After months of finish work, Kenneth and Lynette’s house on St. Roch is finally finished (knock on wood). We had a few setbacks with some cracking tile (thanks to the original plumber), the electrical inspections, and the heating and air systems, but folks are already moving in with Kenneth and Lynette.

I visited Kenneth this week to find his house already full of family and friends celebrating during the Mardi Gras season. They fed me breakfast and told me their plans for Fat Tuesday. Kenneth’s got his trailer ready and will stake out a spot on St. Charles at 3AM. There will be cold beverages and bar-b-q hamburgers and chicken by 4AM. I can’t wait!

Thanks so much to every volunteer that helped this family get themselves back into a warm and welcoming home in New Orleans. This Mardi Gras season, we’ll also be celebrating returning home with family. Let Kenneth and Lynette’s home be blessed. Let them find comfort and security there forever.

Kenneth does quality control on a group from New York installing drywall.

This fall, volunteers from across the country, including Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Kansas, Michigan and New York have worked on Kenneth’s home on St. Roch Ave., bringing it closer to completion.

In the downstairs apartment, we’ve been able to finish the bamboo floors in the bedrooms and living room, the tile floor in the kitchen and bathroom, the doors and trim work, and are beginning to install final plumbing fixtures and appliances. Kenneth and Lynette’s family and friends have helped out tremendously.

Every group has setbacks--even these hardworking folks from Michigan!

 Upstairs, we’ve finished taping and mudding the drywall. Kenneth helped us mud, prime, and texture the walls and hopes to use these skills to help his sister finish rebuilding her home. A little bit of mudding, taping, and texturing remains before final painting can be finished. Then we’ll finish the floors, trim, and plumbing to allow Kenneth and Lynette move into their master bedroom.

Thanks to all who brought Kenneth and his family one step closer to totally moving in. Look for more updates soon.

David Ferris  -  Construction Assistant at St Roch