Common Ground Relief - Solidarity not Charity

Peoples' Festival Raises Funds, Roof

Fri, 09 May 2008 13:16:25 +0000

by Eugene Yacobson
Photos by Gordon Soderberg, New Orleans Voices For Peace

On May 2, far from the crowds and caravans of JazzFest, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Charter School in the Lower 9th Ward was filled with the sounds of brass, blues and general jubilation. The occasion was the 1st Annual Peoples’ Festival, organized by Common Ground Relief, and featuring such JazzFest heavy-hitters as Big Chief Victor Harris and Fi Yi Yi, the Rebirth Brass Band and Michael Franti with Spearhead – all playing free of charge.

Lasting for more than four hours, the festival raised both funds and spirits - $4,500 of the former (all in donations from attendees of the concert), the latter in quantities indefinable. But the occasion had an even deeper purpose than raising money for the Lower 9th’s rebuilding efforts: to reflect the spirit of a different side of New Orleans, and to demonstrate that, for all its post-Katrina troubles, the neighborhood is back.

The venue and performers were symbolic of the Peoples’ Festival’s intentions. The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Charter School for Science and Technology, which remains the only educational institution in the Lower 9th, was gutted and re-opened in 2006 by hundreds of volunteers defying open threats of arrest, becoming a nexus of hope for further grassroots rebuilding efforts.

Common Ground & EPCO: United To Serve The People

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:06:22 +0000

By Erica Boni

After Common Ground’s first wave of volunteers who stayed at 1800 Deslonde occurred last October, it became apparent that more bathrooms and showers would be necessary to accommodate future volunteers.

Sam Offenberg , CG’s former Volunteer Coordinator, and Director of Operations,Tom Pepper, talked with several contractors to determine the cost of the necessary renovations. It would also be imperative to obtain building permits and ensure that the construction work would be done to code.

Common Ground representatives met with EPCO Construction principles and determined that the quality of their work, plus an interest in partnering with Common Ground for its job training program, made the company a perfect fit.

Images from nearly three years of Recovery and Rebuild

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 23:05:21 +0000

Volunteers from Global Hope have been a constant source of support for Common Ground Relief and, in particular, the rebuild of the Lower Ward. Most recently, Global Hope has collaborated with Common Ground Relief to ensure the rebuilding of Reverend Adam's Church.

Common Ground Relief is incredibly grateful to Global Hope not just for their relentless support, but also for producing this short video, which charts two and half years of the volunteer recovery and rebuild effort in New Orleans.

Common Ground would further like to express gratitude for the sacrifices that these courageous and dedicated volunteers continue to make by engaging in these solidarity efforts. The global community benefits by people coming together, and working together to promote hope and civic responsibility.

Police Declare Sidewalk a Crime Scene; Five Arrested

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 11:55:42 +0000

By Maggie Barr

In a shocking turn of events on Tuesday, New Orleans Police declared the sidewalk in front of the St. Bernard Housing Development a crime scene and arrested five peaceful protesters.

The protest gathered some 50 residents and concerned citizens. At 9:00 am, Sharon Jasper, a St. Bernard resident, opened the protest with a prayer. A well-attended press conference followed. Police were in present when protesters marched to the Milton Street entrance gate chanting “Stop the demolition!” At 10:30, police standing across the street from the demonstrators shouted, “This is now a crime scene.” Arrests were made shortly following that declaration.

How Reverend Adams Got His Church Back

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 12:26:14 +0000

By Maggie Barr
Photo By Matt Schinske

Groundbreaking ceremonies were held the evening of March 5, 2008 at the site of the Holy Ground Baptist Church in the Lower 9th Ward. In attendance were Reverend Adams, congregation members, Common Ground Volunteers and 9th Ward residents. Also present were members of Global Hope, a Chicago-based non-profit organization and representatives of Deltec Homes of Asheville, NC, the company that initiated the rebuilding of the church. Deltec brought a busload of builders from around the country to the ceremony. Building is to commence shortly and is a sign of hope for many in the L9 community and throughout the country.

Community Contractor Finds Common Ground

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 02:52:10 +0000

By Maggie Barr

Following Katrina, brothers Randy and David Epperley of EPCO Construction called a family meeting. They were inspired to determine how best to use their 3rd generation family business to the benefit of their community. “The only people who can protect New Orleans are the people of New Orleans. There is so much rebuilding to be done that it’s possible to make money by doing the right things in the right way,” says brother Randy. After reaching consensus with friends, family and employees, EPCO began their search for community-based organizations taking initiative in the rebuilding process.

During a visit to the Lower 9th Ward, the pair met up with Malik Rahim, co founder of Common Ground Relief, an organization created in the immediate wake of Katrina to provide emergency staples and medical services to survivors. “Having a lot of experience with contractors operating in the area, we wanted to find out if EPCO was truly a quality company before starting to work with them to rebuild residents’ homes. There’s a lot of shoddy workmanship and shady deals going around right now, so we wanted to determine for ourselves whether or not EPCO was a company we could trust and recommend. We do trust them and highly recommend them,” explains Malik.

Saint Bernard Parish to Demolish Thousands of Homes

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 14:08:28 +0000

By Maggie Barr

New Orleans - February 19, 2008 – During the early afternoon of last Saturday, February 16th, residents of Saint Bernard Parish discovered red “X’s” stuck on the doors of their homes. Posted on hundreds of neighborhood homes by the Saint Bernard Parish government employees, the red “X” or “Notice and Order of Involuntary Demolition”, gives residents little hope of being able to reverse the condemnation status of their property.

Bordering on the north edge of New Orleans’ Lower 9th Ward, St Bernard Parrish is a mostly white working class and poor community.

The Notice and Order of Involuntary Demolition states that tagged properties are not in current compliance with “Minimum Housing Standards” and gives homeowners 10 days (not business days) to appeal the condemnation of their property. The accompanying “Notice of Condemnation”, which was also posted on some of the doors, states that filing an appeal does not in itself change the condemnation status, but merely gives the homeowner the right to a hearing, prior to demolition of the structure being officially ordered.

Common Ground and Carver High School On the Path Of A Budding Partnership

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 13:57:30 +0000

By Marcella Tillett

Riding in on the wave of a very well received previous visit, on January 23rd, Common Ground passed through Carver's gates once again. A couple of weeks earlier, when we entered those gates, it meant wading through a world of various shades of grey, from the cemented walkways to the muted trailers that make up the campus. This is the environment in which the Upper Ninth Ward's young minds are instructed to thrive, or at the very least, keep the order of the day. How many students imagined that Wednesday morning would bring a ray of light beaming down the walkways and shining throughout G. W. Carver High School. As volunteers from Hands On New Orleans splashed bright green, orange, red colors, built vibrant flowerbeds, etched musical images on the school's exterior, Common Ground worked on the inside engaging young minds in a dialog, encouraging them to challenge the status quo, and dare to change their reality.

Professor and Students Find Common Ground in New Orleans

Sun, 10 Feb 2008 20:02:45 +0000

By Sara Aboulafia

When Occidental College Professor of Political Science Caroline Heldman hopped in a truck with two students and drove 2000 miles from Los Angeles to New Orleans in 2005, she couldn’t have anticipated the number of times she would return. During her stay in the city her team did media coverage in the 7th ward and assisted with Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Working closely with both Occidental as well as Whittier College students – her former employer – students and teacher joined forces and in the summer of 2006 met in Café Flora on Royal Street to brainstorm ideas for a class that would address issues that came up during volunteer work.

ANITA RODDICK – A FRIEND OF DISTINCTION

Sun, 10 Feb 2008 02:57:34 +0000

I’ve had many days to reflect and to ruminate on the untimely departure of a “friend of distinction”. A friend of the planet; environmentally friendly: socially friendly: a friend to the downtrodden. She was also benevolently friendly. Anita was a friend of mine, and a friend to the Angola 3. I am here today as the only freed member of the Angola 3 to pay tribute and to participate in the memorial of my friend, our friend, a true friend of distinction who brought hope to so many even to Angola State Prison in America. When Anita heard of our collective plight in Angola and prisons throughout

1800 Grand Opening - Saturday 3pm

Sat, 09 Feb 2008 06:40:07 +0000

Saturday February 9th 2007

Krewe Du Vieux Brings Ridicule and Raunch to French Quarter, Happily

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 23:19:40 +0000

By Sara Aboulafia

Hundreds were lined up along the streets and balconies of the French Quarter when the Krewe du Vieux pulled through the night of Saturday, January 20th. Bawdy costumes and brass music made even the most sober onlooker (had there been one) feel tipsy, as the crude Krewe strutted their stuff, pulling their elaborate floats behind them. But lest the laymen and women assume that the annual Carnival parade is simply an ode to Bacchanalia, a little clarification should set everything straight (but not narrow).

The Krewe du Vieux is a large Krewe, an organization which puts on a parade for the Carnival season that leads up to Mardi Gras. It is made up of several Sub Krewes which each build a float, a creative variation on the larger theme, this year’s being a rendition of Beatles’ hits called The Magical Misery Tour. A googly-eyed jester loomed over the lead float of this year’s parade, grinning like Mad Magazine’s Alfred E. Neuman in the face of destitution, a plastic “Spermes’ White Album” sitting next to him with a giant phallus for the needle. Formed in the 1980’s, the Krewe is renowned not just for its dirty humor and camp, but for its searing political satire – the two, for the Krewe, go hand in hand.

Letter from Global Hope

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 22:50:55 +0000

Dear Malik, Thom, Mavis, Marina, Sharon and all the Folks at Common Ground Lower 9th,

Thank you all for the most wonderful experience! Partnering with Common Ground this past week has been so fulfilling. Our volunteer team was touched and inspired by what they encountered during this 5-day whirlwind. Each volunteer said they received more than they gave. The connection with the residents was particularly meaningful.

We are so proud of what we created together for the Cager family, Linda Jackson and her family, and Common Ground and its volunteers!

Thom, your absolute brilliance in organizing and integrating us with the local needs allowed us to be so successful. Your responsiveness and attention to detail allowed this to flow like a perfectly choreographed ballet (although at times it might not have appeared that way) >From the beginning, your responsiveness, clarity and project management skills have been impeccable and that caused us to be so impactful. Also, your sense of humor and tirelessness is contagious.

Mavis your welcoming spirit, shining light and generous hospitality set the tone for our trip. The light of your beautiful smile illuminated the dreary weather and carried us throughout. Also, all the work you did filming and documenting will be so valuable as we generate more resources for the future.

New American Media Conference: Promotes Unity, Collaboration, Communication

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 16:40:26 +0000

Promotes Unity, Collaboration, Communication

The following article was written in solidarity with Common Ground Collective about a recent conference in New Orleans where Common Ground's media and special events coordinator, Sakura Koné spoke on a panel. Common Ground Relief would like to offer our deep gratitude to Mr. Koné for his dedication to justice and enduring commitment to the people of New Orleans.

by Vernon Huffman

We can't trust the mainstream media to deliver the truth. Everything published by commercial sources is spun to serve the corporations who put profits before people. So where do we look for consistently reliable information about what's happening?

Linda Winslow: You are the Lucky Winner!

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 17:00:34 +0000

Congratulations Linda Winslow!

Ms. Winslow purchased the winning ticket (#9002609) for two round trip tickets to New Orleans, and accommodations in the French Quarter during Carnival season. Common Ground Relief thanks David Zimmerman, who donated the trip for this successful fundraiser, and all of those who purchased raffle tickets.

We look forward to your visit to the Crescent City, and hope you enjoy the festivities that only New Orleans can provide. During this Mardi Gras season, Common Ground Relief continues to work diligently in the rebuilding and advocacy for residents affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Common Ground depends on creative endeavors, like Mr. Zimmerman's donation and Ms. Winslow's participation in our raffle to keep our projects alive.