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Before Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans and the Gulf Coast were populated with thousands of low-income people. They went about their lives, virtually unnoticed by the rest of America. Very few people save for the local Community Action Agencies that are helping them become self-sufficient, knew the daily challenges and obstacles they face.
That all changed when the hurricane blasted through the Gulf Coast and single-handedly catapulted poverty onto the national spotlight. Camera crews, photographers, and journalists from across the world camped out and captured images and stories of people stuck on rooftops, languishing at overcrowded convention centers, and wading through chest-deep, contaminated waters that were so horrific and shocking that virtually the entire country stopped what they were doing to focus on poverty.
There was outrage and anger, telethons, and fundraisers, and an enormous outpouring of offers to help hurricane victims get back on their feet after having suffered for days without food, water and shelter. The media coverage continued for weeks after. Newspapers ran column after column lamenting the part poverty played in the evacuation of the Gulf Coast. On cable news shows, elected officials lobbed verbal attacks at each other for the lack of response. And network affiliates told of the innovative ways local communities were helping the hurricane victims.
Then, as the holidays approached, the media attention subsided. Gone were the round-the-clock coverage, graphic photos, and heart-wenching articles. The media went back to covering stories about teenagers gone missing on spring break and the latest celebrity breakups. Community Action Agencies, however, were there long after the media packed up their lights, cameras and film. They were a significant part of the national relief efforts and responded with an outpouring of support and donations, and offers of help and shelter.
Community Action Agencies have continued to help the residents of the Gulf Coast months after the hurricane has all but faded from national attention because the devastation is so widespread and requires the type of commitment and dedication that Community Action Agencies have possessed for more than 40 years. Such commitment and dedication is not dictated by ratings or trends, it is born out of the promise of community action to help people and change lives.
The hurricane was probably the worst crisis experienced by all residents of the Gulf Coast, but it really took its toll on those living in poverty. They were the ones that did not have enough money to escape, or to rent a hotel room, or buy extra food for their children. This was what they faced in a major national disaster but many of them feel like the tide of economic uncertainty washes over them everyday, there are just no cameras present to capture it.
Community Action Agencies know this all too well. They witness the disparity of poverty daily in the faces of the 13 million Americans they help turn hope into reality. In fact, Community Action Agencies were there before the storm even hit, because they are always there to help people and change lives.
Green Hills Community Action Agency will be initiating various efforts this summer to engage people in helping to alleviate the causes and conditions of poverty in our communities. Nearly 12,000 individuals are in households earning below the poverty threshold in the nine Green Hills Counties. This is 14% of that population; well above the state of Missouri’s average of 11%.
Although Hurricane Katrina caused havoc and tragedy in the wake of the powerful storm, it has served as a reminder that we need to work together to end poverty. Sincerely,
Scott Long, Executive Director