2004-10-18networknews

NeighborWorks® Network to Assist in Post-Hurricane Rebuilding
With a $1 Million Contribution From The Home Depot

October 18, 2004- Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation is distributing funds to NeighborWorks organizations to assist with the rebuilding effort following the recent string of hurricanes and severe storms in the South. The Home Depot committed $1 million to Neighborhood Reinvestment for NeighborWorks organizations involved in the recovery effort. In addition, Neighborhood Reinvestment is providing more than $300,000 in financial assistance, as well as technical support.

“Repair and recovery will take months for many residents affected by the hurricanes. The Home Depot’s generous donation will enable our NeighborWorks organizations to support the long-term recovery faced by so many families,” said Kenneth D. Wade, chief executive officer, Neighborhood Reinvestment.

“The Home Depot has worked hard to help our customers prepare for the recent weather emergencies, and now we are committing an unprecedented level of financial support, materials and people to help rebuild communities and lives,” said Bob Nardelli, chairman, president & CEO of The Home Depot. “We are proud to contribute a portion of our pre- and post-hurricane sales to the rebuilding efforts in the communities that we serve.”

Community Housing Partners, a NeighborWorks organization in Richmond, Virginia, is receiving assistance for repairing one of its multifamily properties, which had major damage from the record flooding in Richmond, August 30.

Located in Florida City, Florida, Centro Campesino Farmworker Center (Centro), will be receiving help with the rebuilding effort in south Florida counties devastated by Hurricanes Charley, Frances and Jeanne.

“This is an extremely challenging time for the residents in South Florida,” said Don Phoenix, Neighborhood Reinvestment’s Southern district director. “Our NeighborWorks network member, Centro Campesino, will focus on providing basic relief and housing repairs for the families in need. We are fully committed to the rebuilding of these communities.”

Steve Mainster, executive director of Centro, said Hundreds of farmworkers and other low-income rural families in south Florida have lost everything, their homes, their possessions, and security.”

Helping families who have limited income return to their homes is a priority for Centro. For example, The Espinoza family, farmworkers in Arcadia, resides in a small home that was hit by the eye of Hurricane Charley and received rain and winds from Hurricanes Jean and Frances. When I realized we were losing our roof from the strong winds,” Mr. Espinoza said, “I grabbed my wife, my children and my elderly uncle, and we ran from the house to a bus in a nearby field where we lived throughout the duration of the storms.”