By Kelly Nowlin, Surdna Board of Directors
October 2011
Surdna's New Orleans Fund seeks to advance New Orleans long-term rebuilding and resiliency efforts by supporting civic engagement in multiple issue areas, including economic development, education, arts and culture, coastal restoration, and worker's rights. The fund is overseen by staff from across our program areas in partnership with a liaison from our board of directors. From time to time board liaisons travel with staff to New Orleans to meet with grantees, thought partners, and colleagues in the city. Kelly Nowlin recently completed her first year as liaison to the New Orleans Fund and traveled to the city last spring for her first taste of its irrepressible spirit. Kelly reflects on her time in New Orleans in the commentary that follows.
I had never been to New Orleans before. As the current board liaison to Surdna's New Orleans Fund, I had the great opportunity to make this trek last April with a group of program staff. After meeting with over thirty people from ten different organizations in just two days, I was left with a mix of sadness, hope and true admiration. Sadness for those families that never returned or who still struggle to rebuild their lives. Sadness for the hundreds of lost cypress trees in the bayou. Sadness for the disappearance of coastal wildlife and for the distressed environment. At the same time, a strong feeling of hope lingered. Why? Because of the neighborhoods. There is a bond like no other that exists in these communities that is palpable. Organizations such as the Lower 9th Ward Center for Sustainable Engagement and Development (CSED) put the power of those bonds to work by engaging local residents in processes that, with critical work by other Coalition members, reach up to the state legislature and seek to protect and restore the neighborhood and coastline. Because of the youth. There are groups like the Juvenile Justice Project of Louisiana, Vietnamese American Young Leaders Association (VAYLA), Rethink New Orleans, and the Fyre Youth Squad, all members of the Power of a Million Minds (POMM) youth organizing collaborative, who are developing relationships with city officials to ensure they have a voice in rebuilding their future. Because of the leaders. There are community and nonprofit leaders across the city who continue to persevere with limited resources, their unyielding commitment stemming simply from passion and strength of will. The people of New Orleans are special.
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