The Corps Network News, July 2007

Long-Term Recovery: One Corps at a Time
   Marsha Meeks Kelly , Executive Director,
   Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Services

This August will mark the two year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and the devastation it caused in my home state of Mississippi and the rest of the Gulf Coast.  While we are making good progress, the road to full recovery is a long one. 

As Director of the Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service, I have seen the impact of volunteers on the long-term recovery effort.  AmeriCorps members and other volunteers from across our great nation have played an integral role in the relief and long-term recovery efforts.  Increasing preparedness efforts and improving volunteer infrastructure on the ground is essential to mitigate against the impact of future disasters and speed up the recovery from Hurricane Katrina.

For the last year, The Corps Network’s Gulf Coast Recovery Corps (GCRC) has been an important component of recovery in Mississippi, especially in Hancock County.  Since the first crews deployed last fall, the GCRC has engaged 16 of our nation’s Service and Conservation Corps and nearly 250 young people.  The GCRC has partnered with existing organizations such as the Pearlington Recovery Center, the Kiln Library, Habitat for Humanity and KaBOOM!  This initiative of The Corps Network has been an outstanding program providing volunteers and help where it is needed most.  The month of June has been particularly exciting as more than 100 young people and staff have been working hard.  This represents the largest Corps deployment to the Gulf to date!

While we’re grateful for the work of Service and Conservation Corps coming to the Gulf to assist local residents, building local service infrastructure along the Gulf Coast is essential for long-term recovery.  With this in mind the Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service held a competitive grant process last year.  The Corps Network’s application to create a permanent Corps program in Mississippi was successful and the new Gulf Coast Conservation Corps (GCCC) will begin operations in October and carry on the work of the Gulf Coast Recovery Corps project.  The GCCC will work on some human needs projects, but really focus on conservation and environmental related recovery work.  GCCC will create a unique win-win situation, as all Corps do.  Local youth will be engaged in service helping both the youth and meeting community needs. 

Rebuilding the communities along the Gulf Coast will take years.  We have only begun to start the process.  Both the Gulf Coast Recovery Corps initiative and the permanent, local Gulf Coast Conservation Corps are important components of this recovery effort, but more help is needed.  As I have said before, please come to the Gulf and we will put you to work!  We need your help.  Nearly two years have passed and while we have made progress, we have not yet recovered. I would like to thank all the Corps and Corpsmembers who have served at the Gulf and encourage everyone to come down and help out. We promise to offer you the South’s warmest welcome!