Three hurricanes left her without a home. Endeavors helped her find a new one.
Hurricanes have battered Louisiana for generations, and for survivors, the recovery process can last long after the winds die down—when homes are destroyed, lives are uprooted, and hope is nearly lost.
Nestled within the Gulf Coast, Louisiana has a long history of hurricane damage. “According to NOAA’s database, 57 hurricanes have either made landfall in or have tracked over Louisiana as hurricanes from the mid-19th century through 2023. That’s an average of one such hurricane every three years,” reports Weather.com.
While Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005 were among the most catastrophic, more recent storms like Hurricanes Laura, Delta, and Category 4 Hurricane Ida in 2020 and 2021 have devastated the state, displacing thousands and contributing to a sharp rise in homelessness. Families were left without essentials like shelter, transportation, employment, and utilities, making it difficult for many to rebuild their lives in the aftermath.
This is the story of one Louisiana resident’s journey from hopelessness to recovery after the storm.
“It Tore the Whole Roof Off…”
Pat is no stranger to adversity, having survived three hurricanes over the years, including Hurricane Rita, which she described as a particularly harrowing experience. “When Rita came, it tore the whole roof off,” she recalled. Despite the trauma of these storms, she remains grateful. “Through three hurricanes I’ve been through, I’m still here.”
Forced to leave her community after the storm, Pat spent seven months in a hotel in New Orleans, trying to navigate an uncertain future. “There were a lot of financial difficulties we went through,” she says, but her faith carried her through those dark times. “I prayed, and God kept me.”
After months of instability, Pat was approved to move into a FEMA trailer in Iowa, Louisiana, before being transferred to a hotel that was acting as a shelter in Lake Charles. Both temporary housing situations were a blessing, but Pat dreamed of a real home that she could bring her family into, and the stability that came with putting the storm behind her.
“I Don’t Mind Starting Over…”
It was during this time that she came across Endeavors, a national humanitarian organization dedicated to helping individuals in crisis. With a long history in both homelessness prevention and hurricane recovery, the organization deployed to the region in November 2023 to respond to the homelessness crisis caused by Hurricanes Delta, Laura, and Ida.
“This opportunity had come about, and I signed up,” she said. With Endeavors’ help, Pat secured an apartment and began to rebuild her life. “I have to start all over again, but I don’t mind starting over. At least I’m living.”
Looking ahead, Pat is determined to regain stability and pursue her long-term goals. “One of my goals is to own a home again,” she shared. She also dreamed of returning to college, so Endeavors provided her with resources to return to school and earn her degree as a Certified Nursing Assistant.
In reflecting on the support she has received from Endeavors, Pat expressed deep gratitude for the assistance provided by the organization. “Y’all helped us really good, and y’all have a great attitude,” she said, praising her case manager in particular. “She’s there, she listens to me, she listens to what I have to say.”
While Pat’s journey is far from over, her resilience and faith have kept her moving forward. With the support of Endeavors, she is confident that her life will continue to improve. “I thank you guys very much,” she said.
And with her eyes set on the future, Pat is ready for whatever comes next.
A Helping Hand to Every Client, Every Time…
Endeavors is currently assisting hurricane survivors in the New Orleans and Baton Rouge areas. From safety shelters and evacuation efforts to home repairs, new furniture, and clothing, Endeavors works ceaselessly to help in any way we can. To learn more about our current recovery programs, and submit an application for assistance, visit our Disaster Relief page.
About Endeavors
Endeavors is a longstanding national non-profit that provides an array of programs and services in support of children, families, Veterans, and those struggling with mental illness and other disabilities. Endeavors serves vulnerable people in crisis through innovative personalized services. For more information, please visit endeavors.org.