Helpful Links

Almost four years after Katrina, the great music halls of New Orleans, The Saenger and Orpheum theaters, lay empty. The federal funding promised to rebuild the city has not touched these great cathedrals of the arts, nor has it changed the lives of many of the the city's residents. Though the New Orleans population is growing, it remains at just 73 percent of what it was pre-Katrina. As of January, more than 2,500 FEMA trailers were still being used as temporary housing by Gulf Coast residents and the homeless population of New Orleans tops 12,000, making it the number one city for homelessness in America. Though President Obama extended the work of the Office of Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding, he's recently come under criticism from some who think his $787 billion stimulus package lacks appropriate funds for the still-struggling region.

Perhaps the only bright spot in the midst of this tragedy has been the grassroots effort to help; organizations like Katrina's Angels, The New Orleans Hope and Heritage Project, The Network For Good, and Make It Right Nola are among those working to rebuild in the Delta. Fats Domino, legendary bluesman and lifelong ninth ward resident who was rescued from his home after the hurricane, is joining other artists in donating proceeds from his album Alive and Kickin' to the Tipitina's Foundation, dedicated to preserving and restoring the musical culture of New Orleans.

With so much left to do, where can we begin? You can start with the facts. Get acquainted with the Katrina timeline – taking you from August 29, 2005, the day the levees broke, to the September 12 resignation of the director of FEMA and beyond – and what Hurricane Katrina has meant for the Gulf Coast economy, which is now experiencing slow growth due to the investments of rebuilding. Head here for current legislation on post-Katrina efforts, and get information about volunteering in the rebuilding effort here.

Want more information? Check out these websites:

• Gulfcoastnews.com/ – This site, created in 1998, provides the latest news about the Gulf Coast.
• HeavenlyHousing.org/ – Heavenly Housing provides a place for volunteers to stay while helping rebuild devastated areas, including the Gulf Coast region.
• FEMA.gov – Get the latest updates from FEMA surrounding progress and recovery from Hurricane Katrina.
• OxFamAmerica.org – Oxfam’s Gulf Coast recovery program has grown into a $12 billion rebuilding effort.
• NOLABusinessResourceGuide.org/ – This site boasts a small business resource guide to help businesses come back to New Orleans.
• LungUSA.org – Resources for hurricane victims and the lung conditions that may exist post-Katrina.
• ArtForMusic.org – The site for musicians displaced by Hurricane Katrina.
• NHI.org – The National Housing Institute supports affordable housing for all and includes resources for hurricane victims.