Des Moines Register
August 10, 2006

Hurricane survivors invited to celebrate at the fair

By Meghan V. Malloy

A year ago, Cotrena McIntyre, a science teacher and mother, was living her New Orleans life — going to summer family parties and shopping at fish markets.

On Friday McIntyre and her family will celebrate their culture and cuisine at the Iowa State Fair with about 500 other hurricane survivors from Katrina, Rita and Wilma, who are now living in Iowa.

"Hurricanes and Hope: Celebrating the Journey into Iowa," is an Iowa State Fair celebration to be held from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday in the Polk County Farm Bureau Shelter.

It is being organized and sponsored by the New Iowan Center, a division of the Iowa Workforce Center, along with three other organizations*.

The event is designed for survivors from the three storms to recount their stories and look to the future of living in the Midwest.

During the 12-hour fest, there will be activities for children, music and Creole cooking native to the Big Easy, and "Mardi Gras in August" at night. The meals and activities are free of charge to survivors.

"We feel it’s a good time to introduce Iowa culture to these people at our best, which is the State Fair," said Michael Rosmann, executive director of AgriWellness, Inc., which along with he Iowa Department of Human Services and the State Public Policy Group in Des Moines, helped plan the event.

"We want this event to put a positive spin on the events from last year," he said.

McIntyre, who has lived in Des Moines since Sept. 5, 2005, said she hopes "Hurricanes and Hope" will also serve as a therapeutic release for survivors who are approaching the one year anniversary of losing homes, possessions, and for some, family members.

McIntyre started going to weekly meetings for hurricane survivors and eventually met people from the Iowa Workforce Center in January who would help her turn tragedy into something positive.

She now serves as an outreach coordinator for the New Iowan Center, helping other displaced people start over in Des Moines by offering services they need, including assistance in finding employment, immigration referrals, and legal help. All services are at no cost, McIntyre said.

"[Katrina] was horrible, it changed my city forever," McIntyre said. "The hurricane was a real wake-up call for everyone. I’m just glad I can help other people."

Reporter Meghan V. Malloy can be reached at (515) 284-8065 or memalloy@dmreg.com

*Including State Public Policy Group