PSL Recovery

Homeowner on the news

admin — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:41:27 +0000

Homeowner Myrtle is featured in this clip from ABC Channel 26 news: Watch.

Homes for Christmas

admin — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 21:00:31 +0000

It has been four years since Hurricane Katrina, and there are many who are still struggling to rebuild their lives and their homes. In response to this, Project Homecoming is working hard to complete 5 more homes before the holidays as so that the families we are helping can finally celebrate Christmas in their own homes. We need financial resources to do this.

We rejoice in the assistance that has been provided this year by 1,342 volunteers who worked on home construction with Project Homecoming. These volunteers logged over 52,000 hours and made it possible for us to complete the rebuild of 28 houses and to start 10 more. Very few organizations in New Orleans have been as successful as Project Homecoming in making a direct impact on residents’ lives, and we can’t do this important work without the resources collected in the “Homes for Christmas” campaign.

With your donation, you will support Project Homecoming’s mission of rebuilding homes across New Orleans by helping us purchase needed construction materials. These materials will enable our volunteers to give the gift of their time and spirit to reshape the lives of homeowners in the city. Contributions should be made payable to “Presbytery of South Louisiana” with a notation “Homes for Christmas” and sent to: Project Homecoming, 3700 Gentilly Blvd, New Orleans, LA, 70122.

The need for our work in New Orleans remains as strong as ever. There are still an estimated 1,500 families living in FEMA trailers and over 6,000 additional people who have been unable to rebuild and return home, because they lack the resources. Your donation helps us help them.

For more information about the “Homes for Christmas” campaign, please visit our website at ProjectHomecoming.net or call Vann Joines at (504) 942-0444, extension 232. You can also connect with us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Project-Homecoming/221095740475.

During this advent season, we give thanks for the many ways that God has been at work in the recovery efforts, for the many blessings that have been bestowed on the ministry of Project Homecoming, and for the many opportunities that exist for serving Christ in this time and in this place. Thank you for your partnership in this ministry of love, hope, and restoration.

Sincerely,
Jean Marie Peacock
Associate Presbyter for Disaster Recovery and Congregational Development, Presbytery of South Louisiana
and Executive Director, Project Homecoming

Ways to help:

1. Conduct a “Homes for Christmas” campaign at your local church
2. Include Project Homecoming as a regular mission of your church
3. Organize a trip to New Orleans help us rebuild
4. Volunteer with Project Homecoming

PDA and Project Homecoming bright spot on local news

admin — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:27:52 +0000

Watch to see PDA and Project Homecoming mentioned in this WWLTV Channel 4 news report on blight in New Orleans.
Action Report: Abandoned home causes frustrations in Lower 9th Ward

Youth and family weeks in 2010

admin — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 17:06:38 +0000

The minimum age for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance volunteer villages is normally 16. For the following weeks, the minimum age will be 14:

Family Week – June 21 – 25, 2010. At Olive Tree in New Orleans, working with Project Homecoming.
Youth Weeks – June 28 – July 2, 2010 and July 5 – 9, 2010. At The Good Earth in Houma.

For reservations at both places call PDA at (866) 732-6121 or register online. You can visit the PDA youth weeks page for more information.

Hiring Construction Manager in Slidell

admin — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 23:10:53 +0000

Kevin Krejci, who was the construction manager at Presbyterian Community Outreach in Slidell, has been hired as Operations Director for Project Homecoming in New Orleans. Now we need a new construction manager! Here is a link to the job posting:

http://neworleans.craigslist.org/trd/1387577746.html

Hiring Operations Director in New Orleans

admin — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:37:59 +0000

Overview: This full-time position manages all day to day operations of Project Homecoming, a non-profit rebuilding initiative of the Presbytery of South Louisiana. This is a staff position of the Presbytery of South Louisiana, supervised by the Associate Presbyter (Pro Tem). This position provides leadership in seeing that the operations of Project Homecoming run efficiently and effectively toward the shared vision we are growing into:

Project Homecoming is a faith-based community development organization building resilient neighborhoods in the greater New Orleans area. We are committed to facilitating a culture of care in targeted communities through: safe, durable, affordable and environmentally sensitive construction; community driven partnerships; service and fellowship.

The Operations Director supervises and works collaboratively with construction, warehouse, intake, and volunteer coordination staff and long term volunteers (currently 15 people).
A detailed job description outlining responsibilities of administration, project management, and financial oversight can be downloaded in pdf format.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree in social sciences, management or other relevant field. Master’s preferred.
At least 5 years construction management experience; general contractor license preferred or willingness to pursue and acquire contractor license.
Experience in program administration, management and staff supervision.
Excellent organizational skills.
Communicates well both written and verbally. Strong in conflict resolution, is a problem-solver, enjoys working collaboratively, fosters a team approach.
Ability to work well with a variety of people and volunteers in a faith-based organization that witnesses to God’s love and grace.
Able to build networks and relationships across individuals, churches, social service groups.
Experience in volunteer management preferred.
Self-directed, resourceful, flexible, dependable, honest, able to handle paperwork and work with a database.
Previous experience working in a non-profit organization preferred.
Loves New Orleans.

Compensation/Benefits: Salary in the $50,000 range. Medical insurance, 2 weeks paid vacation, and paid holidays (as outlined in the presbytery personnel manual).

Please send cover letter and resume by September 9 to jobs@pslrecovery.org. Preferred start date September 21 (negotiable). Direct any questions to jobs@pslrecovery.org or (504) 942-0401×221.

See this ad on Craigslist.

Jean Marie Peacock speaks to Gathering

admin — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 22:46:31 +0000

Jean Marie Peacock is the Associate Presbyter (Pro Tem) for Congregational Development and Disaster Recovery for the Presbytery of South Louisiana. Her speech on July 12 at the 2009 triennial gathering of Presbyterian Women lifted up the long term recovery work of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA).

Read the article from Presbyterian News Service.

Job Posting: Accounting/Office Assistance

admin — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 22:11:42 +0000

This is a full-time position which supports the disaster recovery ministries of the Presbytery of South Louisiana, Presbyterian Church (USA). The position is based in the New Orleans office. Responsibilities include: maintain financial records, code and enter bills for payment, track invoices, reconcile charge accounts, maintain accounting files, prepare for audit, maintain personnel files, provide support for payroll and insurance claims, and maintain inventory of assets/property. We are seeking someone with an accounting and/or business degree or equivalent experience with the ability to manage multiple projects efficiently. Knowledge of accounting or financial management with internal controls is also needed. Must be proficient in Peachtree accounting and Microsoft Office. Salary: $35,000/year, benefits include medical and dental insurance, death and disability insurance, and paid vacation, holiday and sick leave as outlined in the presbytery personnel manual. A full job description is available upon request.

Send resume and cover letter by Wednesday, July 1 to: jobs@pslrecovery.org. Call 504-942-0401 with questions.

Slice of South Louisiana on Presbyterian News Service

admin — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 18:34:06 +0000

Our work in disaster recovery brings to light a diversity of people and places affected by major recent storms and land loss.

Read the full story by Bethany Furkin of Presbyterian News Service:
Survivor: southern Louisiana edition
Atakapa-Ishak villagers are determined to preserve indigenous way of life

Lake Charles Village needs Village Manager

admin — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 21:38:13 +0000

Contact Presbyterian Disaster Assistance to apply if you can volunteer to serve for two months or more. The job description and application are on the PDA web site.