Campaign to Fight Poverty--The Trip

E-mail upon arrival to New Orleans
Thursday, November 20, 2008

Friends and Family:



Thanks to all of you who continue to support my efforts to address and help eradicate poverty. This evening, I traveled back to New Orleans, LA to do volunteer work in the Lower 9th Ward and other parts of the Hurricane-ravaged city. This trip is part of a larger, personal campaign to fight the issue of poverty – more specifically, the aim of this trip is to continue to build awareness (among family, friends, peers, etc) of the issues that remain prevalent in New Orleans post Hurricane Katrina – homelessness, starvation, joblessness, lack of healthcare and clean water. These issues continue to afflict many of the residents even years after the government hesitantly admitted its failure to respond in a timely manner. The struggles of these residents are even more personal to me because an inordinate amount of the afflicted citizens are African American.


Two years ago, in my first volunteer trip, my close friend Rod Garvin and I met Troy, a Lower 9th Ward Resident, who thanked us for hel ping rebuild his Ward. I never knew the conversation with him would serve as the impetus for me to continue to want to help rebuild New Orleans, and even more importantly do my part to help build an awareness of the unaddressed and neglected issues. Despite his personal gaffes, I commend Se nator John Edwards for making poverty and the rebuilding of New Orleans, the central theme of his presidential campaign. I’m optimistic that we can make progress on the national front to address poverty --the historic victory of Barack Obama has taught me that the unlikely remains possible, the improbable is not out of the question and the implausible is still achievable. I have HOPE that the universal issue of poverty and situations like New Orleans and the city in which I reside, Washington, DC, can be adequately addressed and ultimately eradicated.



1st Phase of Campaign to Fight Poverty:

Volunteering Quarterly in the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans & Locally in Washington, DC;

Build Awareness of the Issues to Family, Friends and Peers ;

Seek Collaborations with Local Organizations Who are Addressing Poverty

I ask for your continued support, conversation and prayers that I can make a difference in the life of someone who needs assistance. I remain humbled by your kind words and look forw ard to updating you on the trip and hopeful progress.

James I.