I'd like to share an email I received from an Anacortes man who is helping rebuild homes in New Orleans. Vince Sellen tells the story of a young woman who needs more help than Vince & his wife can give. Here's his story:

"At 15 Winnie dropped out of school to get a job at the Hilton Hotel and start making money. Though she was young, she stayed with it for several yearsuntil a boyfriend introduced her to easy money, and the exciting street life of dealing drugs. For years she bounced back and forth between the life that seemed exciting and the life of real work. In her late 20’s she decided to go to trade school and gain more qualifications in the hospitality business.

"Winnie did well at this, and friends recognized that her job skills, unique history, and personality would make a really positive impact on the students at New Orleans’ Café Reconcile, a school that offers ‘street’ kids a chance to learn job skills. Winnie has worked with this program since before Hurricane Katrina and has developed an adjunct program that is currently targeting the small number of students who need more time and attention in order to achieve job placement. As an example, she was able to place a young man with the Hilton Hotel, and they were so impressed with him they sent him to culinary school in New York.

"Winnie purchased a small 18th century house just 2 weeks before Hurricane Katrina. She didn’t have insurance yet, so she was left without resources to repair the damage caused by wind and rain. Fortunately, her house was not in the flood zone, but the picture attached shows the extent of the damage. Vince, with other Acorn volunteers, has worked on her house to dismantle as much as they can. Now she needs help with the extensive rebuilding.

"Our goal is to raise $6,000, the estimated cost of replacing the termite-devoured joists in Winnie’s house that were discovered during preparation for repair. The historic nature of the house, and her efforts to help young people succeed, make saving her house important. Any amount you can give will be directed to Winnie’s house by ACORN."

If you wish to help, tax-deductible checks (that way we know donations go to THIS project) should be sent to:

The ACORN Institute c/o Darryl Durham,
1024 Elysian Fields, New Orleans, LA 70117.
Please put ACLA Rehab Acct. for 512 Philips St. on your check. Thank You!