A wonderful experience!

Happy Times Update

Hi All,
Just wanted to share that I talked with Ms B. at Happy Times last night and she told me that everyone was doing well and had survived Gustav and the evacuation without any big problems. She also mentioned that every time she returns to NOLA after evacuating she is reminded how much she loves the city and that she will always come back to it. I told her I have a sense that many of us feel the same way.

join us at Heartland Cafe Sept. 11

hi friends - Trish and Brigid ("The Betty Fords") will be joining me for an acoustic evening of songs and fun at the Heartland Cafe on Thursday, Sept. 11, from 8-10 pm. Suggested donation is $7 per person and food and drink are plentiful. I have performed at the Heartland before and when I heard them during the NOLA trip I thought - wow~ They're great ~ I'll invite them to do a guest set. I hope a lot of you from the trip can come that night - let's call it a reunion!! Bring your photos, etc - and stories. Heartland Cafe is at 7000 N. Glenwood 1 block N of the Morse el stop. Free parking for cafe patrons is one block North on the W side of Glenwood. Hope to see you there!! Kristin/*

Pictures of progress

Relaxing after a hard day of work.
NLU's 2008 service team to NOLA: (back: Eunice Shapiro, Kennen Lems, Adrienne Waller, Karen Roth, Alex Schnitzer, Pam Kosinski, Tracey Lio, Kristin Lems. middle: Trish Difazio, Martina Smith, Helen Kelliher, Brigid Gallagher, Angela D'Agostino, Nina D'Agostino. front: Corbin Leafman, Robyn Kelton, Melissa Harris.)
Eunice and Bonita (one very happy office manager).

Central City Neighborhood.

Boxes and boxes of Books. Matt, Kindergarten teacher with Alex after a day's work.

Shelving the 1000's of books.
Brigid, Alex, Corbin and Pam preparing furniture.

KIPP Central City Academy courtyard.

KIPP Academy hallway.
June construction.
Courtyard construction.
2nd floor balcony looking at courtyard.

When I visited the KIPP Central City Academy site, on Thalia and Magnolia, in June, I saw a school building under heavy construction. I was surprised at the work that was still in progress when we arrived mid-August. The photos document the rebuilidng of the school building and the work of the team to get KIPP Central City Academy ready to open August 18, 2008.

I'm beyond grateful for this incredible experience. It is hard for me to put my thoughts into words at this time so I'll let some of my photos speak for me.

The lower 9th ward....3 years later.

More lower 9th ward.

Last day at KIPP.

One of the KIPP classrooms. (photo taken by Melissa)

Royal Castle

Royal Castle

Happy Times

Happy Times

Happy Times

Happy Times

During the past year I have traveled to New Orleans 4 times to work with schools and teachers rebuilding after the 2005 hurricane season, these trips have proven to be life changing experiences for me. Through our work in NOLA I have learned a great deal about politics, poverty, inequality in education, and advocacy. It is never a dull moment in NOLA, and this trip in particular came at a time in my life when I needed to be reminded of the power of hope, the process of recovery, and that lasting change is incremental—and at times, painfully slow. I feel very blessed to have been able to share this experience with all of you.

(Photo taken outside the House of Blues, New Orleans)