GREAT NEWS! Our Katrina NBC Special to Air in 34 Cities!

GREAT NEWS: The NBC Katrina program broadcast, Coming Home: Hurricane Katrina 5 Years Later, featuring PDA & Project Homecoming will now be aired in 34 cities!  This special, filmed by PDA's award-winning videographer, David Barnhart, will feature PDA & Project Homecoming's work in New Orleans.  One of the focal points of the special is the story of Carol Jupiter, whose home you either worked on or contributed funds to last year.  Khandi Alexander, an actress featured in the HBO series, "Treme" will be the voice of the narrative in the special.

Because of the great number of requests for the show, NBC is also making the special available to affiliates on the Anniversary of Katrina (August 29). Not all of these stations will air it on that day, so consult the list of stations and times. A list of the NBC stations who have committed to airing the special is on our Facebook page under "Discussions."   If you are not on Facebook, send an email to christina.homecoming@gmail.com, and I will send you the list. If your local NBC station is not on this list you must have folks call your local affiliate to request it. Be sure to be very specific in your request, particularly asking for Horizon of the Spirit series program, Coming Home: Hurricane Katrina 5 Years Later.

Great job, everyone, in making this happen!

- Christina

Hard at work.

"The War Room":  Christina, Alex and Henry hard at work, ignoring the beautiful calming yard and hot tub in the background.

After our first full night of sleep, we are hard at work once again.  Today is all about preparation and networking, and we're pulling out all the stops with great results.  I woke up at 6:30 this morning and suddenly remembered that a high school friend of mine is a big time morning DJ at a Christian radio station in Columbus, OH.  What a coincidence ...  I am flying to Ohio on the 20th right after I leave California!  She has graciously agreed to get us a plug (and possibly an interview) on her show!  Catch her show online or check out their Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/1049TheRiverOh

http://www.1049theriver.com/

Thanks, Stacy McKay and 1049 The River!!!  You rock (Christian Rock, that is!  LOL) 

Alright, alright .... back to work!

- Christina

Cupertino, CA

After traveling the last 3 days from New Orleans to California, we finally got some well deserved rest in Cupertino, CA. While there is still plenty of work to be done, it's nice to know we don't have to hit the road again for another week. Today Alex gave a Minute For Mission at Sunnyvale Presbyterian where we will be doing our first presentation this Wednesday, August 11th. 

We also visited Roux Louisiana Kitchen in San Jose and met the manager Heather. She was extremely excited about the fundraiser. Alex's family immediately welcomed us as if we were part of their family, which I am deeply grateful for. They took us out for both lunch and dinner, and each Alex, Christina, and I received some fortune cookies that gave us some affirmation in our work. 

16 hours from Winslow, AZ to Cupertino, CA

It is truly remarkable to be here. Three days ago we were in New Orleans and now we are in Cupertino, California. Today we took a little detour and went to the Grand Canyon. It is truly an awesome sight; a great American treasure.

Before I became a Construction Assistant I didn’t know New Orleans was an American treasure- I didn’t know much about it at all. But now the city’s story is my passion. Telling the story of New Orleans and the flood are just as important a part of my job as building a house. I tell every week of volunteers “your job now is to take this story to your hometown.”

Alex leading a tour in the Lower Ninth Ward

Now I am blessed to be able to do just that. We have collectively told this story to over 3,000 volunteers, and if you let us we’ll tell it to another 3,000 more. The three of us have a deep love for the city and its people; it is our great passion for New Orleans that we want you to come see at a presentation. 

Thoughts From the Road

I was just thinking ('cause there's plenty of time for that in 15-hour drives) ...


            how incredible the past three years have been since I began volunteering with Project Homecoming. Volunteering really changes your view of how things work in the world. In the mind of society, the less money you make, the smaller your world becomes. And yet, since I arrived in New Orleans in September 2007, I have seen more of this country than in all of my 45 years! By the time this trip ends, I will have added about 13 states to my travel experiences. I have seen more amazing music than ever ... Stevie Wonder, Bonnie Raitt, Earth, Wind & Fire, Etta James, Lionel Richie, Patti Austin, Kirk Whalum & Gerald Albright, to name a few. More importantly, I have added dozens of angels to my list of closest friends. They are the incredible volunteers who come to help us rebuild each week.

Has it been difficult? Certainly, at times. And yet it seems the less material wealth I possess, the richer I grow in peace and love of life. You can't put a price tag on that. You could never write me a check that would give me the joy and satisfaction of telling a homeowner, "You can move in now!"

Carol Jupter celebrates with "The Construction Goddess" after seeing her nearly finished house.

Carol's story will be the focal point of the NBC special, "Coming Home:  Hurricane Katrina Five Years Later"

Call your local affiliate to request that it be aired in your area:  http://www.nbc.com/Local/
View the Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpZel8T13HA

This is why we do what we do.  It is why this crazy trip is under way.  It is why we have faith that our efforts will be successful and that we and others like us will be able to continue volunteering.  It is why we will sleep peacefully for the next few hours and for many nights to follow.

- Christina

Texas has ended.

We are in New Mexico! Exciting news: Roux, a restaurant in San Jose, has offered to donate a percentage of their earnings on Aug. 29th to our fund. More news to come.

Eight more hours to go before we put in for the night near the Grand Canyon. Good thing the time changes twice for us in our favor...

Texas, Never Ends...

After a lovely evening with the Fette family, we awoke to a hot breakfast and a great discussion about green construction. We are so grateful for their hospitality. By 9:30 we were back on the road.

Along the way, we shared our stories about how we each came to New Orleans (check back for that video later on!)

Now on a meal and blog stop (Thank God for WiFi McDonalds!) in Vernon, TX (Birthplace of Roy Orbison), we have learned this ... Texas is BIG. Texas is FLAT. There is oil (pronounced Earl) in TX. If you're ever in Vernon, stop at Mr. Jims for a half decent meal.