Build Your Own Opportunities

OUR MISSION IS TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES TO REBUILD FOLLOWING A DISASTER, TO HELP NAVIGATE RECOVERY PLANS FOR THOSE AFFECTED, STRENGTHEN OUR PLANNING AND PREPARATION FOR FUTURE DISASTERS AND EMPOWER PEOPLE ORGANIZING TO DRAMATICALLY IMPROVE LIFE IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

DISASTER RESPONSE AND LONG TERM RECOVERY - CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES AND CLIENT ADVOCACY TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHO DO NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO RECOVER FROM DISASTERS ON THEIR OWN. DIRECT ASSISTANCE GIVIN TO INDIVIDUALS FOR REPAIR, REHABILITATION OR REPLACEMENT OF STORM DAMAGED HOUSING AND FURNISHINGS, REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF FISHING BOATS, FISHING RELATED EQUIPMENT, AND SUPPLIES, MEDICAL CARE, ASSISTANCE WITH RENT, HOUSING COSTS, UTILITIES AND OTHER NEEDS FOR QUALIFIED RECIPIENTS. ASSISTED APPROXIMATELY 1,500 FAMILIES AFFECTED BY HURRICANES, FLOODS, THE BP OIL SPILL AND OTHER DISASTERS BOTH NATURAL AND MAN-MADE. THE CASE MANAGEMENT AND APPEALS SERVICES YIELDED APPROXIMATELY $3,000,000 IN GRANTS AND OTHER ASSISTANCE DIRECTLY TO CLIENTS FROM VARIOUS AGENCIES.

LIFT HOUSE PROGRAM - THIS PILOT PROJECT WHICH CONSISTS INTEREST FREE LOANS AND GRANTS TO HOMEOWNERS IN FLOOD PRONE AREAS OF TERREBONNE PARISH TO DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT 5 HOMES THAT CAN WITHSTAND CATEGORY 5 HURRICANE FORCE WINDS CONSTRUCTED ON FIVE DIFFERENT BAYOU COMMUNITIES HAS MULTI-FACETED GOALS:1. REPLACEMENT OF DESTROYED HOMES FOR LOW-TO-MODERATE INCOME FAMILIES THAT COULD NOT AFFORD TO REBUILD WITHOUT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.2. HOMES ARE DESIGNED AND BUILT TO COMPLY WITH INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE REQUIREMENTS FOR COASTAL ZONE CONSTRUCTION WHICH INCLUDES ELEVATIONS OF AN AVERAGE OF 10 14FT ABOVE SEA LEVEL.3. HOMES ARE ENERGY EFFICIENT TO HELP REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND LOWER MONTHLY UTILITY EXPENSES.4. HOMES WILL SERVE AS A MODEL OF AFFORDABLE SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION.LOAN RECIPIENTS PROMISE TO REPAY THE LOANS FROM ANY HAZARD MITIGATION GRANT FUNDS THEY RECEIVE. ANY LOAN BALANCE NOT COVERED BY THE HAZARD MITIGATION GRANT BEARS INTEREST AT 0%, BUT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE REPAID UNLESS THE HOMEOWNER SELLS, RENTS OR DONATES THE HOME. IF THE HOMEOWNER REMAINS LIVING IN THE RESIDENCE FOR 5 YEARS FROM THE DATE OF THE NOTE, THE BALANCE OF THE LOAN IS FORGIVEN.

CAMPAIGN STORM SAFE LOUISIANA - PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN REGARDING DISASTER PREPAREDNESS. PROGRAM INCLUDES PUBLICATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF DISASTER PREPAREDNESS GUIDES THROUGHOUT TERREBONNE, LAFOURCHE, ST. MARY AND ST. MARTIN PARISHES TO STRENGTHEN PLANNING AND PREPARATION FOR FUTURE DISASTERS.