September 19, 2005 - Hurricane Katrina: Investing in Our Community in the Wake of Tragedy

We were all stunned and saddened to see the terrible tragedy that unfolded in New Orleans as thousands of residents were stranded by Katrina. Many voices across the political spectrum continue to debate why thousands of residents remained behind in peril and what plans should have been made for them, but one thing is appallingly clear: Although many stayed by choice – to care for family, pets, or homes – mostly those with the resources to provide for themselves and their families evacuated safely, while the people left behind were overwhelmingly those living in poverty.

In Washington , many of us believe that an “act of humans” may someday put our citizens in frighteningly similar circumstances. With this very real possibility facing us, it is imperative that we not only make practical emergency plans now, but also that we begin to seriously invest in the education of Washington's low-income children, to ensure that more of today's school-age children have the opportunity to become tomorrow's contributing citizens—people with decent jobs and better incomes, with financial resources and networks of support, and with the skills and ability to plan for and take care of themselves and their families.

So while we each reach out to ease the suffering we see in the Southeast today, volunteering our time and writing checks to relief organizations, let us also be making a preventive, longer-term investment in the many DC area organizations working to give today's low-income children the education they deserve so they won't be left behind tomorrow, either in the face of a crisis or in their everyday lives.

Kate Cudlipp

Chair of the Board of Directors, For Love of Children