Americorps*NCCC Dedicated To Gulf Coast Recovery 

Release Date: June 1, 2006
Release Number: 1604-373

» More Information on Mississippi Hurricane Katrina

BILOXI, Miss. -- The pump operating the spray gun is humming in the background while Van Taylor, 24, completes the last step in gutting a Biloxi house damaged by Hurricane Katrina's flood waters. He's wearing coveralls and a full-face respirator for protection from the fumes of the paint that will seal the wood and keep the mold at bay. The protective gear is already stifling hot this late spring morning as the weather forecast promises temperatures above 90-degrees. As he steps outside the house for momentary relief, gnats swarm annoyingly near his face.

Taylor is excited about the day's work, because when he finishes in a few hours, the owner of the century-old house can make plans to move back in and rebuild her life. "To be able to help [hurricane victims] any way possible makes me feel good," he said.

Taylor, a Charleston, S.C., resident, is one of 1,600 members of AmeriCorps*NCCC or the National Civilian Community Corps who has dedicated months away from their homes to help the Gulf Coast recover from last fall's storms.

On Aug. 28, 2005, the day before Katrina pummeled the coast, 50 NCCC members were staged in Birmingham, Ala., with the American Red Cross. Two days after the storm, another 50 were deployed to the area. Since then, about 1,600 corps members have served more than 515,000 hours in Louisiana and Mississippi to help in the recovery process.

"We've had about 50-80 percent of the NCCC resources here on the ground since Katrina," said Heather Dirck, community relations specialist for the organization.

The services members provided, while partnering with voluntary organizations along the Gulf Coast since the storm, is valued by AmeriCorps*NCCC at more than $9 million. The organization has assisted more than 1.1 million people, by distributing 1,714 tons of food and 2,790 tons of clothing, serving one million meals, and refurbishing 1,529 homes.

Americorps*NCCC is modeled after the successful Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930s and the U.S. military. It is a full-time, team-based program for men and women ages 18-24, who commit to a 10-month deployment in communities served by five AmeriCorps*NCCC campuses throughout the United States. The organization, funded by the federal government, is part of the umbrella AmeriCorps, a network of local, state and national voluntary programs including VISTA; 70,000 Americans serve in AmeriCorps each year.

"Since 1994, when the NCCC was established, it has responded to every national disaster, including hurricanes," said Dirck. "The organization has the ability to respond quickly to disasters."

The NCCC responds to disasters through an inter-agency agreement with FEMA and an arrangement with the American Red Cross. Not only does the organization have the capability to respond quickly, all its members are certified in CPR, first aid and disaster response.

These trained members receive travel fare, room and board and a small living allowance in return for their services. At the end of a completed 10-month tour, AmeriCorps*NCCC gives each a $4,725 educational award to pay for upcoming tuition or a student loan.

Some members, like Bridget Murphy, 22, who is also from Charleston, and 24-year-old Robin McLaughry of Needham, Mass., signed up for two deployments or 20 months of duty. Both serve as team leaders working at the Transitional Recovery Office in Biloxi, coordinating people and projects.

"We focus on the big problems, but smaller things make the biggest difference for people," said Murphy.

Prospective corps members who want to make a difference have until July 15 to sign up for the next training classes and deployment. Visit www.americorps.gov/nccc for more information or call 1-800-942-2677.

FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

Last Modified: Thursday, 01-Jun-2006 11:16:59