All Eyes on Louisiana
We should be talking about this.
Though our current volume series is Defining Joy, we cannot ignore heartbreak, the flip side of that coin. Not when Hurricane Ida came to Louisiana’s shores and left behind heartbreak six days ago.
We should care about this.
New Orleans, Baton Rouge… you know, the cities where you go to get your life. To roam the city, playfully indulge (or overindulge), and return home renewed and refreshed. The residents of these cities cannot roam their city, or leave their homes right now. They face a forever-changed life.
We must care about this.
People love a redemption story, the knocked-down-seven-times-stood-up-eight narrative. We expect our protagonists to dig deep, find the strength and employ the resources to rebuild their life and emerge victoriously. Louisiana has rebounded and rebuilt at least three times in recent memory and many more before that.
At UpRising, we do believe that this great state, these incredible cities, and these beautiful people who have given us all so much will face this challenge and rise above it. The heartbreak is that they have to. Again.
During the lockdown, there was a meme going around that simply said, “check on your strong friend.” Louisiana is that strong friend.
Below are a few ways how you show up for her.
RESOURCES
CULTURE AID NOLA: Culture Aid's mission is to serve the culture of New Orleans by directing no-barrier, no-stigma aid to underserved members of the hospitality and cultural community, and to do it with dignity, grace, and hospitality. Their team is on the ground now in New Orleans providing relief by feeding the community. Donate to Culture Aid's Hurricane Ida Response program here.
FEED THE SECOND LINE: Feed the Second Line has worked throughout the pandemic to buy and deliver groceries and meals to New Orleans culture bearers. Now they are putting together a crew to repair roofs to ensure that damaged homes don’t experience any further weather damage in the days ahead. Donate to their Ida efforts here.
IMAGINE WATERWORKS: Imagine WaterWorks leads the Mutual Aid Response Network, a group of Louisiana residents that activates during floods, storms, and other natural and manmade disasters. Its Hurricane Ida Relief & Recovery fund will support relief and recovery efforts — led by locals — in the wake of Hurricane Ida. Its Facebook page allows members to post offers, requests, resources, and action. Donate to their Ida response program here.
LOWERNINE.ORG: Lower Nine is a local non-profit dedicated to the long-term recovery of New Orleans’s Lower Ninth Ward from Hurricane Katrina. Now, they are springing into action to help the victims of Ida recover and take refuge. Their continued efforts will go beyond these next few weeks and create sustainable change and progress in Louisiana long after the immediate tragedy of Ida. Donate to the Lower Nine Hurricane Ida relief fund here.
PROJECT HOPE: Project Hope has been helping the Louisiana area since Hurricane Katrina. The organization is sending 11 volunteers to Louisiana and will also give out 8,000 hygiene kits, which include shampoo, soap, a toothbrush, deodorant, washcloth and a first-aid kit. The group will also give out N95 masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among rescue efforts. Donate to Project Hope here.
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