As Hurricane Katrina unleashed its fury upon the Gulf Coast of the United States, Americans and the rest of the world watched the newscasts in shock. Instead of an earthquake or tsunami striking nameless and faceless people in a distant land, disaster had struck our own shores. The enormity of the destruction, the total devastation, and the overwhelming human suffering left many of us numb. Questions loomed in our minds: "How could something like this happen in the US?" "How could we as Americans have allowed our own neighbors to suffer so completely?"

Following the initial chaotic days of Hurricane Katrina, Americans mobilized with compassion and generousity in responding to those in need, rescuing families forced from their homes and planning for reconstruction. As part of these efforts, SFL was called to launch its first domestic recovery program. Relying on our expertise in shelter, disaster mitigation, and community-based projects, SFL and our partners have designed a creative and sustainable reconstruction plan to rebuild communities and restore the lives of families devastated by the deadly storms. We invite you to find out more and join us as we launch this new initiative.