Gulf Coast Civic Works Project ; Re-New Orleans

"We at Louisiana ACORN congratulate and support the efforts of our university partners as they assist us in rebuilding the Gulf Coast through their proposed Civic Works Program. Even as we struggle to return and rebuild our homes the promise of a student movement gives us strength and encouragement." Stephen Bradberry, Louisiana ACORN

Establishing a Student Movement Towards a Civic Works Project:

The Gulf Coast Civic Works Project is the national effort to develop federal legislation to create 100,000 jobs for Gulf Coast residents to rebuild their communities. During the Great Depression, when the United States faced a crisis, our country created 800,000 jobs in two weeks, and 4 million jobs in two months. These public workers built or repaired 2,500 hospitals, 6,000 schools, 13,000 playgrounds, and even built the Golden Gate Bridge. They also planted 3 billion trees.

A WPA-like program rebuilt our country in the 1930s; it can do the same today for the Gulf Coast. The parameters for the Gulf Coast Civic Works Project are the following:

• The civic work jobs will be in the areas of construction, plumbing, electrical, brick building, air conditioning, horticulture, etc.

• Paid apprenticeships will be provided to develop a skilled workforce to form a more stable middle-class.

• The civic work jobs will pay a living wage.

• The civic workers will have the right to join unions.

• The local Gulf Coast residents and displaced citizens will have the first opportunity for civic work jobs and training.

• The process to obtain a civic works job will be simple and streamlined.

• The local communities affected by Hurricane Katrina (as well as Hurricane Rita) will decide which structures will be given priority to rebuild. Some communities may focus on roads and Sewage & Water repair, while others focus on schools, hospitals, community centers, or parks.

• Modeled on the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)-A community led agency will oversee the Gulf Coast Civic Works Project. This TVA-like agency will ensure transparency so that the American public knows exactly where the money is going.

43 Colleges and Universities across the country have come together to work with ACORN and residents of the Gulf Coast to call on our government to do the American thing and take care of our own. To learn more about this project go to www.solvingpoverty.com