CAN-DO Proposal: Community Revitalization Centers

CAN-DO arrived on the Gulf Coast on Sept, 3rd. 2005. In the weeks and months that followed Hurricane Katrina, it became abundantly clear that hundreds of thousands of Katrina survivors were quickly becoming victims to the chaos that followed. It was only because of the extraordinary efforts of ordinary people that communities were served, and survived. Individuals from around the nation flocked to the region, with church groups, small grassroots or on their own. As a small non-profit, we worked with people from all backgrounds. As we focused on triaging the damage caused by Katrina we began to realize that numerous resources were going unused, and entire communities were being ignored.

As we built our network with local, state and federal agencies, and connected them with the needs of their communities we realized the problem was prevalent in the entire Gulf coastal region. Further, as short term needs (food water clothing) were fulfilled, survivors and aid workers looked to move to the next step- but no solution was forthcoming. In fact, the federal government it seemed had no solution for meeting the mid or long-term needs of survivors who had lost their homes and community.

This led us to create a structured plan to any natural disaster that would provide organized response to both short, mid and long term needs of a community with the ability to evolve over time as the community heals. Our plan for Community Revitalization Centers (or CRCs) recognizes the need for a central physical location to provide nourishment, shelter and accurate information to a community in the aftermath of a natural disaster. In addition, our CRC's provide a positive center from which a community can rebuild and become self sufficient, thus reducing dependence on outside aid.

Our proposal has received the support of Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour and First Lady Marsha Barbour and been passed through the offices of President Clinton, FEMA, MEMA and heads of federal, state and local agencies throughout the Gulf Coast and Washington DC. CAN-DO's proposal for CRC's have been followed as a blueprint in Mississippi and Louisiana. Our concept has been emulated in both political arenas, as well as in the relief world as a solution to disaster worldwide.

CAN-DO ORIGINAL EXECUTIVE PROPOSAL FOR COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION CENTERS (CRC's)
Submitted September 4th, 2005

Proposal for C.B. Murphy Community Revitalization Center (CRC)
Presented by: Bob Putnam, Director, CAN-DO Gulf Coast Operations

PROPOSAL FOR DUKATE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (CRC)
Submitted September 20th, 2005