The Lower 9th Ward Village is an accessible community hub that actualizes community driven programs connecting youth, elders, and community to create economic opportunities, self-advocate, and build community power towards self-sufficiency. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans and became America's most devastating disaster. The Lower 9th Ward was one of the hardest hit communities, where
the storm displaced almost all of its residents. Before Katrina, the Lower 9th Ward had the highest concentration of homeowners in the state of Louisiana. Today, 8 years past the storm, less than a third of the Lower 9th Ward community is back. For many people, the Lower 9th Ward is out of sight and out of mind while this community continues to struggle through issues like blight, contract fraud, food deserts, and other lack of infrastructure. The Village is a community center that was founded Ward "Mack" McClendon in 2007. McClendon used his life savings to establish the Village. After Katrina, he wanted to lease an old building a few blocks away from his old home to work on his antiques cars. However, he found a different vision and felt compelled to do something more for his community. Dew signed on to build a youth skate park inside the Village. Unfortunately, after building the skate park, they left our community center unfinished: they never finished the electrical wiring. The Village must bring the entire electrical system up to code (45) as mandated by the City so that we can re-open for community members to build their own methods of self sufficiency: job training, computer lab, commercial kitchen, recording studio, monthly town hall meetings, and youth programs. With the support and love from the thousands of volunteers and guests who have been touched by the Village over the past 7 years, we are confident that we can re-open our doors. We would greatly appreciate your support at this time in the following ways:
1.) Visit our fundraising site:
https://www.piggybackr.com/ward_mcclendon/lower-9th-ward-village-save-the-village-fundraiser
2.) Share with us your connection with the Village: https://tinyurl.com/friendsofvillage
3.) Share this page with your networks
4.) Come down to the Village and volunteer. Contact us at [email protected]
