Liz McCartney: Looking Forward

Liz McCartney is the co-founder of the local non-profit, the St. Bernard Project. A former educator, she also supports the Roots of Music, an after school music education program for children, and Akili Academy, a charter school in Gentilly. Liz is inspired by the innovative ways these organizations educate and support young New Orleanians.

Liz traveled to New Orleans in February 2006, to volunteer in the recovery efforts with her boyfriend Zack Rosenburg and her mom. Liz and Zack were so moved by the resilient and determined residents they met, and the numerous barriers to rebuilding they faced, that they started the St. Bernard Project, a nonprofit dedicated to helping residents rebuild their homes and lives. Since rebuilding its first home in the summer of 2006, the organization has built more than 342 homes (and counting) for clients who can not afford to hire contractors. SBP has recruited over 29,000 volunteers and currently has 61 homes under construction in New Orleans and St. Bernard.

SBP also runs a free multimodal mental health clinic for uninsured residents, in partnership with LSU, Tulane and the state. Through their Opportunity Housing Program, both SBP’s volunteers and Good Work Good Pay employees — comprised of veterans and wounded soldiers — are transforming abandoned property into affordable homes for sale to qualified low to moderate income residents.

Liz envisions a New Orleans where people of all income levels can secure safe and affordable housing in viable neighborhoods. With thousands of homeowners still struggling to rebuild after Katrina, Liz and her team are committed to finishing the job for these residents. While current rental and sale prices far exceed the wages of many residents, Liz believes that the region’s blighted property and empty lots could readily and affordably be redeveloped into work force housing.

Liz defines Vision as the ability to see what is positive and possible. Every day Liz interacts with local residents and contributors from around the country who are committed to finishing the job in the New Orleans area. She believes that if we follow Drew Brees’s mantra from last season and “finish strong” that New Orleans will strengthen its culturally rich, family centered legacy.