Nearly a decade after Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans, residents of the Lower Ninth Ward were still struggling to get back on their feet. Businesses had been destroyed, and getting basic necessities like groceries required taking 3 busses. Veteran and father Burnell Cotlon decided someone needed to fix that—and that someone was him. He saved money earned working at fast-food restaurants and dollar stores to buy an incredibly dilapidated building on an empty block. After many a 15-hour day, he turned that building into the area’s first grocery store post-Katrina. And he’s committed to rebuilding his community one business at a time.
In New Orleans’ Hardest-Hit Neighborhood, A Recovery — By Sheer Will
The very first customer cried 'cause she said she never thought the Lower Ninth Ward was coming back.
If you are experiencing emotional distress or other mental health concerns after a disaster, the Disaster Distress Helpline is here for you 24/7/365.
1-800-985-5990For Deaf and Hard of Hearing ASL Users: Please text or call using your preferred Relay provider. For more resources, click here.
For Spanish: Call or text and press “2”. For more resources, click here.
Para Español: Llame o envíe un mensaje de texto al 1-800-985-5990 y oprima el número 2. Para más recursos, haga clic aquí.