WHO: Rebuilding Together New Orleans and AARP

WHEN AND WHERE: the Hollygrove neighborhood of New Orleans, Monday – Tuesday, September 15 – 16, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

WHAT: Rebuilding Together New Orleans, a leader in the city’s post-hurricane renewal, will rehab the homes of 2 veterans and 1 disabled resident of the Hollygrove neighborhood on September 15 and 16. With the help of 40 volunteers from AARP’s Louisiana and DC offices and 9 Xavier students, Rebuilding Together New Orleans will improve the homes and lives of these 3 New Orleans natives.

Through the Livable Communities Initiative, AARP hopes to improve the accessibility of resources within a community to allow elderly homeowners to age in place comfortably. Rebuilding Together New Orleans is part of Rebuilding Together Inc., the national non-profit working to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize neighborhoods.

The Hollygrove residents who will receive assistance include James Johnson (8810 Stroelitz Street), a veteran who lives in a FEMA trailer; Charles Robinson (3121 Joliet Street), a veteran who is now in a wheelchair due to injuries sustained during Hurricane Katrina; and Alfred Thomas (8900 Apple Street), a partially blind and deaf former welder who also lives in a FEMA trailer.

Hollygrove is one Rebuilding Together New Orleans’ five target areas in the city ‘ the others are Broadmoor, Tremé, St. Roch, and Holy Cross – and this two day event will highlight the ongoing needs of the community as the organization continues to rebuild New Orleans. Rebuilding Together and AARP also partner in advocacy efforts to keep affordable housing within reach of the nation’s seniors and to make homes more accessible. Since Katrina, Rebuilding Together New Orleans has rehabilitated 113 homes belonging to elderly and/or disabled residents across the city and has more than 30 projects in progress.

About Rebuilding Together New Orleans

Rebuilding Together New Orleans is a local affiliate of Rebuilding Together which has restored and revitalized more than 100,000 homes over the past 20 years. Utilizing volunteer labor, Rebuilding Together allows low-income families in communities across the country to live in comfort, safety, and dignity.

About AARP

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization for people age 50 and over. AARP is dedicated to enhancing quality of life for all as we age. We lead positive social change and deliver value to members through information, advocacy and service.

Contacts:

RTNO, Camille Lopez, 504 636-3058.
AARP, Darryl Blacher, 225-376-1144.