[StBernard] LRA Progress Report - November 1, 2007

[Westley Annis]

LRA Progress Report - November 1, 2007

*	Emotional Wellness Program Launched for Hurricane Survivors 
*	Hornets Return to New Orleans
*	Acorns of Hope to Replace Trees Lost to Rita 
*	World Workplace Conference Attendees Volunteer in New Orleans 


Emotional Wellness Program Launched for Hurricane Survivors 

The Louisiana Recovery Corps, in coordination with the American Red Cross Hurricane Recovery Program, has launched a community-based emotional wellness program for those directly affected by the 2005 hurricanes. The Building Community Resilience program's goals are to help survivors rebound from the emotional toll that occurred during and after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and to provide activities to bring local communities together. Funded projects and organizations include: Children's Bureau of New Orleans, Diane's House Inc. and New Orleans Children Health Project to name a few. To view the press release from the Louisiana Recovery Corps visit:
http://www.recoverycorps.org/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&articleID=60 <http://www.recoverycorps.org/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&articleID=60>  

Hornets Return to New Orleans

The New Orleans' Hornets have returned to the New Orleans Arena full-time for the first time since Hurricane Katrina. In addition to the Hornets return to New Orleans, the National Basketball Association (NBA) announced a season-long, league-wide community service program aimed at supporting the rebuilding initiative in New Orleans. Early next year the NBA also plans to hold the 2008 All-Star Game in New Orleans, in an effort to attract more tourists to the city. To view the press release from the NBA visit: http://www.nba.com/news/cares_neworleans_071031.html?rss=true <http://www.nba.com/news/cares_neworleans_071031.html?rss=true>  

Acorns of Hope to Replace Trees Lost to Rita

Acorns of Hope, a tree planting and education initiative dedicated to replacing trees destroyed by Hurricane Rita, will hold a four-day, 250-mile bicycle tour November 17 - 20 to help restore ecosystems in Holmwood, Grand Chenier, Abbeville, New Iberia and Houma. For more information on the tour or to become an Acorns of Hope partner visit: http://www.bobstree.com/acorns.asp <http://www.bobstree.com/acorns.asp>  

World Workplace Conference Attendees Volunteer in New Orleans 

The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) World Workplace 2007 Conference and Expo brought approximately 5,000 attendees and nearly $6.5 million to New Orleans in October. In addition to three days of events bringing together the world's top industry leaders with educators and exhibitors to focus on the future of facility management and related fields, conference attendees also had the opportunity to participate in the IFMA's Volunteer Rebuild Project. Following the World Workplace, the IFMA recruited 130 volunteers to stay a day after the conference and offer their time and talent to help paint, clean and repair six fire stations damaged by Hurricane Katrina. To read the entire press release from the IFMA visit: http://www.ifma.org/daily_artic! les/?pg=110107 <http://www.ifma.org/daily_articles/?pg=110107>  

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated South Louisiana, claiming 1,464 lives, destroying more than 200,000 homes and 18,000 businesses. The Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) is the planning and coordinating body that was created in the aftermath of these storms by Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco to lead one of the most extensive rebuilding efforts in the world. The LRA is a 33-member body which is coordinating across jurisdictions, supporting community recovery and resurgence, ensuring integrity and effectiveness, and planning for the recovery and rebuilding of Louisiana. 

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