Fifteen years ago today, Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast and caused catastrophic damage in New Orleans, Louisiana. With wind speeds as high as 120 miles per hour, Katrina decimated the area leaving 80% of the city submerged in water. While tens of thousands of people fled the area before the storm, many stayed behind. Those who were forced to wait out the hurricane were disproportionately low-income, elderly, unable to access transportation or incarcerated. Around 400,000 people were permanently displaced.
This week, as Hurricane Laura swept through Louisiana, the community was reminded of the devastation they witnessed years ago. Natural disasters can have life-altering implications and create immense barriers to survival. For individuals who are formerly incarcerated, damage such as this further exacerbates challenges with reentry, particularly when it comes to housing.
We are pleased to announce that today is the official grand opening of Hope House NOLA in New Orleans!
The LOHM partnered with Operation Restoration, a New Orleans based organization that supports women and girls impacted by incarceration to recognize their full potential, restore their lives, and discover new possibilities. Together, we are providing system impacted women and girls with safe housing and opportunities.
In anticipation of the Hope House NOLA launch, The LOHM hosted the second addition of our Rewriting Her Story Series, Rewriting Reentry. During this virtual event, panelists shared their personal experiences with reentry and explained what comprehensive reintegration looks like, demonstrated through The Ladies of Hope Ministries H.O.P.E. Scale Model, which is implemented in the organization’s co-living Hope Houses.
Thank you to those who registered for the event. If you missed the airing, it's not too late to view the panel and learn more about reentry.
We all have a role to play in changing the narrative for system impacted people!
