Plum Orchard is an established neighborhood of African American homeowners. Residents of America Street describe their neighborhood as family oriented with many retired residents living on fixed incomes. The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita has been devastating. Three years after these storms, the majority of residents have been unable to return, violent and drug related crime has increased, and homes are largely uninhabitable.

Wider Circle members first met the McCall Family of America Street about 6 months after their neighborhood had been devastated by flooding. The family's home was one of approximately eleven homes the Wider Circle volunteers gutted and cleared under the direction of ACORN.

During that first trip in 2005, members of the McCall Family met and fed volunteers, starting a lasting relationship. Since that first introduction, Wider Circle recruited more volunteers organized a thrid trip.  Eleven persons donated their time and skills, in addition to paying for their own travel and expenses, and joined the McCalls to meet structural requirements necessary for renewing homeowners insurance.  Together we dug holes for footings, mixed and poured new concrete piers and footings, and placed jacks underneath a rebuilt sill to support the new height of the house.  In approximately ten days the home was raised over 12 inches, allowing for renewal of homeowners insurance.

The homeowners patiently waded through complex application processes and insurance claims. They eventually received partial insurance settlement and a grant through the Road Home program, one of the fortunate minority of families who have managed to access assistance through the program. They were able to contract for framing in the house, installing hurricane windows, electrical wiring, and rough plumbing.

Wider Circle organized two back-to-back volunteer trips in July of 2008, directing a total of 15 Wisconsin volunteers and 3 generations of the McCall Family. Later in August, 7 of us returned to finish up important details. The trip was cut short due to the Labor Day weekend evacuation for Hurricane Gustav. Together we did manage to: finish framing, drywall, interior paint, installation of bathroom fixtures, tiling, flooring, installation of kitchen cabinets and appliances, hang doors, and installation of attic ladder doors. Outside a side ramp was built to make the home accessible and a shed was put in for backyard storage.

The McCall Family anticipates moving in and having their FEMA trailer removed from their front yard September 2008.


Wider Circle New Orleans Project Goals
    1. Rebuild a family home, which was badly damaged by flooding from Hurricane Katrina
    2. Continue working directly with residents of the New Orleans East – Plum Orchard neighborhood, expanding outward from the corner of America and Ransom streets
    3. Assist in community rebuilding efforts and neighbors' attempts to return to their neighborhood