Two weeks.

Just a little over two weeks since Hurricane Ida’s landfall, and it has felt like a long stretch of months filled with many highs and lows – moments of great challenge, yet also deep inspiration and hope.

As our busses pulled back into New Orleans late Saturday night, I breathed a mixed sigh of relief and worry – happy to return home, but all too aware of the ups and downs of post-Ida recovery that lay ahead of us.

Our time in Houston had its challenges, filled with anxiety and re-lived trauma. Our young people worried about loss of employment, the inability to return to school and training programs, and further delays in achieving their personal goals. Our dedicated staff – many of whom left their homes without power and in physical disarray to care for our evacuated youth – shared their own fears. 

And yet, in spite of all this, there were many joy-filled moments and expressions of deep gratitude.

Our extended “Cov family” opened its arms and wrapped us up in love. To all those in Houston and across the country who supported us in our greatest time of need, we thank you from the depths of our hearts. Your hospitality, generosity, and prayers were a huge help. From ice cream sundae nights, exploration walks, to the best Atlantic sockeye salmon ever (courtesy of Covenant House Alaska), you made us feel welcomed and loved.

Though we’re grateful to be back in New Orleans, many of our youth and staff will not be able to sleep in their own beds… tonight, tomorrow, and for many nights to come.

It is a sobering reality, but I am confident that our community will pull through for us, as always. In so many ways, you already have. This isn’t the first crisis we have weathered, and I’m sure it will not be our last. However, our dedicated staff and brave youth continue to exhibit an extraordinary amount of strength, faith, and hope. God’s grace is ever present.

As our Covenant House family heals and recovers – alongside our battered region – we will continue to work together through this experience of collective trauma. We will continue to learn, grow and adapt. We will make the very necessary changes and apply our learnings to become even stronger and better equipped to overcome the challenges that lie ahead. 

It’s what we do, both at Covenant House and as a collective community. Once again, we will demonstrate our resilience and our resolve.

Please keep us, and all those impacted by hurricane Ida, in your thoughts and prayers.  

Peace & Blessings,

Rheneisha