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Katrina: One year later
Tuesday, 29 August 2006 at 8:00 AM

It's now been one year since Hurricane Katrina, and New Orleans still has a lot of rebuilding to do. According to state estimates, only 45 percent of the city's original population has returned (ref: CNN). Roughly a third of the city's schools, hospitals and libraries remain closed (ref: CNN). These hard facts speak volumes about the difficult road ahead.

In his interview with Matt Lauer yesterday, Harry had this to say about the state of New Orleans one year later:

It's pretty bad, Matt, you know. But I think steps are being taken and there's a lot of people that are really really trying to rebuild. There's some people that don't think that it's a good idea, but those that do are really really trying hard.

Beyond the news coverage of Katrina, consider visiting the Katrina section of connick.com's discussion forum. Contained within its many threads is a vast collection of news articles, personal accounts, website links, and discussions expressing a variety of perspectives on the situation that continues to this day. In the first days and weeks after the hurricane struck, connick.com came together to provide direct support for affected members of Harry's band. Our diverse forum community includes: a resident of New Orleans who has provided first-hand accounts of the daily struggle to rebuild lives and the city; people who have contributed to the rebuilding process, either by volunteering their personal time or simply by visiting and kick-starting the local economy, which the city so desperately needs; as well as people across the country and the world who wish to remain informed and involved in the ongoing effort to save the treasure that is New Orleans.

There are many organizations "really really trying" to help bring back the music and rebuild lives. We'd like to highlight the following and remind you that your support will continue to be needed for the long-term.

New Orleans Habitat Musicians' Village

Harry and Branford's project for displaced New Orleans musicians.

Arabi Wrecking Krewe

A dedicated group working to help NOLA musicians return home and rebuild. Craig Klein from Harry's big band is a founding member of the AWK.

Tipitina's Foundation

Working to rebuild the music culture of New Orleans by aiding musicians in finding gigs and replacing instruments.

New Orleans Musicians Hurricane Relief Fund

Goals are to provide humanitarian outreach to New Orleans musicians affected by Hurricane Katrina and to revive New Orleans' unique musical culture.

Music Rising

Joint venture by Gibson and Guitar Center, billed as "an instrument replacement fund for musicians of the Gulf Coast."