Oprah’s Angel Network

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With the help of the Hope Coordination Center, the Nguyens and many other East Biloxi families have new homes and new hope for the future.

Copyright Architecture for Humanity

On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina crashed into Mississippi’s Gulf Coast, leveling the cities and towns in its path. East Biloxi—one of the Gulf Coast’s poorest communities—was not spared. When the storm passed, much of the city’s housing stock was left uninhabitable. With many businesses and vital community resources also destroyed, residents were left with no place to go for help, and no idea how they would rebuild their lives.

But hope began to rise a few days after the storm, thanks to the formation of the Hope Coordination Center. Starting with nothing more than a folding table and a map of the area, the Center evolved from providing relief and recovery in the first days and weeks after the storm into a model community development and recovery organization, thanks in part to a grant from Oprah’s Angel Network.

Now, the Center is the “one-stop-shop” in East Biloxi for those impacted by the storms. At the Center, people can get everything from free architectural design services to guidance on how to access government funding for rebuilding.

Most importantly, by creating unique partnerships with other organizations like Architecture for Humanity, the Gulf Coast Design Studio and countless volunteer groups, the Center has helped empower an entire community—giving them a voice in how their homes and neighborhoods are rebuilt.

Stronger Now

The Nguyen home. The Nguyens were picked as one of 7 families to participate in a model home program. The program is dedicated to finding the most effective means of financing and construction of new homes in East Biloxi.

East Biloxi is proof that when Gulf Coast residents and organizations work together, they can rebuild a community that's stronger than ever.

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East Biloxi is proof that when residents and organizations work together, Gulf Coast communities have the opportunity to come back—sometimes, stronger than they were before the 2005 storms.

Building Homes

So far, the Hope Coordination Center has completed 620 home rehabs, initiated 78 home loans and 7 model homes will be completed this year in partnership with Architecture for Humanity. Case managers at the agency have helped nearly 3,000 clients, and with nearly 400 cases closed it means these families are back in their homes.

Building Hope

In addition to getting people back into homes, the Center is also working to make life better in the community. The Center has developed a crime prevention and beautification program and is recruiting block captains to serve as leaders in their neighborhoods. Through information sharing, helping resolve conflicts, and organizing events like cleaning days and block parties, the captains will help promote community participation.