and businesses tha=
t built=20
the neighborhood from the ground up before the disaster. =20
=20
Communication is key to activate recovery after a major disaster. Most=20
families effected by the flood are not at their damaged home location. Our=
first=20
goal with rebuild and grow is to link up these families for mutual self hel=
p.=20
We'll communicate with e mail, phone trees, and door to door surveys to=20
locate people working on their homes. To locate the "diaspora" dispersed by=
the=20
June flood, we will activate other communications methods such as radio=20
announcements for REBUILD and GROW meetings and by sending out printed flye=
rs to=20
the address of all damaged properties, as most people are getting mail=20
through the address either through mail forwarding or mail pick up at the l=
ock box=20
system set up by the Post office. =20
=20
Again, linking in on the Rebuild and Grow interactive website is crucial. =20
Please let any family or business that was flooded know they can sign on th=
is=20
communication system at; _www.rebuildandgrow.org_=20
(http://www.rebuildandgrow.org/)=20
=20
Please forward this e mail on to any individuals or businesses effected by=20
the flood.
=20
Calling on direct citizen involvement and organizing neighborhood=20
initiatives has proven to be the very most effective way to rebuild a city=20=
after a=20
disaster. This fact has now been thoroughly proven in New Orleans after Ka=
trina.=20
In Florida after major hurricanes. In California in communities destroyed b=
y=20
wild fires.
REBUILD and GROW is now demonstrating this reality in Iowa.
=20
REBUILD AND GROW is learning from these past models of citizen based=20
disaster recovery to carry out a citizen based recovery and rebuilding proc=
ess that=20
is specific to the needs of Cedar Rapids and other communities hit by=20
disaster in Iowa.
=20
We have established a citizen based, self-help entity to carry out this wor=
k;
=20
REBUILD AND GROW; an Iowa affiliate of BEACON OF HOPE o=
f=20
New Orleans
=20
You can sign on to become a part our on-line, interactive community at;
=20
_www.rebuildandgrow.org_ (http://www.rebuildandgrow.org/)=20
=20
We welcome families and business owners that were impacted by this disaster=20=
=20
to sign on and become part of this growing on-line network/community. =20
Volunteers, as well as individual and charitable foundation donors can also=
sign on=20
to be part of the REBUILD and GROW on line, virtual community. We encourage=
=20
press and media professionals to sign on to keep up to date with this=20
long-term recovery work in progress. We also encourage traditional social=20=
service =20
agencies and local governments to link in with our growing model of innovati=
on=20
and community resilience. Together, we can get the job done.
=20
Here is what our Rebuild and Grow model will look like on the ground in=20
Cedar Rapids, Iowa;
=20
We are actively organizing a self-help disaster recovery and response team=
=20
in each of the neighborhoods in our city that were directly impacted by the=
=20
flood;
=20
1. Downtown disaster response team to work with local small business recove=
ry
2. Time Check-NW Neighbors disaster response team
3. Czech Village disaster response team
4. Taylor School Area disaster response team
5. Oakhill-Jackson/New Bohemia disaster response team
6. Cedar Valley-Rompot
=20
Since REBUILD and GROW is based in Cedar Rapids, that will be our initial=20
focus. We will invite other communities that were directly impacted with f=
lood=20
damage to form a self-help neighborhood recovery and response team at their=
=20
option. These could include Charles City, Waverly, Waterloo, Vinton, Palo,=
=20
Columbus Junction, Oakville and the Birdland Neighborhood of Des Moines. (o=
r=20
any community impacted by an emergency or disaster.) Each neighborhood wil=
l=20
organize autonomous action, but join in with a statewide coalition for=20
effective group advocacy.
=20
Each neighborhood recovery and rebuild team is comprised of homeowners and=20
business owners in each specific neighborhood that are directly effected by=
=20
the Flood of 2008. No one is more motivated than people who experienced th=
e=20
disaster directly. Unfortunately, the more that time passes after the fl=
ood,=20
the more that the rest of our city, state and nation will "get back to=20
normal". Those personally impacted by the flood will need to rely more on=20=
more on=20
the support, encouragement, and help that they provide to each other. Ou=
r=20
goal is to restore community bonds and build even stronger bonds after the=20
disaster.
=20
Our central coordinating Rebuild and Grow Team will meet once each week to=20
plan out and implement the priority order of our neighborhood recovery and=20
rebuild plan of action. These are totally open meetings that anyone with an=
=20
interest in our work can attend. This meeting will take place at 2 pm each=
=20
Sunday at the REBUILD AND GROW Headquarters at 1132 Ninth Street S.E. In Ce=
dar =20
Rapids. =20
=20
Since REBUILD and GROW demands an open, inclusive and transparent process =20
with official government entities, we model inclusion and transparency as a=
=20
neighborhood citizen's organization. Everyone is welcome to attend our=20
meetings. Call 319-213-2051 for further information.
=20
We will encourage each neighborhood based satellite rebuild and recovery=20
team to set up regular meetings that meet their specific local needs.
=20
During our beginning stage of recovery, we will convene a general citizen'=
s=20
council every two weeks to review progress, share crucial information and=20
provide mutual support and coordinate as a city wide effort.
All local neighborhood groups will be encouraged to link in with us and wil=
l=20
be always welcome to participate. These planning meetings are also open for=
=20
anyone that wants to keep informed or volunteer assistance.
=20
Lynette and Michael Richards of Cedar Rapids were identified by citizen=20
based disaster response organizations in New Orleans as the kind of on the=20
street, neighborhood-based organizers that have served as a community cata=
lyst for=20
disaster recovery in New Orleans after Katrina. The Richards family lost=20
two homes and a business building to the Flood of 2008. We know the pain,=20=
and=20
we also celebrate our hope and strength as we rebuild. Rebuild and Grow=20=
is=20
a self-help effort with fellow survivors.
=20
In early August, 2008 the Richards visited neighborhood based disaster=20
recovery initiatives in many neighborhoods in New Orleans that were devasta=
ted by=20
Katrina; Holycross, Broadmoor, Lakeview, St. Bernard Parish, Lakewood,=20
Lakeshore, Gentilly, Central City, Upper Ninth Ward and East New Orleans, W=
e also=20
visited the "Make it Right" in fill/rebuild construction sites in the Lower=
=20
Ninth Ward.
=20
The Richards arrived in New Orleans on Monday August 4 and returned to Iowa=
=20
launch REBUILD and GROW in Cedar Rapids on August 13, 2008, two months afte=
r=20
the flood crest. During their week in New Orleans, The Richards engaged=20=
in=20
training and consultation from about 8 in the morning to 8 in the evening=20
each day for an entire week. This was a very intensive training and learnin=
g=20
process. We appreciate our allies in New Orleans that made this work. Th=
is=20
New Orleans/Iowa alliance will continue to grow.
=20
Our intensive training included work and consultation with many disaster=20
recovery leaders in New Orleans. Below you will find the list of the except=
ional=20
organizations and leaders we met with from Aug.4 -11, 2008;
=20
1. La Toya Cantrell, President, Broadmoor Improvement Association
_www.broadmoorimprovement.com_ (http://www.broadmoorimprovement.com/)=20
=20
2. Denise Thornton, President/Founder, Lakewood Beacon of Hope/New Orleans
=20
Rita LeGrand, Louisiana State "Volunteer of the Year" for 2008
=20
_www.lakewoodbeacon.org_ (http://www.lakewoodbeacon.org/)=20
=20
3. Al Petrie, President, Lakeview Civic Association of New Orleans
_www.lakeviewcivic.org_ (http://www.lakeviewcivic.org/)=20
=20
4. Connie Uddo, Project Director, Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana Disaster=20
Recovery Team
Nell Bolton, Executive Director
_http://odr.edola.org/_ (http://odr.edola.org/)=20
=20
5. Liz McCartney and Zack Rosenburg, Founders/Co-Directors, St. Bernard=20
Project in New Orleans
_http://www.stbernardproject.org/_ (http://www.stbernardproject.org/)=20
=20
6. Glenn and Kathy Stoudt, Parent Volunteers Youth Rebuilding New =20
Orleans
_http://www.yrno.com/involvement.htm_ (http://www.yrno.com
/involvement.htm)=20
=20
7. Mark Schexnayder, Office of the Chancellor, Louisiana State University A=
g=20
Center and Ewell of the =20
Lousiana Seafood Board convened a conference table of Louisiana leaders=
=20
to meet the Richards.=20
Iowa-Louisiana Commercial Exchange, an initiative for mutual economic=20
recovery was proposed by=20
Michael Richards of Iowa that would engage trade in Louisiana Seafood=20
and products, Iowa beef, pork,=20
poultry and other ag goods. A closed loop product transport system=20
where products are delivered in both=20
directions. We need to REBUILD but also GROW both the Iowa and=20
Louisiana economies.
=20
8. Lisa Kaichen, _lisakaichen@aol.com_ (mailto:lisakaichen@aol.com) The=20
Unified Non-Profit Council of New Orleans organized post Katrina recovery a=
nd=20
rebuilding by bringing together the non-profit sector for collaborative act=
ion.=20
Michael Richards sits on the Linn County Long Term Recovery Council as we=
=20
all model this approach in Iowa as well.
=20
9. Mary Rowe, Vice President of Urban Programs, The Blue Moon Fund =20
_www.bluemoonfund.org_ (http://www.bluemoonfund.org/) =20
Blue Moon is a leading national funder of neighborhood based,=20
sustainable development projects
=20
10. Make It Right, in-fill home construction initiative in the Lower Ninth=20
Ward founded and funded by=20
actor Brad Pitt. _http://www.makeitrightnola.org/_=20
(http://www.makeitrightnola.org/) =20
=20
11. Founding Team; The New Orleans Institute for Resilience and Innovation=
.=20
Michael and Lynette Richards of Iowa attended the Institute's planning=20
sessions for a Symposium on the Third Anniversary of Katrina.
_www.theneworleansinstitute.org_=20
(http://www.theneworleansinstitute.org/)=20
=20
12. Dana Eness, The Urban Conservancy, dedicated to research, education,=20
and advocacy that promote the wise stewardship of the urban built environme=
nt=20
and local economies _http://urbanconservancy.org/_=20
(http://urbanconservancy.org/)=20
=20
13. New Orleans Neighborhood Network. This Richards met with this group at=
=20
the Neighborhood Night Out on the Campus of Dillard, University. Dillard U=20
was under 8 feet of water during the Katrina aftermath.
_http://www.npnnola.com/_ (http://www.npnnola.com/)=20
=20
14. Nathan Rothstein, Executive Director _nathan@nolayurp.org_=20
(mailto:nathan@nolayurp.org) (participant at New Orleans Institute)
The New Orleans Young Urban Rebuilding Professionals Initiative =20
_www.nolayurp.org_ (http://www.nolayurp.org/)=20
=20
15. Karen Gadbois, Founder, Common Knowledge =20
_http://www.squanderedheritage.com/_ (http://www.squanderedheritage.com/)=20
This grassroots group has been one of the most persistent citizen=20
"watchdogs" to call for=20
accountability with government agencies as New Orleans recovers after=20
Katrina.
=20
16. Award winning journalists from the New Orleans Times Picayune gained=20
international acclaim for documenting the Katrina disaster and the communit=
y=20
based rebuilding process noted above. Michelle Krupa and Chris Rose (Pulti=
zer=20
Prize for Public Service) The Richards met Rose at the New Orleans Institut=
e=20
on the second day of their work in New Orleans. Michelle Krupa interviewed=20
Mike and Lynette Richards in Cedar Rapids as they were gutting their floode=
d=20
building in the New Bohemia District of Cedar Rapids, Iowa
=20
=20
17. Amy Sins, Coordinator; Chefs of New Orleans Help Iowa; =20
_http://www.crcl.org/RubySlippersBook.html_ (http://www.crcl.org/RubySlipper=
sBook.html)=20
Amy organized a truckload of food and staff and fed 1,700 people in=20
Iowa that had been flooded out=20
of their homes and businesses. Amy and REBUILD and GROW will be=20
organizing future fundraising=20
and assistance interchanges with the Chefs of New Orleans and the=20
people of Iowa.
=20
18. Tommy Cvitanovich, Owner, Drago's New Orleans Seafood Restaurant
Tommy exemplifies the community spirit that has rebuilt New Orleans. During=20=
=20
the aftermath of Katrina he housed employees in 10 FEMA trailers on site at=
=20
his restaurant and gave away more than 75,000 meals to people in need. Tom=
my=20
invited Michael and Lynette Richards to his world famous restaurant DRAGO t=
o=20
talk about community rebuilding initiatives in Iowa. =20
_http://www.dragosrestaurant.com/index.htm_ (http://www.dragosrestaurant.com=
/index.htm)=20
19. Kristin Palmer, Director, Rebuilding Together/New Orleans =20
504-388-0138 _kpalmer@prcno.org_ (mailto:kpalmer@prcno.org)=20
Rebuilding Together is part of a national network of grassroots=20
organizations around the USA
that work to keep low income elderly in traditional older=20
neighborhoods. _www.rtno.org_ (http://www.rtno.org/)=20
=20
=20
Summary and Recommendations for immediate emergency response in Cedar Rapid=
s=20
Iowa;
=20
REBUILD and GROW offers a clear and decisive=
=20
plan of action;
=20
1. Form Recovery and Rebuild Response Teams in every one of the 6 flooded=20
neighborhoods in Cedar Rapids
=20
2. Thoroughly gut and seal up every flooded property before winter, 2008 an=
d=20
target Spring '09 for rebuild. All of the disaster recovery groups that=20
we met with in New Orleans stated the exact same thing;
=20
No matter what, even if there is a possibility that a property will=20
eventually be demolished, gut and seal=20
up every single building. The gut and seal work activity accomplishes=20
several things; =20
=20
a. psychological closure for the owner or residents even if the=20=
=20
property is eventually demolished.=20
Gutting and sealing a home is the honorable approach, no=20
matter what the end result will be. =20
Many of these homes were built by grandparents, passed on fo=
r=20
generations. We need to respect=20
them by cleaning and caring for each home and each=20
neighborhood. This process cannot be=20
delayed. Each family can then have a :"ceremony of closure=
"=20
to start their healing process.
=20
b. preserve all options for future rebuilding after a long term=
=20
recovery plan is in place
=20
c. safety and health issues; minimize rodent, pest and physical=
=20
hazards in the flooded zones.
900 square blocks of garbage and debris is now a huge healt=
h=20
hazard, and the effects will=20
spread into the entire city if this is ignored by City =20
Government any longer. Leaving this health=20
and safety hazard in our streets is irresponsible. Call out=
=20
Iowa National Guard for clean up.
=20
Since winter is coming fast in Iowa, we need to set a goal for every home=20
and property in the flooded areas are fully gutted, all debris removed and=20=
all=20
pipes sealed and drained before the first frost.=20
=20
Here is our clear and decisive plan or immediate action/Late Summer-Early=20
Fall '08
=20
REBUILD and GROW is contacting every single youth church group, high=20
school,college and university in Iowa to set up an emergency volunteer yout=
h corps. =20
Every Saturday and Sunday until winter, these "weekend warriors" will=20
march down the streets of the flooded areas "block by block". =20
=20
A Block Brigade will work like this as it moves down each flooded block:
=20
* Three Gut and Seal trucks, outfitted with tools and materials t=
o=20
gut and seal for winter
* A dump truck and end-loader tractor follows to immediately=20
dispose of flood debris
* A lawn mower patrol follows taking care of weeds and grass that=
=20
are fast becoming a hazard.
* We recruit Red Cross and/or Salvation army to follow with a foo=
d=20
and water truck
=20
At the end of one block, every Block Brigade stops work at 5 pm and we=20
celebrate with a block party.
=20
During the winter months, each of the local neighborhood response teams can=
=20
plan out a more thorough recover and rebuild plan of action. Those=20
properties that can definitely be rebuilt can be organized for full constru=
ction=20
activity in the Spring of 2009.
=20
In the Early Spring of 2009, our emergency volunteer youth corps are called=
=20
back out;
=20
* The Broom Crew goes down streets and sidewalks, cleaning=20
thoroughly with push brooms. =20
* A Lawn and Garden and sidewalk crew plant flowers in yards and city righ=
t=20
of way.
* We recruit Red Cross and/or Salvation army to follow with a foo=
d=20
and water truck.
=20
At the end of one block, every Block Brigade stops work at 5 pm and we=20
celebrate with a block party
=20
=20
In the Late Spring of 2009, our emergency volunteer youth corps are called=20
back out to plant a=20
"Victory Garden" in the yard of every home owner or neigborhood group that =20
wants to build local economic self-sufficiency as we recover from this floo=
d. =20
Most flooded families are low income and or elderly, so this is an importan=
t=20
part of economic recovery and community strength.
=20
At the end of one block, every Block Brigade stops work at 5 pm and we=20
celebrate with a block party
=20
=20
Each of the local neighborhood emergency recovery and response teams will=20
then work very closely with the businesses, churches, schools and other=20
neighborhood based institutions to recover and rebuild the social, economic=
and=20
cultural fabric of each of the 6 CR/IA neighborhoods directly effected by t=
he=20
Flood of '08. We will rebuild Taylor School as an irreplaceable asset in th=
e=20
Taylor Neighborhood.
=20
We will also establish citizen committees to focus on various key disaster=20
recovery issues;
=20
*Affordable Housing (most homes hit by the flood in Iowa were low=20
income/affordable homes)
*Building a Creative Economy, Building a Growing Economy to finance full =20
community recovery
*Meeting the emotional, physical and spiritual needs of families and childr=
en
*Community Building and Neighborhood Revitalization.
=20
Michael and Lynette Richards have been working for 40 years as grassroots=20
neighborhood community organizers and social entrepreneurs. This started wi=
th=20
Lynette's work in the 1960's with the Revitalization Corps in Des Moines an=
d=20
Mike's community organizing work in the Southeast Bottoms Neighborhood S.E.=
of=20
the Iowa State Capitol during that same time. Mike and Lynette met and=20
married 32 years ago during a one year cultural exchange and education miss=
ion=20
that included 12 nations in Central and South America.
=20
=20
The Richards family are native Iowans. They returned to Iowa 15 years ago=20
after living and working in many parts of the USA and internationally. In=20
addition to their work in Iowa, they have served as neighborhood organizers=
in=20
the Harlem and "Alphabet City" Neighborhoods in New York City and the Capit=
ol=20
Hill/Colfax District of Denver, Colorado They were named "National Social=20
Entrepreneurs" of the Year by Who Cares Magazine. Their innovative communit=
y=20
based enterprise was cited as "National Best Practice in Community Economic=
=20
Development" by then President Bill Clinton at the National Conference of M=
ayors.=20
A year later, Vice President Al Gore recognized the Richards as the SBA=20
"National Business of the Year for Welfare to Work". People Magazine and O=
prah=20
have featured the work of these innovative social entrepreneurs.=20
=20
The Richards family did not seek "disaster experience", but the six members=
=20
of the Richards family have survived a devastating tornado, the Iowa Flood=20=
of=20
2008, major earthquakes in LA and San Francisco, and Ben Richards was on a=20
small island in the Indian Ocean when the largest Tsunami in history struck=
=20
with incredible force. Ben had moved to higher ground just six hours before=
the=20
devastating wave crashed on shore. Our family know how to stay calm in an=20
emergency and how to organize effective recovery work.
=20
Michael Richards was recruited in July 2008 to serve on the REBUILD IOWA=20
Economic Development Task Force coordinated in the Office of the Governor o=
f=20
Iowa.
=20
For the past 8 years, the Richards community organizing work has focused on=
=20
their home neighborhood in the New Bohemia District/Oakhill Jackson in Ceda=
r=20
Rapids, Iowa. =20
=20
You can review some of the neighborhood organizing that we have been =20
involved with at:
=20
_www.neighborhoodnetworknews.com_ (http://www.neighborhoodn
etworknews.com/) Click on Community Gardens, Core Neighborhood=
s
=20
Taylor School, etc. as you scan down this webpage.
=20
This work has now entered a "double full circle" cycle of community effort=
;=20
Lynette Richards had been taking youth groups from Cedar Rapids to assist=20
families and neighborhoods with rebuilding efforts along the Gulf Coast aft=
er=20
Katrina. In the Flood of '08 in Iowa, the Richards family lost their own ho=
mes=20
and business property. Grassroots neighborhood organizers in New Orleans=20
have generously reached out. We are now setting up a unified effort with gr=
oups=20
in New Orleans and Iowa. Together, we will build a self-help disaster=20
response structure that can be deployed in any community anywhere as needed=
. With =20
climate change and other possible community disasters, a citizen's response=
=20
capability is greatly needed.
=20
For further information, contact;
=20
Michael and Lynette Richards, Co-Directors
=20
REBUILD AND GROW; an Iowa affiliate of BEACON OF HOPE of New Orleans
1132 Ninth Street S.E. in the Oakhill-Jackson Neighborhood
Phone; 319-213-2051 You can sign into our community at; =20
_www.rebuildandgrow.org_ (http://www.rebuildandgrow.org/)=20
Any individual or organization can make a tax deductible donation to Rebuil=
d=20
and Grow/Iowa.
=20
Such donations are registered and accountable through the Rebuild and Grow =20
Project 501-c-3 parent organization; Sohodojo. Sohodojo is a not for profi=
t=20
organization that is dedicated to community based economic development,=20
education and research for distressed urban and rural communities.=20
=20
The Flood of '08 resulted in 10 billion dollars of economic loss in both=20
rural and urban areas of Iowa. This will be long term recovery process. =20
Rebuild and Grow is one of the many community resources that will help Iowa=
to=20
recover and rebuild after the Flood of '08. We all need to link in our eff=
orts=20
in the most effective ways that we can devise.
=20
The Rebuild and Grow Project will partner closely with all other=20
organizations that are working to recover and rebuild housing, small busine=
ss and=20
neighborhood based institutions such as schools and churches. With our gra=
ssroots,=20
neighborhood based, self-help approach, the Rebuild and Grow Project fills=20=
a=20
very necessary niche in this broad based coalition for recovery.
=20
For those interested in funding Rebuild and Grow through Sohodojo=E2=80=99s=20=
501(C)(3)=20
status, the following information will be helpful:=20
=C2=B7 Sohodojo, Inc. is a U.S. IRS-certified 501(C)(3), EIN: 56-22=
62468=20
=C2=B7 Sohodojo=E2=80=99s profile can be found at GuideStar (Note=20=
=E2=80=93Login=20
required to view profiles. GuideStar Membership is free. A direct link=
to the=20
Sohodojo profile is provided below:=20
_http://www.guidestar.org/pqShowGsReport.do?npoId=3D100655291_=20
(http://www.guidestar.org/pqShowGsReport.do?npoId=3D100655291) =20
=C2=B7 Those wanting to make immediate on-line donations to Rebuild=
and=20
Grow may do so through our memberships in _Network for Good_=20
(http://partners.guidestar.org/controller/searchResults.gs?action_donateRepo=
rt=3D1&partner=3Dnetwork
forgood&ein=3D56-2262468) and _JustGive.org_=20
(http://www.justgive.org/giving/donate.jsp?charityId=3D16899&) . (These lin=
ks go directly to Rebuild and=20
Grow/Sohodojo=E2=80=99s profile page at these organizations.)=20
=C2=B7 Contributions by check that are sent through the US mail sho=
uld be=20
directed to: =20
Rebuild and Grow/Iowa, P.O. Box 154, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52406=20
Contributors should make a notation; Rebuild and Grow/Iowa-Sohodojo on thei=
r=20
check, or in the appropriate designation field in the on-line donation form=
s=20
with the internet based services.=20
=C2=B7 Anyone making a donation to Rebuild and Grow through Sohodoj=
o will=20
receive a receipt documenting the full tax deductible nature of the donatio=
n=20
under the IRS 501 C-3- protocol.=20
Rebuild and Grow looks forward to working with all of you as we get busy=20
with the challenging and rewarding work of rebuilding and re-imagining Ceda=
r=20
Rapids and all the other flood-ravaged cities, towns, and neighborhoods of=20=
Iowa.=20
We believe our immediate work in Iowa to create an on-line community =20
communication platform to encourage and organize disaster recovery voluntee=
rism=20
will become a model for disaster recovery in any community.=20
We especially appreciate the exciting opportunity to work with the Beacon o=
f=20
Hope organization in New Orleans. Through a two-way relationship we will=20
learn much from them to kick-start our program and we, in turn, will provid=
e=20
feedback and technical/on-line innovations to extend and enhance their=20
established programs in New Orleans .=20
Without vision a people will perish. =E2=80=93The Book of Proverbs=20
Neighborhood Cohesion as a Key to Recovery and Renewal of the Community of=20
Cedar Rapids=20
The central core neighborhoods that were hit hardest by the flood are Cedar=
=20
Rapids=E2=80=99 oldest, historic neighborhoods. History is made in our every=
day =20
lives, in the small places. Cedar Rapids grew up as a mill town, a regiona=
l=20
industrial center. Time Check, Taylor-Kingston, Czech Village, Rompot and=20
Oakhill-Jackson are working class neighborhoods that have served Cedar Rapi=
ds for a=20
century. These are the hands that built this city. One aspect of these=20
neighborhoods is very strong community connectivity and inter-generational=20=
social=20
fabric. Many homes were built by grandfathers, handed down to parents and=20=
a=20
third generation are now homeowners. These neighborhoods have a much higher=
=20
percentage of home owners than low income neighborhoods in most cities. The=
=20
flood struck a huge percentage of the =E2=80=9Caffordable=E2=80=9D homes in=
Cedar Rapids. =20
Some are now structurally unsound and some may be in extreme risk of future=
=20
flooding. Individual homes may be demolished, but neighborhoods must be=20
preserved.=20
We can take a novel approach to rebuilding Cedar Rapids if we are conscious=
=20
of the human and community aspect of the flooded neighborhoods. Fifty one p=
er=20
cent of the people flooded out are over 60. Many of the residents were=20
single moms, the working poor. We can take all of these =E2=80=9Csocial c=
hallenges=E2=80=9D=20
and create innovative social solutions by rebuilding neighborhoods=20
intelligently. =20
Where affordable housing meets the bulldozer in the 100 year flood plain, a=
=20
few blocks away on higher ground in the same neighborhood we can build=20
inter-generational housing clusters. Some buildings could be constructed=20=
as=20
inter-generational co-housing, where the more elderly residents become a vi=
tal=20
resource to provide on-site child care for working moms and younger familie=
s can=20
provide on-site care and support for elderly neighbors. We can understand=
=20
social challenges and create novel social solutions. As we rise up from thi=
s=20
disaster, we can build a stronger, better community.=20
The community cohesion that we build to recover from this disaster will als=
o=20
be a very valuable resource to solve our daily disasters of alcohol and dru=
g=20
abuse, poverty and despair, divorce and child neglect. All of these are =20
symptoms of a dysfunctional community. By necessity, we will build a =20
functional community to rebuild from the Flood of 2008. We will all be bet=
ter as a=20
result.=20
As noted in the name of this organization, REBUILD AND GROW; Our first=20
objective is to recovery and rebuilding. If we pursue this process with=20
intelligence and care, we can then GROW as a community that is green and s=
ustainable.=20
Before the Flood of 2008, Michael Richards had founded Sustainable=20
Ecological Economic Development S.E.E.D., an Iowa not for profit education=20=
and=20
research group. As author of Sustainable Operating Systems (available at=20
_www.amazon.com_ (http://www.amazon.com/) ) Michael Richards is a frequent=20=
speaker and=20
conference leader at universities and community conferences on building=20
sustainable communities. =20
The second annual S.E.E.D. Conference will take place in fall of 2008 on=20
October 24,25,26. =20
Our Conference Theme will be; Seeking Sustainable Solutions as we recover=20
from the Flood of '08.=20
The Annual S.E.E.D. conference will follow the same six educational tracks=20
as the first annual conference, however, we will seek specific sustainable=20
solutions for new community challenges presented by the historic flood of 2=
008. =20
=20
Track I: Sustainable Food, Health and Wellness
Track II: Integrating Shelter and the Environment: Community Ecotecture
Track III; Renewable Energy, Conservation, Efficient Transportation
Track IV: Community Building, Education and Civic Action/Political Process
Track V Ecological Economic Development/Jobs for Seven Generations
Track VI: A Moral, Religious, Ethical and Philosophical Foundation for Land=
=20
and Resource Stewardship in a Sustainable Society.=20
You can review the S.E.E.D. Conference 2007 at this link;=20
_http://www.resourcesforlife.com/groups/seed-iowa/_=20
(http://www.resourcesforlife.com/groups/seed-iowa/)=20
For further background, here are links to the Richards' family personal =20
experience in the Flood of '08
=20
_http://www.nola.com/katrinaphotos/tp/gallery.ssf?cgi-bin/view_gallery.cgi/n=
ol
a/view_gallery.ata?g_id=3D10406_=20
(http://www.nola.com/katrinaphotos/tp/gallery.ssf?cgi-bin/view_gallery.cgi/n=
ola/view_gallery.ata?g_id=3D10406)=20
=20
=20
=20
=20
_http://www.vimeo.com/1328628?pg=3Dembed&sec=3D1328628_=20
(http://www.vimeo.com/1328628?pg=3Dembed&sec=3D1328628)=20
=20
=20
_http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=3Den-us&vid=3D5281c1f1-fe39-4668-8f57-f=
fcf41c
c4ae8&fg=3Drss&from=3D34_=20
(http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=3Den-us&vid=3D5281c1f1-fe39-4668-8f57-f=
fcf41cc4ae8&fg=3Drss&from=3D34)=20
=20
You are welcome to forward this e mail to every volunteer group, funding=20
source and media provider that you know of. We need your help and love=20=
to=20
rebuild Iowa after the Flood of 2008. We will then in turn share our capac=
ity=20
that we build with any location where a similar need arises. We are all i=
n=20
this together.
=20
Where music and laughter once filled the air;
I saw the great vacant ghost of a politician's stare.
=20
In the City that care forgot.
=20
Today, between the have and have nots,=20
Stand the same miles or red tape that let bodies rot.
=20
In the City that care forgot.
=20
-Dr. John, legendary New Orleans Musician
=20
Call 319-213-2051 or replay by e mail if you are ready to get to work.
=20
You can forward this e mail far and wide
=20
Neighbors helping Neighbors, New Orleans/Iowa Alliance;Decisive Plan of=20
Action
=20
=20
**************Looking for a car that's sporty, fun and fits in your budget?=20
Read reviews on AOL Autos. =20
(http://autos.aol.com/cars-Volkswagen-Jetta-2009/expert-review?ncid=3Daolaut=
00030000000007 )
-------------------------------1218833098
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Content-Language: en
<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<HTML xmlns:o =3D "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"><HEAD>
<META http-equiv=3DContent-Type content=3D"text/html; charset=3DUTF-8">
<META content=3D"MSHTML 6.00.6000.16711" name=3DGENERATOR></HEAD>
<BODY id=3Drole_body style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY:=20=
Arial"=20
bottomMargin=3D7 leftMargin=3D7 topMargin=3D7 rightMargin=3D7><FONT id=3Drol=
e_document=20
face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>
<DIV>
<DIV><STRONG> </STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG> Neighbors helping=20
Neighbors, New Orleans/Iowa Alliance; A Decisive Plan of=20
Action</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV>When <STRONG>Katrina </STRONG>brought about the single largest=20
disaster <EM>in the entire history of our nation</EM>, there was no way=
for=20
"experts" or conventional top down leadership to respond=20
effectively. <EM>There is no operations manual for an=20
event that did not have precedent.</EM> <STRONG> Neighborhood=
=20
citizen groups</STRONG> have filled that void by joining together to=20
communicate, organize and devise ways to build communities back up from the=20
grassroots level.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>When the <STRONG>Flood of 2008</STRONG> resulted in the single largest=20
disaster that has ever taken place in the<EM> history of the State of Iowa,<=
/EM>=20
again, there are no experts, no clear precedents, no operations=20
manual. <STRONG> Neighborhood citizen groups</STRONG> i=
n=20
Iowa are stepping up to fill that void by joining together to communica=
te,=20
organize and devise ways to build communities back up from the grassroots=20
level.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Citizen based teams <EM>in both locations</EM> now join as a=20
<STRONG>strong working alliance</STRONG> <EM>to meet our mutual=20
needs.</EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM>We see great value in a long term cultural and commercial interchan=
ge=20
between Louisiana and Iowa.</EM></DIV>
<DIV><BR>You are welcome to <STRONG>forward this e mail</STRONG> to every=20
volunteer group, funding source and media person that you know that wou=
ld=20
be interested in this citizen=20
activated initiative. We need your help and lov=
e to=20
rebuild Iowa after the Flood of 2008. We will then in turn share the=20
experience and capacity that we derive from this recovery work wit=
h=20
any location where a similar need arises. <EM>We are all in this=
=20
together.<BR><BR></EM>------------------------------------------------------=
----------------------------------------------------------------------------=
----------------------<BR></DIV>
<DIV>  =
; <FONT=20
size=3D4> Organizational=20
Announcement: <STRONG>REBUILD AND=20
GROW</STRONG></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT=20
size=3D3> &=
nbsp;  =
; =20
<EM>an alliance with</EM> <STRONG>Beacon of Hope/New=20
Orleans</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=3D4></FONT></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV> -----------------------------------------------------------------=
----------------------------------------------------------------------------=
----------</DIV>
<DIV> =20
<META content=3D"MSHTML 6.00.6000.16681" name=3DGENERATOR><FONT id=3Drolx_do=
cument=20
face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>
<DIV><STRONG> Neighborhood Based, Citizen Directed Initiatives to Reco=
ver=20
and Rebuild after the '08 Flood </STRONG>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>Objective</STRONG>; Learn best practice methods from=20
other cities and then implement for specific needs in Iowa.</DIV>
<DIV><EM></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM>A full recovery takes place through citizen participation and=20
total transparency at all levels of governance.</EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM></EM> </DIV>
<DIV>Many federal, state and local government entities and traditional socia=
l=20
service agencies are working with disaster recovery after the Flood of '08 i=
n=20
Iowa. <STRONG> REBUILD AND GROW</STRONG> has been establishe=
d to=20
fill a <STRONG><U>very</U> <U>crucial niche</U></STRONG> in this=20
comprehensive approach to disaster recovery<EM>; <STRONG>We organize the eff=
orts=20
of neighbor helping neighbor at the grassroots level of community=20
organization.</STRONG> This is a self-help process.</EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM></EM> </DIV>
<DIV>To aid this <STRONG>self help process</STRONG> a state of the art,=20
<STRONG>open source web site</STRONG> has been set up as an effective tool</=
DIV>
<DIV>of<STRONG> community directed, totally inclusive=20
communication</STRONG><EM>; </EM><A=20
title=3Dhttp://www.rebuildandgrow.org/=20
href=3D"http://www.rebuildandgrow.org/"><EM>www.rebuildandgrow.org</EM></A><=
/DIV>
<DIV><EM></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><U>You</U> are all the source of the knowledge base that we need to=
=20
<STRONG>organize a full recovery in Iowa</STRONG>. You can <U>sign on=20=
to=20
this website</U> and start contributing your knowledge, experience and visio=
n as=20
a <STRONG>shared resource</STRONG>.</EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM></EM> </DIV>
<DIV>Every citizen in Iowa can contribute to building our <STRONG>community=20
recovery plan</STRONG>. We also welcome volunteers and other resource=20
people from anywhere in the world to sign on and add content to this growing=
=20
knowledge base. We are sharing volunteer resources with Beacon o=
f=20
Hope in New Orleans.</DIV>
<DIV><EM></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM>T</EM><EM>he fact is, volunteers have rebuilt New Orleans. =20
Without this influx of amazing human capital and energy, New Orleans would n=
ot=20
be rising up out of Katrina with the creativity, love and care that is evide=
nt=20
today.</EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><STRONG>We need you.</STRONG> If you=20=
are=20
ready to share in this effort, please sign it at; <A=20
title=3Dhttp://www.rebuildandgrow.org/=20
href=3D"http://www.rebuildandgrow.org/">www.rebuildandgrow.org</A></EM></DIV=
>
<DIV><EM></EM> </DIV>
<DIV>No one has more direct knowledge about their neighborhood and more=20
motivation to rebuild the neighborhood than the residents and businesses tha=
t=20
built the neighborhood from the ground up <EM>before the disaster</EM>. =
;=20
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>Communication is key to activate recovery after a major=20
disaster</STRONG>. Most families effected by the flood are not at their dama=
ged=20
home location. Our first goal with rebuild and grow is to<STRONG> link=
up=20
these families for mutual self help</STRONG>. We'll communi=
cate=20
with e mail, phone trees, and door to door surveys to locate people working=20=
on=20
their homes. To locate the "diaspora" dispersed by the June flood, we will=20
activate other communications methods such as radio announcements for=20
REBUILD and GROW meetings and by sending out printed flyers to the address o=
f=20
all damaged properties, <EM>as most people are getting mail through the addr=
ess=20
either through mail forwarding or mail pick up at the lock box system</EM> s=
et=20
up by the Post office. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Again, linking in on the Rebuild and Grow<STRONG> interactive=20
website</STRONG> is crucial. Please let any family or business that wa=
s=20
flooded know they can sign on this communication system at; <A=20
title=3Dhttp://www.rebuildandgrow.org/=20
href=3D"http://www.rebuildandgrow.org/"><EM>www.rebuildandgrow.org</EM></A><=
/DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><EM>Please forward this e mail on to any individuals or businesses effe=
cted=20
by the flood.</EM></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Calling on <STRONG>direct citizen involvement and organizing=20
neighborhood initiatives</STRONG> has proven to be the very most effective w=
ay=20
to rebuild a city after a disaster. This fact has now=20
been thoroughly proven in New Orleans after Katrina. In Florida af=
ter=20
major hurricanes. In California in communities destroyed by wild=20
fires.</DIV>
<DIV>REBUILD and GROW is now demonstrating this reality in Iowa.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> REBUILD AND GROW is learning from these past model=
s of=20
citizen based disaster recovery to carry out a <STRONG>citizen based=20
recovery and rebuilding process</STRONG> that is <U>specific to the nee=
ds=20
of Cedar Rapids and other communities hit by disaster in Iowa.</U></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><EM>We have established a citizen based, <STRONG>self-help entity</STRO=
NG>=20
to carry out this work;</EM></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG> &nb=
sp; =20
REBUILD AND GROW;</STRONG> <EM>an Iowa affiliate of</EM>=20
<STRONG>BEACON OF HOPE of New Orleans</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV>You can <STRONG>sign on</STRONG> to become a part our <STRONG>on-l=
ine,=20
interactive community</STRONG> at;</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><A title=3Dhttp://www.rebuildandgrow.org/=20
href=3D"http://www.rebuildandgrow.org/">www.rebuildandgrow.org</A></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>We welcome families and business owners that were impacted by this disa=
ster=20
to sign on and become part of this growing on-line network/community. =20
Volunteers, as well as individual and charitable=20
foundation donors can also sign on to be part of the REBUILD=20=
and=20
GROW<STRONG> on line, virtual community</STRONG>. We encourage pre=
ss=20
and media professionals to sign on to keep up to date with this long-te=
rm=20
recovery work in progress. We also encourage traditional social servic=
e=20
agencies and local governments to link in with our growing model of innovati=
on=20
and community resilience. <EM>Together, we can get the job=20
done.</EM></DIV>
<DIV><U></U> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><U>Here is what our Rebuild and Grow model will=20=
look=20
like on the ground in Cedar Rapids, Iowa;</U></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>We are actively organizing a=20
<STRONG>self-help</STRONG> <STRONG>disaster recovery and response=20
team</STRONG> in each of the neighborhoods in our city that were directly=20
impacted by the flood;</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>1</STRONG>. Downtown disaster response team to work with local=20
small business recovery</DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>2.</STRONG> Time Check-NW Neighbors disaster response=20
team</DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>3.</STRONG> Czech Village disaster response team</DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>4</STRONG>. Taylor School Area disaster response team</DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>5.</STRONG> Oakhill-Jackson/New Bohemia disaster response=20
team</DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>6.</STRONG> Cedar Valley-Rompot</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Since <STRONG>REBUILD and GROW</STRONG> is based in Cedar Rapids, <EM>t=
hat=20
will be our initial focus</EM>. We will invite other communities that=20=
were=20
directly impacted with flood damage to form a self-help neighborhood=20
recovery and response team at their option. These could include Charle=
s=20
City, Waverly, Waterloo, Vinton, Palo, Columbus Junction, Oakville and the=20
Birdland Neighborhood of Des Moines. (or any community impacted by an emerge=
ncy=20
or disaster.) Each neighborhood will organize <EM>autonomous action</E=
M>,=20
but join in with a <STRONG>statewide coalition for effective group=20
advocacy.</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Each neighborhood recovery and rebuild team is comprised of=20
<EM>homeowners and business owners</EM> in each specific neighborhood=20
that are directly effected by the Flood of 2008. <STRONG> No one i=
s=20
more motivated than people who experienced the disaster=20
directly.</STRONG> Unfortunately, the more that time passes=
=20
after the flood, the more that the rest of our city, state and nation w=
ill=20
"get back to normal". Those personally impacted by the flood will=
=20
need to rely more on more on the support, encouragement, and help that =
they=20
provide to each other. <STRONG> Our goal is to restore=20
community bonds and build even stronger bonds after the disaster.</STRONG></=
DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV>Our central coordinating <STRONG>Rebuild and Grow Team </STRONG>wi=
ll=20
meet <U>once each week</U> to plan out and implement the priority order=
=20
of our neighborhood recovery and rebuild plan of action. Thes=
e=20
are totally open meetings that anyone with an interest in our work can=20
attend. This meeting will take place at <STRONG>2 pm each Sunday</STRO=
NG>=20
at the <STRONG>REBUILD AND GROW Headquarters at 1132 Ninth Street S.E. In Ce=
dar=20
Rapids. </STRONG></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Since REBUILD and GROW demands an open, inclusive and transparent proce=
ss=20
with official government entities, we model inclusion and=20
transparency as a neighborhood citizen's organization. Everyone i=
s=20
welcome to attend our meetings. <STRONG>Call 319-213-2051 for further=20
information.</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>We will encourage each neighborhood based <STRONG>satellite rebuild and=
=20
recovery team</STRONG> to set up regular meetings that meet their speci=
fic=20
local needs.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>During our beginning stage of recovery, we will convene=
a=20
<STRONG>general citizen's council every two weeks</STRONG> to review=20
progress, share crucial information and provide mutual support and coordinat=
e as=20
a city wide effort.</DIV>
<DIV>All local neighborhood groups will be encouraged to link in with=20
us and will be always welcome to participate. These planning meeti=
ngs=20
are also open for anyone that wants to keep informed or volunteer=20
assistance.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Lynette and Michael Richards of Cedar Rapids were identified by=20
<STRONG>citizen based disaster response organizations in New Orleans</STRONG=
> as=20
the kind of <EM>on the street</EM>,<STRONG>=20
neighborhood-based organizers</STRONG> that have served as a=20
community catalyst for disaster recovery in New Orleans after=20
Katrina. The Richards family lost two homes and a business building to=
the=20
Flood of 2008. We <EM>know the pain</EM>, and we also=20
<EM>celebrate our hope and strength </EM>as we rebuild. Reb=
uild=20
and Grow<STRONG> </STRONG>is a <EM>self-help effort with fellow=20
survivors.</EM></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV>In early <STRONG>August,=20
2008</STRONG> the Richards visited <STRONG>neighborhood=20
based disaster recovery initiatives</STRONG> in many neighborhoods in New=20
Orleans that were devastated by Katrina; Holycross, Broadmoor, Lakeview=
,=20
St. Bernard Parish, Lakewood, Lakeshore, Gentilly, Central City, Upper=20
Ninth Ward and East New Orleans, We also visited the "Make it Righ=
t"=20
in fill/rebuild construction sites in the Lower Ninth Ward.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>The Richards arrived in New Orleans on <STRONG>Monday August 4</STRONG>=
=20
and returned to Iowa launch <STRONG>REBUILD and GROW</STRONG>=20
in Cedar Rapids on <STRONG>August 13, 2008, two months after the f=
lood=20
crest. </STRONG>During their week in New Orleans, The Richards=20
engaged in training and consultation from about <EM>8 in the=20
morning to 8 in the evening</EM> each day for an entire week.=
=20
This was a very intensive training and learning process. We=20
appreciate our allies in New Orleans that made this work. This N=
ew=20
Orleans/Iowa alliance will continue to grow.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Our intensive training included work and=20
consultation with many disaster recovery leaders in New Orleans. B=
elow=20
you will find the list of the exceptional organizations and leaders we met w=
ith=20
from <STRONG>Aug.4 -11, 2008</STRONG>;</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>1.</STRONG> La Toya Cantrell, President, Broadmoor=20
Improvement Association</DIV>
<DIV> <A title=3Dhttp://www.broadmoorimprovemen=
t.com/=20
href=3D"http://www.broadmoorimprovement.com/">www.broadmoorimprovement.com</=
A></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>2.</STRONG> Denise Thornton, President/Founder, Lakewood=20
Beacon of Hope/New Orleans</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> Rita LeGrand, Louisiana State "Volunteer of th=
e=20
Year" for 2008</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> <A title=3Dhttp://www.lakewoodbeacon.org/=20
href=3D"http://www.lakewoodbeacon.org/">www.lakewoodbeacon.org</A></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>3.</STRONG> Al Petrie, President, Lakeview Civic Association of=
New=20
Orleans</DIV>
<DIV> <A title=3Dhttp://www.lakeviewcivic.org/=20
href=3D"http://www.lakeviewcivic.org/">www.lakeviewcivic.org</A></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>4</STRONG>. Connie Uddo, Project Director, Episcopal Diocese of=
=20
Louisiana Disaster Recovery Team</DIV>
<DIV> Nell Bolton, Executive Director</DIV>
<DIV> <A title=3Dhttp://odr.edola.org/=20
href=3D"http://odr.edola.org/">http://odr.edola.org/</A></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>5</STRONG>. Liz McCartney and Zack Rosenburg,=20
Founders/Co-Directors, St. Bernard Project in New Orleans</DIV>
<DIV> <A title=3Dhttp://www.stbernardproject.org/=20
href=3D"http://www.stbernardproject.org/">http://www.stbernardproject.org/</=
A></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>6.</STRONG> Glenn and Kathy Stoudt, Parent=20
Volunteers Youth Rebuilding=20=
New=20
Orleans</DIV>
<DIV> <A title=3Dhttp://www.yrno.com/involvement.htm=20
href=3D"http://www.yrno.com/involvement.htm">http://www.yrno.com/involvement=
.htm</A></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>7</STRONG>. Mark Schexnayder, Office of the Chancellor, Louisia=
na=20
State University Ag Center and Ewell of the </DIV>
<DIV> Lousiana Seafood Board convened a conference table o=
f=20
Louisiana leaders to meet the Richards. </DIV>
<DIV> <STRONG>Iowa-Louisiana Commercial Exchange</STRONG>,=
an=20
initiative for mutual economic recovery was proposed by </DIV>
<DIV> Michael Richards of Iowa that would engage tra=
de=20
in Louisiana Seafood and products, Iowa beef, pork, </DIV>
<DIV> poultry and other ag goods. A closed=
=20
loop product transport system where products are delivered in both </DIV>
<DIV> directions. We need to REBUILD but also GROW b=
oth=20
the Iowa and Louisiana economies.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>8.</STRONG> Lisa Kaichen, <A title=3Dmailto:lisakaichen@aol.com=
=20
href=3D"mailto:lisakaichen@aol.com">lisakaichen@aol.com</A> The U=
nified=20
Non-Profit Council of New Orleans organized post Katrina recovery and rebuil=
ding=20
by bringing together the non-profit sector for collaborative action. =20
Michael Richards sits on the <STRONG>Linn County Long Term Recovery=20
Council</STRONG> as we all model this approach in Iowa as well.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>9</STRONG>. Mary Rowe, Vice President of Urban=20
Programs<STRONG>,</STRONG> The Blue Moon Fund <A=20
title=3Dhttp://www.bluemoonfund.org/=20
href=3D"http://www.bluemoonfund.org/">www.bluemoonfund.org</A> </=
DIV>
<DIV> Blue Moon is a leading national funder of=20
neighborhood based, sustainable development projects</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>10.</STRONG> Make It Right, in-fill home construction initiativ=
e in=20
the Lower Ninth Ward founded and funded by </DIV>
<DIV> actor Brad Pitt. <A=20
title=3Dhttp://www.makeitrightnola.org/=20
href=3D"http://www.makeitrightnola.org/">http://www.makeitrightnola.org/</A>=
=20
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>11</STRONG>. Founding Team; The New Orleans Institute for=
=20
Resilience and Innovation. Michael and Lynette Richards of Iowa attended the=
=20
Institute's planning sessions for a Symposium on the Third Anniversary of=20
Katrina.</DIV>
<DIV> <A=20
title=3Dhttp://www.theneworleansinstitute.org/=20
href=3D"http://www.theneworleansinstitute.org/">www.theneworleansinstitute.o=
rg</A></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>12. </STRONG>Dana Eness, The Urban Conservancy, =20
dedicated to research, education, and advocacy that promote the wise steward=
ship=20
of the urban built environment and local economies <A=20
title=3Dhttp://urbanconservancy.org/=20
href=3D"http://urbanconservancy.org/">http://urbanconservancy.org/</A></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>13.</STRONG> New Orleans Neighborhood Network. This Richa=
rds=20
met with this group at the Neighborhood Night Out on the Campus of Dillard,=20
University. Dillard U was under 8 feet of water during the Katrina=20
aftermath.</DIV>
<DIV><STRONG> </STRONG><A=20
title=3Dhttp://www.npnnola.com/=20
href=3D"http://www.npnnola.com/">http://www.npnnola.com/</A></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>14. </STRONG>Nathan Rothstein, Executive Director <A=20
title=3Dmailto:nathan@nolayurp.org=20
href=3D"mailto:nathan@nolayurp.org">nathan@nolayurp.org</A> =20
(participant at New Orleans Institute)<BR> The=20=
New=20
Orleans Young Urban Rebuilding Professionals Initiative <A=
=20
title=3Dhttp://www.nolayurp.org/=20
href=3D"http://www.nolayurp.org/">www.nolayurp.org</A></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>15</STRONG>. Karen Gadbois, Founder, Common Knowledge <A=20
title=3Dhttp://www.squanderedheritage.com/=20
href=3D"http://www.squanderedheritage.com/">http://www.squanderedheritage.co=
m/</A></DIV>
<DIV> This grassroots group has been one of the=
=20
most persistent citizen "watchdogs" to call for </DIV>
<DIV> accountability with government agenc=
ies=20
as New Orleans recovers after Katrina.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>16.</STRONG> Award winning journalists from the New=20
Orleans Times Picayune gained international acclaim for documenting the=
=20
Katrina disaster and the community based rebuilding process noted above.&nbs=
p;=20
Michelle Krupa and Chris Rose <STRONG>(Pultizer Prize for Public=20
Service)</STRONG> The Richards met Rose at the New Orleans Institute on the=20
second day of their work in New Orleans. Michelle Krupa interviewed Mik=
e=20
and Lynette Richards in Cedar Rapids as they were gutting their flooded buil=
ding=20
in the New Bohemia District of Cedar Rapids, Iowa</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>17</STRONG>. Amy Sins, Coordinator; Chefs of New Orleans=20=
Help=20
Iowa; <A title=3Dhttp://www.crcl.org/RubySlippersBook.html=20
href=3D"http://www.crcl.org/RubySlippersBook.html">http://www.crcl.org/RubyS=
lippersBook.html</A></DIV>
<DIV> Amy organized a truckload of food a=
nd=20
staff and fed 1,700 people in Iowa that had been flooded out </DIV>
<DIV> of their homes and businesses. =
;=20
Amy and REBUILD and GROW will be organizing future fundraising </DIV>
<DIV> and assistance interchanges with the Che=
fs=20
of New Orleans and the people of Iowa.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>18</STRONG>. Tommy Cvitanovich, Owner, Drago's New Orlean=
s=20
Seafood Restaurant</DIV>
<DIV>Tommy exemplifies the community spirit that has rebuilt New Orleans. Du=
ring=20
the aftermath of Katrina he housed employees in 10 FEMA trailers on site=20
at his restaurant and gave away more than 75,000 meals to people in=20
need. Tommy invited Michael and Lynette Richards to his worl=
d=20
famous restaurant DRAGO to talk about community rebuilding initiatives=20=
in=20
Iowa. <A title=3Dhttp://www.dragosrestaurant.com/index.htm=
=20
href=3D"http://www.dragosrestaurant.com/index.htm">http://www.dragosrestaura=
nt.com/index.htm</A><BR></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>19.</STRONG> Kristin Palmer, Director,=20
<STRONG>Rebuilding Together</STRONG>/<EM>New Orleans</EM> 504-388-0138=
<A=20
title=3Dmailto:kpalmer@prcno.org=20
href=3D"mailto:kpalmer@prcno.org">kpalmer@prcno.org</A></DIV>
<DIV> Rebuilding Together is part of a=20
national network of grassroots organizations around the USA</DIV>
<DIV> that work to keep low income elder=
ly=20
in traditional older neighborhoods. <A=20
title=3Dhttp://www.rtno.org/ href=3D"http://www.rtno.org/">www.rtno.org</A><=
/DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>Summary and Recommendations for immediate emergency response in=
=20
Cedar Rapids Iowa;</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>  =
; &nb=
sp; REBUILD=20
and GROW offers a <STRONG>clear and decisive plan of action</STRONG>;</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>1.</STRONG> Form Recovery and Rebuild Response Teams in every o=
ne=20
of the 6 flooded neighborhoods in Cedar Rapids</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>2</STRONG>. Thoroughly <STRONG>gut and seal up</STRONG> ev=
ery=20
flooded property <U><STRONG>before winter, 2008 and </STRONG>target=20
<STRONG>Spring '09</STRONG> for=20
<STRONG>rebuild</STRONG></U><STRONG>.</STRONG> All of the disaster=20
recovery groups that we met with in New Orleans stated the exact same=20
thing;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D1></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV> <EM>No matter what</EM>, even if there is a possibil=
ity=20
that a property will eventually be demolished, <STRONG>gut and seal=20
</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG> up every single building</STRONG>. =20
<U>The gut and seal work activity accomplishes several=20
things</U>; </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D1></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV> <STRONG>&nb=
sp;a</STRONG>.=20
<STRONG>psychological closure</STRONG> for the owner or residents <U>even if=
the=20
property is eventually demolished</U>. </DIV>
<DIV>  =
; =20
Gutting and sealing a home is <EM>the honorable approach</EM>, no matter wha=
t=20
the end result will be. </DIV>
<DIV>  =
; Many=20
of these homes were built by grandparents, passed on for generations. =20=
We=20
need to <EM>respect</EM> </DIV>
<DIV>  =
; <EM> them</EM>=20
by cleaning and caring for each home and each neighborhood. <STRONG>This pro=
cess=20
cannot be</STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV>  =
; =20
<STRONG>delayed</STRONG>. Each family can then have a :"ceremony of=20
closure" to start their healing process.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> <STRONG>=20
b</STRONG>.<STRONG> preserve all options</STRONG> for future rebuilding afte=
r a=20
long term recovery plan is in place</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> <STRONG> =20
c.</STRONG> <STRONG>safety and health issues</STRONG>; minimize rodent,=
=20
pest and physical hazards in the flooded zones.</DIV>
<DIV>  =
; =20
900 square blocks of garbage and debris <STRONG>is now</STRONG> <STRONG>a=20
huge health hazard</STRONG>, and<EM> the effects will </EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM> &=
nbsp; =20
spread into <STRONG>the entire city</STRONG> if this is ignored by City=20
Government any longer. Leaving this health </EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM> &=
nbsp; =20
and safety hazard in our streets is irresponsible. Call out Iowa=20
National Guard for clean up.</EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM></EM> </DIV>
<DIV>Since <STRONG>winter is coming fast in Iowa</STRONG>, we need to s=
et a=20
goal for every home and property in the flooded areas are <STRONG>fully=
=20
gutted, all debris removed and all pipes sealed and drained</STRONG> before=20=
the=20
first frost. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Here is our <STRONG><U>clear and decisive plan</U> or immediate=20
action/Late Summer-Early Fall '08</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>REBUILD and GROW is contacting <EM>every single youth church=20
group, high school,college and university in Iowa</EM> to set up an=20
<STRONG>emergency volunteer youth corps.</STRONG> Every Saturday=
and=20
Sunday until winter, these<STRONG> "weekend warriors" </STRONG>will ma=
rch=20
down the streets of the flooded areas <STRONG>"block by block". =20
</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV>A<STRONG> Block Brigade</STRONG> will work like this as it moves down e=
ach=20
flooded block:</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> * Three=20
<STRONG>Gut and Seal trucks</STRONG>, outfitted with tools and material=
s to=20
gut and seal for winter</DIV>
<DIV> * A <STRONG>dump=
=20
truck and end-loader tractor</STRONG> follows to immediately dispose of=
=20
flood debris</DIV>
<DIV> * A <STRONG>lawn=
=20
mower patrol</STRONG> follows taking care of weeds and grass that are fast=20
becoming a hazard.</DIV>
<DIV> * We recruit Red=
=20
Cross and/or Salvation army to follow with a <STRONG>food and water=20
truck</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV>At the end of one block, every Block Brigade stops work at <STRONG>5 pm=
and=20
we celebrate with a block party.</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV>During the winter months, each of the <STRONG>local neighborhood=20
response teams</STRONG> can plan out a more thorough recover and rebuild pla=
n of=20
action. Those properties that can definitely be rebuilt can be organiz=
ed=20
for full construction activity in the Spring of 2009.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>In the <STRONG>Early Spring of 2009</STRONG>, our=20
<STRONG>emergency volunteer youth corps</STRONG> are called back out;</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> * The <STRONG>Br=
oom=20
Crew</STRONG> goes down streets and sidewalks, cleaning thoroughly with=
=20
push brooms.=20
<DIV> =20
* A<STRONG> Lawn and Garden and sidewalk crew plant flowers in yar=
ds=20
and city right of way.</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV> * We recruit Red=
=20
Cross and/or Salvation army to follow with a <STRONG>food and water=20
truck.</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV>At the end of one block, every Block Brigade stops work at <STRONG>5 pm=
and=20
we celebrate with a block party</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>In the <STRONG>Late Spring of 2009</STRONG>, our=20
<STRONG>emergency volunteer youth corps</STRONG> are called back out to plan=
t a=20
</DIV>
<DIV>"Victory Garden" in the yard of every home owner or neigborhood group t=
hat=20
wants to build local economic self-sufficiency as we recover from this=20
flood. Most flooded families are low income and or elderly, so this is=
an=20
important part of economic recovery and community strength.</DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>At the end of one block, every Block Brigade stops work at <STRONG>5 pm=
and=20
we celebrate with a block party</STRONG></DIV></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV></DIV>
<DIV>Each of the local neighborhood emergency recovery and response tea=
ms=20
will then work very closely with the businesses, churches, schools and=20
other neighborhood based institutions to recover and rebuild the social=
,=20
economic and cultural fabric of each of the 6 CR/IA neighborhoods=20
directly effected by the Flood of '08. We will rebuild Taylor School as=20
an<STRONG> irreplaceable asset</STRONG> in the Taylor Neighborhood.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>We will also establish<STRONG> citizen committees</STRONG> to focus on=20
various key disaster recovery issues;</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>*Affordable Housing (most homes hit by the flood in Iowa we=
re=20
low income/affordable homes)</DIV>
<DIV>*Building a Creative Economy, Building a Growing Economy to finance ful=
l=20
community recovery</DIV>
<DIV>*Meeting the emotional, physical and spiritual needs of families a=
nd=20
children</DIV>
<DIV>*Community Building and Neighborhood Revitalization.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Michael and Lynette Richards have been working for 40 years as=20
grassroots neighborhood community organizers and social entrepreneurs. This=20
started with Lynette's work in the 1960's with the Revitalization Corps=
in=20
Des Moines and Mike's community organizing work in the Southeast Bottom=
s=20
Neighborhood S.E. of the Iowa State Capitol during that same time. =
;=20
Mike and Lynette met and married 32 years ago during a one year cultural=20
exchange and education mission that included 12 nations in Central and South=
=20
America.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>The Richards family are native Iowans. They returned to Iowa <STRONG>15=
=20
years ago</STRONG> after living and working in many parts of the USA an=
d=20
internationally. In addition to their work in Iowa, they have served a=
s=20
neighborhood organizers in the Harlem and "Alphabet City" Neighborhoods in N=
ew=20
York City and the Capitol Hill/Colfax District of Denver, Colorado They=
=20
were named "National Social Entrepreneurs" of the Year by Who Cares Magazine=
.=20
Their innovative community based enterprise was cited as "National Best=
=20
Practice in Community Economic Development" by then President Bill Clinton a=
t=20
the National Conference of Mayors. A year later, Vice President Al=20
Gore recognized the Richards as the SBA "National Business of the=20=
Year=20
for Welfare to Work". People Magazine and Oprah have featured the=
=20
work of these innovative social entrepreneurs. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>The Richards family did not seek "disaster experience", but the=20
six members of the Richards family have survived a devastating=20
tornado, the Iowa Flood of 2008, major earthquakes in LA and=20=
San=20
Francisco, and Ben Richards was on a small island in the Indian Ocean when t=
he=20
largest Tsunami in history struck with incredible force. Ben had moved to hi=
gher=20
ground just six hours before the devastating wave crashed on shore.&nbs=
p;=20
Our family know how to stay calm in an emergency and how to organize effecti=
ve=20
recovery work.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Michael Richards was recruited in July 2008 to serve on the <STRONG>REB=
UILD=20
IOWA Economic Development Task Force coordinated in the Office of the Govern=
or=20
of Iowa.</STRONG></DIV></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>For the past 8 years, the Richards community organizing =
work=20
has focused on their home neighborhood in the New Bohemia District/Oakhill=20
Jackson in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>You can review some of the neighborhood organizing that we have been=20
involved with at:</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> <A title=3Dhttp://www.neighborhoodnetworknews.=
com/=20
href=3D"http://www.neighborhoodnetworknews.com/">www.neighborhoodnetworknews=
.com</A> &n=
bsp; <STRONG>Click=20
on</STRONG> Community Gardens, Core Neighborhoods</DIV>
<DIV>  =
; &nb=
sp; &=
nbsp;  =
; &nb=
sp; =20
Taylor School, etc. as you scan down this webpage.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>This work has now entered a "double full circle" cycle of=20
community effort; Lynette Richards had been taking youth groups fr=
om=20
Cedar Rapids to assist families and neighborhoods with rebuilding efforts al=
ong=20
the Gulf Coast after Katrina. In the Flood of '08 in Iowa, the Richards fami=
ly=20
lost their own homes and business property. Grassroots neighborho=
od=20
organizers in New Orleans have generously reached out. We are now setting up=
a=20
<STRONG>unified effort</STRONG> with groups in New Orleans and Iowa. =20
Together, we will build a self-help disaster response structure th=
at=20
can be deployed in any community anywhere as needed. With=20
climate change and other possible community disasters, a citizen's=
=20
response capability is greatly needed.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>For further information, contact;</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Michael and Lynette Richards, Co-Directors</DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>REBUILD AND GROW; an Iowa affiliate of BEACON OF HO=
PE=20
of New Orleans</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV>1132 Ninth Street S.E. in the Oakhill-Jackson Neighborhood</DIV>
<DIV>Phone;=20
319-213-2051 &nbs=
p; You=20
can sign into our community at; <A=20
title=3Dhttp://www.rebuildandgrow.org/=20
href=3D"http://www.rebuildandgrow.org/">www.rebuildandgrow.org</A></DIV></DI=
V>
<DIV></FONT> </DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV>
<DIV>Any individual or organization can make a <U>tax deductible donation</U=
> to=20
<STRONG>Rebuild and Grow/Iowa.</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Such donations are registered and accountable through the Rebuild and G=
row=20
Project 501-c-3 parent organization; Sohodojo. Sohodojo is a not=20=
for=20
profit organization that is dedicated to community based economic=20
development, education and research for <STRONG>distressed urban and rural=20
communities</STRONG>. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>The Flood of '08 resulted in <STRONG>10 billion dollars of economic=20
loss</STRONG> in both rural and urban areas of Iowa. This will be long=
=20
term recovery process. <STRONG>Rebuild and Grow</STRONG> is one o=
f=20
the many community resources that will help Iowa to recover and rebuild afte=
r=20
the Flood of '08. We all need to link in our efforts in the most=20
effective ways that we can devise.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>The Rebuild and Grow Project</STRONG> will partner=20
closely with all other organizations that are working to recover and=20
rebuild housing, small business and neighborhood based institutions such as=20
schools and churches. With our <STRONG>grassroots, neighborhood=20
based, self-help approach</STRONG>, the Rebuild and Grow Project <U>fil=
ls a=20
very necessary niche</U> in this broad based coalition for recovery.</DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=3DMsoNormal>For those interested in funding <B>Rebuild and Grow=20
</B>through Sohodojo=E2=80=99s 501(C)(3) status, the following information&n=
bsp;will be=20
helpful:<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=3DMsoListParagraph=20
style=3D"MARGIN-LEFT: 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2=
"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol"><SPAN style=3D"mso-list: Ignore">=C2=B7<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> &n=
bsp; =20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>Sohodojo, Inc. is a U.S. IRS-certified 501(C)(3), EIN:=20
<B>56-2262468</B><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=3DMsoListParagraph=20
style=3D"MARGIN-BOTTOM: 12pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MAR=
GIN-RIGHT: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-top-alt: 5.0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol"><SPAN style=3D"mso-list: Ignore">=C2=B7<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> &n=
bsp; =20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>Sohodojo=E2=80=99s profile can be found at <B>GuideStar=
</B>=20
(<STRONG>Note</STRONG> =E2=80=93Login required to view profiles. =
=20
GuideStar Membership is free. A direct link to the Sohodojo profile is=
=20
provided below:</P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif=
'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif=
'"> &=
nbsp; =20
<A title=3Dhttp://www.guidestar.org/pqShowGsReport.do?npoId=3D100655291=20
href=3D"http://www.guidestar.org/pqShowGsReport.do?npoId=3D100655291">http:/=
/www.guidestar.org/pqShowGsReport.do?npoId=3D100655291</A><o:p></o:p></SPAN>=
</P>
<P class=3DMsoListParagraph=20
style=3D"MARGIN-BOTTOM: 12pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MAR=
GIN-RIGHT: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-top-alt: 5.0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol"><SPAN style=3D"mso-list: Ignore">=C2=B7<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> &n=
bsp; =20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>Those wanting to make immediate on-line donations to=20
<B>Rebuild and Grow </B>may do so through our memberships in <B><A=20
title=3Dhttp://partners.guidestar.org/controller/searchResults.gs?action_don=
ateReport=3D1&partner=3Dnetworkforgood&ein=3D56-2262468=20
href=3D"http://partners.guidestar.org/controller/searchResults.gs?action_don=
ateReport=3D1&partner=3Dnetworkforgood&ein=3D56-2262468">Network=20
for Good</A></B> and <B><A=20
title=3Dhttp://www.justgive.org/giving/donate.jsp?charityId=3D16899&=20
href=3D"http://www.justgive.org/giving/donate.jsp?charityId=3D16899&">Ju=
stGive.org</A></B>.=20
(These links go directly to Rebuild and Grow/Sohodojo=E2=80=99s profile page=
at these=20
organizations.)<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=3DMsoListParagraph=20
style=3D"MARGIN-LEFT: 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2=
"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol"><SPAN style=3D"mso-list: Ignore">=C2=B7<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> &n=
bsp; =20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>Contributions by check that are sent through=20=
the=20
US mail should be directed to: </P>
<P class=3DMsoListParagraph=20
style=3D"MARGIN-LEFT: 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2=
"> =20
Rebuild and Grow/Iowa, P.O. Box 154, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52406</P>
<P class=3DMsoListParagraph=20
style=3D"MARGIN-LEFT: 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2=
"><STRONG> =20
</STRONG>Contributors should make a notation; <STRONG>Rebuild and=20
Grow/Iowa-Sohodojo</STRONG> on their check, or in the appropriate=20
designation field in the on-line donation forms with the internet based=20
services.</P>
<P class=3DMsoListParagraph=20
style=3D"MARGIN-LEFT: 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2=
"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol"><SPAN style=3D"mso-list: Ignore">=C2=B7<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> &n=
bsp; =20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>Anyone making a donation to <B>Rebuild and Grow </B>thr=
ough=20
Sohodojo will receive a receipt documenting the full tax deductible nature o=
f=20
the donation under the IRS 501 C-3- protocol.</P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal><STRONG>Rebuild and Grow </STRONG>looks forward to work=
ing=20
with all of you<STRONG> </STRONG>as we get busy with the challengi=
ng=20
and rewarding work of rebuilding and re-imagining Cedar Rapids and all the o=
ther=20
flood-ravaged cities, towns, and neighborhoods of Iowa. We believe our immed=
iate=20
work in Iowa to create an <STRONG>on-line community</STRONG>=20
<STRONG>communication platform</STRONG> to encourage and=20
organize disaster recovery volunteerism will become a model for disaste=
r=20
recovery in any community.</P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal>We especially appreciate the exciting opportunity to wo=
rk=20
with the <B>Beacon of Hope</B> organization in New Orleans. Through a=20
two-way relationship we will learn much from them to kick-start our program=20=
and=20
we, in turn, will provide feedback and technical/on-line innovations to exte=
nd=20
and enhance their established programs in New Orleans .</P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal><BR><FONT size=3D3><I style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: nor=
mal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-f=
ont-family: 'Times New Roman'">Without=20
vision a people will perish. </SPAN></I><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-f=
ont-family: 'Times New Roman'"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>=E2=80=93The Book of=20
Proverbs</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 5pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: center"=20
align=3Dcenter><FONT size=3D3><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-f=
ont-family: 'Times New Roman'"><STRONG>Neighborhood=20
Cohesion as a Key to </STRONG></SPAN></FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-f=
ont-family: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT=20
size=3D3><STRONG>Recovery and Renewal</STRONG> of the Community of Cedar=20
Rapids<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 5pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><U><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-f=
ont-family: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT=20
size=3D3></FONT></SPAN></U></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 5pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-f=
ont-family: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT=20
size=3D3>The central core neighborhoods that were hit hardest by the flood a=
re=20
Cedar Rapids=E2=80=99 oldest, historic neighborhoods. History is made in our=
everyday=20
lives, in the small places.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>C=
edar=20
Rapids grew up as a mill town, a regional industrial center.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Time Check, Taylor-Kingston, Czech=
=20
Village, Rompot and Oakhill-Jackson are working class neighborhoods that hav=
e=20
served Cedar Rapids for a century.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> =20
</SPAN>These are the hands that built this city.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>One aspect of these neighborhoods=20=
is=20
very strong community connectivity and inter-generational social fabric.<SPA=
N=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Many homes were built by grandfath=
ers,=20
handed down to parents and a third generation are now homeowners. These=20
neighborhoods have a much higher percentage of home owners than low income=20
neighborhoods in most cities. The flood struck a huge percentage of the=20
=E2=80=9Caffordable=E2=80=9D homes in Cedar Rapids.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacer=
un: yes"> =20
</SPAN>Some are now structurally unsound and some may be in extreme risk of=20
future flooding.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Individual h=
omes=20
may be demolished, <I style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: normal">but neighborhood=
s must=20
be preserved.<o:p></o:p></I></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 5pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-f=
ont-family: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT=20
size=3D3>We can take a novel approach to rebuilding Cedar Rapids if we are=20
conscious of the human and community aspect of the flooded neighborhoods.<SP=
AN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Fifty one per cent of the people f=
looded=20
out are over 60.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Many of the=20
residents were single moms, the working poor.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We can take all of these=20=
=E2=80=9Csocial=20
challenges=E2=80=9D and create <I style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: normal">inno=
vative social=20
solutions</I> by rebuilding neighborhoods intelligently.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 5pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-f=
ont-family: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT=20
size=3D3><SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN>Where affordable housing m=
eets the=20
bulldozer in the 100 year flood plain, a few blocks away on higher ground <I=
=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: normal">in the same neighborhood</I> we can bu=
ild <B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">inter-generational housing=20
clusters</B>.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Some buildings=20=
could=20
be constructed as <STRONG>inter-generational co-housing</STRONG>, where the=20=
more=20
elderly residents become a vital resource to provide on-site child care for=20
working moms and younger families can provide on-site care and support for=20
elderly neighbors.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><EM>We can=
=20
understand social challenges and create novel social solutions.</EM><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> <STRONG>As we rise up from this disaster,=
we=20
can build a stronger, better=20
community</STRONG><EM>.</EM></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 5pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-f=
ont-family: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT=20
size=3D3><SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">The <STRONG>community cohesion</S=
TRONG>=20
that we build to recover from this disaster will also be a very valuable=20
resource to solve our <STRONG>daily disasters</STRONG> of alcohol and d=
rug=20
abuse, poverty and despair, divorce and child neglect. All of these ar=
e=20
symptoms of a dysfunctional community. By necessity, we will build a=20
functional community to rebuild from the Flood of 2008. <STRONG>We wil=
l=20
all be better as a result.</STRONG></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal>As noted in the name of this organization, REBUILD AND=20=
GROW;=20
Our first objective is to recovery and rebuilding. If we pursue t=
his=20
process with intelligence and care, we can then GROW as a=20
community that is green and sustainable.</P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal>Before the Flood of 2008, Michael Richards=20
had founded Sustainable Ecological Economic Development S.E.E.D., an Io=
wa=20
not for profit education and research group. As author of=20
<STRONG>Sustainable Operating Systems</STRONG> (available at <A=20
title=3Dhttp://www.amazon.com/ href=3D"http://www.amazon.com/">www.amazon.co=
m</A>)=20
Michael Richards is a frequent speaker and conference leader at=20
universities and community conferences on building sustainable=20
communities. </P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal>The second annual <STRONG>S.E.E.D. Conference</STRONG>=20=
will=20
take place in fall of<STRONG> 2008 on October 24,25,26</STRONG>. </P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal>Our Conference Theme will be; <STRONG>Seeking=20
Sustainable Solutions as we recover from the Flood of '08.</STRONG></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal>The Annual S.E.E.D. conference will follow th=
e same=20
<STRONG>six educational tracks</STRONG> as the first annual conference, howe=
ver,=20
<EM>we will seek specific sustainable solutions for new community challenges=
=20
presented by the historic flood of 2008</EM>. </P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal>Track I: Sustainable Food, Health and Wellness<BR>Track=
II:=20
Integrating Shelter and the Environment: Community Ecotecture<BR>Track III;=20
Renewable Energy, Conservation, Efficient Transportation<BR>Track IV: Commun=
ity=20
Building, Education and Civic Action/Political Process<BR>Track V Ecological=
=20
Economic Development/Jobs for Seven Generations<BR>Track VI: A Moral, Religi=
ous,=20
Ethical and Philosophical Foundation for Land and Resource Stewardship in a=20
Sustainable Society.</P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal>You can review the S.E.E.D. Conference 2007 at this lin=
k;</P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal><A title=3Dhttp://www.resourcesforlife.com/groups/seed-=
iowa/=20
href=3D"http://www.resourcesforlife.com/groups/seed-iowa/">http://www.resour=
cesforlife.com/groups/seed-iowa/</A></P></DIV>
<DIV>For further background, here are links to the Richards' family personal=
=20
experience in the Flood of '08</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV><A=20
title=3Dhttp://www.nola.com/katrinaphotos/tp/gallery.ssf?cgi-bin/view_galler=
y.cgi/nola/view_gallery.ata?g_id=3D10406=20
href=3D"http://www.nola.com/katrinaphotos/tp/gallery.ssf?cgi-bin/view_galler=
y.cgi/nola/view_gallery.ata?g_id=3D10406">http://www.nola.com/katrinaphotos/=
tp/gallery.ssf?cgi-bin/view_gallery.cgi/nola/view_gallery.ata?g_id=3D10406</=
A></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV><A title=3Dhttp://www.vimeo.com/1328628?pg=3Dembed&sec=3D1328628=20
href=3D"http://www.vimeo.com/1328628?pg=3Dembed&sec=3D1328628">http://ww=
w.vimeo.com/1328628?pg=3Dembed&sec=3D1328628</A></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV> <A=20
title=3Dhttp://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=3Den-us&vid=3D5281c1f1-fe39-=
4668-8f57-ffcf41cc4ae8&fg=3Drss&from=3D34=20
href=3D"http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=3Den-us&vid=3D5281c1f1-fe39-=
4668-8f57-ffcf41cc4ae8&fg=3Drss&from=3D34"=20
target=3D_blank=20
rel=3Dnofollow>http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=3Den-us&vid=3D5281c1f=
1-fe39-4668-8f57-ffcf41cc4ae8&fg=3Drss&from=3D34</A></DIV></DIV></DI=
V></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV></DIV>
<DIV><BR>You are welcome to <STRONG>forward this e mail</STRONG> to every=20
volunteer group, funding source and media provider that you know=20
of. We need your help and love to rebuild Iowa after=
the=20
Flood of 2008. We will then in turn share our capacity that we build w=
ith=20
any location where a similar need arises. <EM> We are all in this=
=20
together.</EM></DIV>
<DIV align=3Dleft><EM></EM> </DIV>
<DIV=20
align=3Dleft><EM>  =
; Where=20
music and laughter once filled the air;</EM></DIV>
<DIV=20
align=3Dleft><EM>  =
; I=20
saw the great vacant ghost of a politician's stare.</EM></DIV>
<DIV align=3Dleft><EM><FONT size=3D1></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV=20
align=3Dleft><EM>  =
; In=20
the City that care forgot.</EM></DIV>
<DIV align=3Dleft><EM><FONT size=3D1></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV=20
align=3Dleft><EM>  =
; Today,=20
between the have and have nots, </EM></DIV>
<DIV=20
align=3Dleft><EM>  =
; Stand=20
the same miles or red tape that let bodies rot.</EM></DIV>
<DIV align=3Dleft><EM><FONT size=3D1></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV=20
align=3Dleft><EM>  =
; In=20
the City that care forgot.</EM></DIV>
<DIV align=3Dleft><EM><FONT size=3D1></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV=20
align=3Dleft> &nb=
sp; &=
nbsp; =20
<STRONG>-Dr. John, legendary New Orleans Musician</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV align=3Dleft><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV align=3Dleft>Call<STRONG> 319-213-2051</STRONG> or replay by e mail&nbs=
p;if=20
you are ready to get to work.</DIV>
<DIV align=3Dleft> </DIV>
<DIV align=3Dleft><STRONG>You can forward this e mail far and wide</STRONG><=
/DIV>
<DIV align=3Dleft> </DIV>
<DIV align=3Dleft>Neighbors helping Neighbors, New Orleans/Iowa Alliance;Dec=
isive=20
Plan of Action</DIV>
<DIV align=3Dleft> </DIV>
<DIV align=3Dleft> </DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV>
<DIV><BR><BR></DIV></DIV></FONT><BR><BR><BR><DIV><FONT style=3D"color: black=
; font: normal 10pt ARIAL, SAN-SERIF;"><HR style=3D"MARGIN-TOP: 10px">Lookin=
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