Although the 8th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina hasn’t created a lot of media attention, for us, the storm and the events in the days and weeks afterward changed our lives forever.

More than 50 levees and flood walls broke when Katrina hit, flooding 80% of New Orleans and all of St. Bernard Parish. Our founder Dr. Rebecca Thomley was one of the first to enter the Ninth Ward in the aftermath of this terrible storm. As a First Responder for the Red Cross, she had never seen such devastation nor such a huge need for help. Our organization was formed not long after to help those in New Orleans, and many more affected by not only the physical but the emotional damages caused by natural disaster.

The residents of New Orleans, and particularly those in the Ninth Ward, still need our help. Your donations to Headwaters Relief help fund the River of Hope Mental Health Center. This Center provides counseling services, referrals, children’s activities, drumming circles and many other programs to the people of the Ninth Ward of New Orleans. Please help with any amount you can.

On a final note, many journalists and media outlest have continued to raise awareness  about Hurricane Katrina. In case you missed them, here is some of the coverage from yesterday’s anniversary.

USA Today – Gulf Coast marks 8th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina

CBS News – Wreath laying ceremony commemorates Katrina’s 8th anniversary

Nola Defender – Local leaders reflect on 8th anniversary of Katrina

Heavy.com – Hurricane Katrina 8 years later (slideshow)

Times -Picayune – Governor Bobby Jindal: Katrina brought us to our knees but didn’t shake our resolve