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Gulf Coast Update Archive
October 2009
- Hurricane Katrina Fourth Anniversary
- Thrivent Lane
- Connor's Garden
- Family Bio
- Lead a trip. Build an entire community and life-long relationships
- Make an even bigger impact – donate today
- Send us your story!
- Gulf Coast Update Archive
Hurricane Katrina Fourth Anniversary
The end of August marked a poignant milestone in the lives of South Mississippians – August 29, 2009 commemorated the fourth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. It is hard to imagine the progress that South Mississippi has made in the past four years without picturing the groves of volunteers that have dedicated their time, their sweat, and their hearts to come build decent, affordable homes for families in need with Thrivent Builds Worldwide Gulf Coast Community. There is no sign of stopping for Thrivent Builds Worldwide Gulf Coast Community volunteers. As the leaves begin to turn and the temperatures begin to drop below 90 degrees here in South Mississippi, the number of Thrivent volunteers is on the rise.
Thrivent Lane
Thrivent Lane in Long Beach, MS has garnered the interests of many community stakeholders in surrounding communities. Local mayors and policymakers are intrigued and impressed by what Thrivent Builds and Habitat for Humanity of the MS Gulf Coast have accomplished in their unique partnership on Thrivent Lane. Thrivent Lane is the 2008 Thrivent Builds Worldwide Gulf Coast Community commitment that includes 28 homes in the Long Beach community. Currently, sixteen families are able to call Thrivent Lane home.
Connor's Garden
The Connor's Garden subdivision, part of Thrivent Builds 2009 commitment, is making headway. The 28 homes sponsored by Thrivent Builds will be completed by the end of the year. Half of the homes have already been issued certificates of occupancy, and four of those homes already have families lined up to live in them. The driveways are being poured and the sod is being laid on the completed houses. Connor's Garden is already beginning to feel like a community – a safe, decent, affordable place that people of the Mississippi Gulf Coast can call home.
On October 6, 2009, Habitat for Humanity of the Mississippi Gulf Coast is hosting its World Habitat Day celebration in the Connor's Garden subdivision. In 1985, the United Nations designated the first Monday of October as World Habitat Day as a day to remind the world of its collective responsibility for the future of the human habitat. Local officials, business leaders, Thrivent volunteers, and miscellaneous other volunteers will celebrate the day by building decent, affordable housing for the Gulf Coast community in Connor's Garden.
Family Bio
Lead a trip. Build an entire community and life-long relationships.
Thrivent Financial has committed millions of dollars to help rebuild entire neighborhoods in Gulf CoastOn behalf of its members, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans committed $2.5 million to Habitat for Humanity of the Mississippi Gulf Coast in 2008 to build up to 40 homes-nearly all in the Trace Lane community-and contribute to the affiliate's ability to serve more families. In 2009, Thrivent Financial built a new Community in Gulfport, Mississippi where it is committing an additional $1.7 million. And the work will continue in 2010!
Your enthusiasm and leadership skills are the catalyst to help your congregation, Lutheran group or local chapter of Thrivent Financial experience a life-changing trip. Take the lead and help build a home with a partner family in need of simple, decent, affordable housing.
- Learn more about becoming a team leader.
- Take advantage of the benefits of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans membership.
Make an even bigger impact – donate today
Through the Thrivent Builds Worldwide Gulf Coast Community program, Thrivent Financial members are helping families to rebuild their homes – and their lives – in the Missisippi Gulf Coast. But the need is still great:
- Only 15% of the homes along the Gulf Coast destroyed by Hurricanes Rita and Katrina have been rebuilt.
- Thousands of families are still living in unsafe, temporary housing.
- More than 100 families are in the pipeline, waiting for homes with Habitat for Humanity of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Send us your story!
Have you been part of a Thrivent Builds Worldwide Gulf Coast Community trip? Do you have stories or photos you'd like to share with others? Send them to Nicole Doebert for consideration in future issues of the Gulf Coast Update. We want YOU to share the experience and inspire others to help!
Gulf Coast Update Archive
If you would like to read previous issues of the Gulf Coast Update, simply access the Gulf Coast Update Archive from this link or from the left navigation bar.