concordia is a community based planning and design team with a collective passion for the principles of concord. We implement our work through an integrative and participatory process that addresses physical, cultural, social, educational, organizational and economic assets and needs.
Concordia After Katrina
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Friends and Colleagues,
I am writing to express my deepest gratitude to so many of our friends and colleagues who have offered their help in this difficult time. I am happy to report that my family and all at Concordia are safe and sound. In the days ahead we will each be busy finding places to live and educate our children while the recovery efforts in New Orleans are getting underway.
At Concordia, we are all in close contact with each other on a continuous basis. Although each of us is in a different city, our experiences in operating nationally as a virtual organization have allowed us to continue service to our clients and projects through our normal network of voice and data communications. So our work continues in Philadelphia, Pa; Camden, NJ; Oakland, Ca. and other places on the horizon. We are of course very anxious also to get back to New Orleans to help with the recovery efforts.
Many of you have inquired about the status of the educational facilities at the New Orleans Public Schools. Over the past two years, I have been meeting with Mayor Ray Nagin, Orleans Parish School Board members and representatives from local foundations to explore the organization of a “Community Trust” for systemic community planning and development. Our goal is to create a community-based master plan to address New Orleans’ many and diverse needs and to rebuild the educational infrastructure as a collection of Community Learning Centers that will support a wide range of needs (including disaster refuge) at the neighborhood level. We have made significant progress, but under the present circumstances we will need to push even harder. Although funds have been limited, a local community education foundation has agreed to host and coordinate the master planning process. If there are any among our friends and colleagues (or your friends and colleagues) who would be willing to help out personally, professionally or financially, we would be very grateful for your support.
Thanks go out to each of you who have reached out to open your arms, your offices and your homes to us. Although there are many challenges to overcome, I feel so fortunate and grateful to so many supportive and caring friends and colleagues.
Keeping the Faith!
Steven Bingler