Interview With Hollygrove Resident Patrice Boyd
Patrice and Alex by Alan Gutierrez.
An interview with Patrice Boyd. You should see a media player below this if you are viewing this article at the Think New Orleans website.
Patrice Boyd has lived in Hollygrove all of her life. “It’s the only neighborhood I’ve known.”
Patrice left the city on August 29th and was gone for 147 days and returned on Christmas Eve of 2005. She accepted a FEMA trailer and set out to rebuild her home with the help of her church, the Caffin Avenue Church of God. Church volunteers from across the country and from further abroad have helped Patrice gut and rebuild.
Like many people rebuilding in Hollygrove, Patrice found challenges dealing with shortages, permits and contractors. It was difficult to find professionals like electricians and plumbers with reasonable rates.
“Initially we had received an exorbitant estimate to have the gas lines flushed and we opted to wait and we spent a cold a winter but it was well worth the wait because when we had the gas restored and had the line flushed back in the spring of this year what we paid was considerably less than what we would have paid initially,” she said.
Patrice advises patience for other neighbors returning to Hollygrove. “As frustrating as it is to live in adverse circumstances, i.e. a FEMA trailer or a strange apartment in a different location, be willing to wait that out to get what you want in the end and that’s a home you’re going to be stratified with.”
When asked what brought her hope throughout her rebuilding efforts, Patrice said “The things that brings me hope is the faith that I had before the storm and the relationship I have with Jesus Christ. Those things are critical in helping keep my perspective.”
About New Orleans, Patrice also cautions patience. “Every system that makes a city government runs has been displaced.” Like many of her fellow New Orleanians she implies that rebuilding is, for better or worse, an task for neighborhoods and individuals. “We’ve got to hold our public officials accountable to do what they were elected to do. But we have to recognize that the power of government rests with the people and that’s what’s going to make things turn around.”
As a long time resident of Hollygrove, Patrice is realistic yet optimistic about the recovery of the neighborhood. She said “I see it coming back and it’s good. It’s not a magic wand or a secret weapon that can make it happen. It’s just one family at a time rebuilding as best they can with what they can.”
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