The St. Bernard Project has never worked on a home in the Jefferson Parish, and in the past 6 years has only focused on homes destroyed by Katrina. There are still so many families in need as result of the storm in August 2005. SBP hasn't had the money, volunteers, time, or management to work outside the realm of disaster recovery. But Miss Mary is an exception - her situation is very unique to any other homeowner within our organization.
Miss Mary Meyer, 74
Mary Meyer had to leave her home 9 months ago. Approximately half-an-inch of vermin feces covered her bedroom floors, her front door lock was broken, the walls had holes which became hallways to rats, and the roof was leaky. Someone in the Marrero community contacted the United Way and explained that Mary needed a new lock on her front door. The UW referred the St. Bernard Project to the problem, with neither organization realizing the severity of the situation. Upon inspection, it was determined that Miss Mary needed to move out immediately. The construction managers decided her home needed to be completely gutted, and rebuilt - people got to work. Unfortunately, approximately 3 months into reconstructing her home, it was discovered that the foundation had shifted and was no longer safe. All work ceased on Mary's home for a few months before a new foundation was built, inspections were passed, and we were again given the all-clear sign to get back into the house and start rebuilding.
Nearly every day that I've been to her house in the past 2 weeks, she has hobbled more than a mile with her walker from her apartment, to come see the progress of her house. Her bright red lipstick matches the red plastic coca-cola cup that she brings to the house after having stopped at a local dive for her daily 2 cokes.
Though her hair is white, her skin weathered, and her frame supported with a walker, Miss Mary is anything but meek. "I'm movin' in next month," she stated a few days ago. Well, we would love her to move in next month, but no promises can be made - the house will be done as soon as we get a steady group of volunteers to work on it. "Miss Mary, we'll get you moved in as soon as we can," I replied. She's never been one to just stick to the rules- it's become very obvious to me in the past 2 weeks. She's direct, and will tell you exactly what's on her mind. "Oh hell I'll just pull my mattress in. I'll just bring some clothes and put it 'em on the floor. As soon as you get my bedroom done." The thing is, she probably would, if she knew the combo to our lock.
Miss Mary has been blessed to have a great support group through her church, and a few neighbors. Someone has been footing the bill for her at the apartment complex for the elderly. I've heard that the church has been hanging onto what belongings she owns, and that they will be helping her to upkeep the place once she moves in. That's why we want to get her home as soon as possible. Everything's in place to move back, she has people to help her out, and she's lived in this home since she was twelve years old. She walks to her house EVERY DAY. People have said she'll come and sit on the steps and cry on days when we're not there. She deserves a safe, healthy, and comfortable home... and to be completed as quickly as possible.
On September 11th, a National Day of Service, I lead a fantastic group of girls from the Loyola University Chapter of Theta Phi Alpha. The ten of them tackled the 2 bedrooms and bathroom at Miss Mary's house. A few sheets of drywall were hung, and a ton of taping and mudding was completed. Miss Mary's bedroom, by the end of the day, was set for its last skim of mud, and the spare bedroom had the major gaps & imperfections in the drywall filled. The girls worked really quickly and efficiently, despite not having much mudding experience.
Some of the Theta Phi Alpha girls from Loyola University
I'm hoping to follow Miss Mary's house through to completion. Next weekend there will be a volunteer group of 10-15 whom will be working on her house, though I will be back home in Pittsburgh for the Standley/Burns wedding bash. The following weekend I'll be leading a group of skilled construction workers who are volunteering their time to work on Mary's house. And once hurricane season ends, we'll begin getting more and more volunteers coming down to help. So maybe, just maybe, Miss Mary will get her wish.
If you're interested in donating to the St. Bernard Project, please check out their website at http://www.stbernardproject.org/
