Et cetera : Corps Members Helping To Rebuild Minot, North Dakota

Corps Members Helping To Rebuild Minot, North Dakota

By: Jessica Ray

Nearly two months ago Minot, North Dakota was hit with a massive flood that destroyed homes, businesses and displaced Minot residents. Residents of Minot are in the process of rebuilding and with the help of AmeriCorps NCCC Members and All Hands Volunteers, who are partnering to rebuild the city with home at a time; the residents have chance.

On Thursday, September 8, 2011 two AmeriCorps NCCC teams traveled to Minot, North Dakota to assist in the flood recovery effects in the city. NCCC Members partnered with All Hands Volunteers to give residents displaced from the flood a new start. All Hands Volunteers is an organization in which people can donate their time and volunteer to make a difference in a community. Typical days consist of removing all internal fixtures and furnishings from the first floor to the basement of houses that have been water damaged due to the floor, such as furniture, beds, bathroom sinks, and freezer. 

Once everything has been removed from the home, next comes the mucking and gutting of the house. This process involves destroying the interior of a building, leaving only the outer walls standing. Jesse Brothers, NCCC Member, “I enjoy the destruction part of this work because I am able to break up kitchen cabinets and remove dry wall”.

Our work is greatly appreciated by the residents of Minot and with every home we do we are allowing families the opportunity to move back into their homes.