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Our Mission: To Improve the Overall Quality of Life
in the 75-Block
Area Known as the Upper Ninth Ward
Baptist Crossroads Foundation feels that God established us prior to
the storm to enable us to be ready to go to work in a quick and efficient
manner. In our post-Katrina world, the work has only just begun. God
has given us a new vision and calling:
“When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on
them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a
shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest is
plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the
harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.’”
~
Matthew
9:36-38
The block on which we have chosen to place the Baptist Crossroads homes
is located in the center of the Upper 9th Ward. The thirty homes constructed by Baptist Crossroads
to date have transformed one block in the Upper 9th; however, that one
block is surrounded by over 100,000 homes severely damaged by the floodwaters
of Hurricane Katrina.
While it is impossible for the Baptist Crossroads Foundation
to tackle the resolution of the problems associated with
the recovery of all homes in Orleans Parish, we know we are capable of
making a significant difference in the Upper 9th Ward. We are focusing our efforts on
the seventy-five (75) block area (approximately 1,500 home sites) that
surround the Baptist Crossroads homes constructed in 2006. In summary,
our plan is to touch all 1,500 property owners and lend assistance in
their individual recovery efforts. Our goal is that in five years
all 1,500 lots in the Upper 9th Ward will be “improved.” “Improved” may
be a new home, a renovated home, or a well-maintained vacant lot (void
of a decaying structure). The target area is shown below (bounded
by N. Robertson Ave., Montegut St., N. Miro St., and Poland Ave).
Our approach in improving 300 units per year will be divided into two
groups – secure funding and coordinate the volunteer workforce for
the construction of sixty (60) Habitat for Humanity units (20%) and offer
technical support (through assistance in permitting, contracting, etc.)
for two hundred forty (240) units (80%) per year. We are in the
process of securing funding for the three-hundred units we plan to construct
and are in the process of coordinating the teams of construction volunteers.
Volunteer for any one of the many volunteer opportunities
@ www.baptistcrossroads.org |
