Love, Legacy and Home: Two Families, One Community Effort

On February 7, 2025, Kickoff to Rebuild returned to New Orleans, bringing together volunteers, including more than 100 from Lowe’s, along with other partners and community members to revitalize homes and shared spaces in the historic St. Roch neighborhood. Just northeast of the French Quarter, St. Roch is a culturally vibrant community known for its Creole cottages, shotgun homes, neighborhood park and the iconic St. Roch Chapel and Cemetery.

While St. Roch has seen waves of revitalization in recent years, many of its longtime residents continue to face challenges, from aging homes to the lingering effects of storms like Katrina and Ida. That’s why this year’s Kickoff to Rebuild focused on St. Roch Avenue—supporting neighbors whose stories reflect the strength and heart of this neighborhood.

For nearly 50 years, Mark and Euritici have called their house on St. Roch Avenue home. High school sweethearts, they’ve weathered life’s many storms—both literal and figurative—side by side. Over the years, hurricanes battered their home, but they always found a way to rebuild. After Hurricane Ida, however, the repairs became harder. Both retired, they struggled to tackle the many updates their aging home required, especially as Mark has faced health issues.

Their home isn’t just a building. It’s their family home, where they built memories and plan to age in place. When Euritici fell on the back steps, the need for support became urgent. Rebuilding Together New Orleans first helped with a new roof in 2023 and returned for Kickoff to Rebuild,where volunteers helped ensure the couples can live safely in the home they love.  The project included building new back stairs with railings, painting the porch ceiling, pressure washing the home and installing a new fence. These essential repairs help ensure their home remains a haven for years to come.

Just a few houses down live Joyce and Philip. For nearly 30 years, they’ve called St. Roch home, weathering devastating storms, including Katrina and Ida. They had just finished paying off their mortgage two years before Katrina hit. This milestone turned into heartbreak as they faced the overwhelming task of rebuilding. Still, they decided to stay.

As they entered retirement, the physical and financial toll of maintaining their home grew heavier. Rebuilding Together New Orleans stepped in earlier this year to replace their roof and HVAC system, bringing much-needed relief. For Joyce and Philip, being part of Kickoff to Rebuild was not just about repairs. It was about being surrounded by the neighbors and community they love. During the event, volunteers prepped and painted the home’s exterior, replaced compromised siding and built new stairs and rails, ensuring their home remains safe, sturdy and filled with the same spirit that’s carried them through the years.

The stories of Mark, Euritici, Joyce and Philip are reminders of why events like Kickoff to Rebuild matter. It’s about more than home repairs. Kickoff to Rebuild is about preserving the history and culture of neighborhoods like St. Roch. It’s about ensuring longtime residents can age safely in the communities they’ve helped build.