This report is the first in a series of reports that will convey research findings from a longitudinal study called the Tulane Community Organizing Research Project (TCORPS) conducted with 25 community organizations working in Post-Katrina New Orleans. These reports are intended for the consumption of the organizations themselves, community practitioners in New Orleans, other practitioners in disaster contexts, policymakers, funders, researchers, educators and students. Subsequent reports and papers will focus on lessons learned about community building and community organizing, social justice and organizational practice.

This brief report is intended to communicate the ideas and recommendations set forth by community advocates and organizers for future research related to Post- Katrina rebuilding. We asked the research participants what they thought researchers should be asking community organizations. Re-presenting the voices of community organizations is a way to support a more community-driven research agenda rather than an agenda driven solely by researchers and scholars. The intention is for researchers, evaluators and funders to heed the words of those on the ground in Post-Katrina New Orleans and partner with them to learn about what is happening and leverage that knowledge into action.

Please email Loretta Pyles [mail to: lpyles@tulane.edu] for a copy of the report.