PHILADELPHIA -- While it has been over a year since Hurricane Katrina, there is still much to do in New Orleans, as Philadelphia Federal Credit Union Vice President of Lending Claire Ippoliti discovered when she took a week off to volunteer for the Emergency Communities Goin' Home Community Caf?(C).

"The Lower 9th Ward, Louisiana looks as though time has stood still. And while the water here has receded, nothing else has changed," said Ippoliti. "As I stand looking around the Lower 9th, 18 months after the hurricane, I find myself asking, 'Am I still in America?' The devastation lingers and is immense."

Basics ranging from three meals a day, laundry, telephone and Internet access, to home gutting and grass cutting, are all provided free to local residents still in need by EC.

In addition to meeting and getting to know the residents, Ippoliti says she was also touched by the dedication and commitment of the volunteers during her week-long stay.

"I do not know how they do it. Imagine all the personnel issues we all face each day in our respective offices. Now imagine that you live together 24 hours a day, work 14 to 16 hours most days, are short staffed and have to train new staff on a continual basis. Oh, and by the way, the pay is zero," said Ippoliti. "Add to this the fact that your work environment is less than ideal (located in a high crime area, dormitory sleeping arrangements, outdoor shower). It brings new meaning to the phrase People Helping People."

PFCU has also donated a computer to EC's continued relief efforts. For more information on EC, visit www.emergencycommunities.org.

NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2025 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.