WHO: Matt Theriault of Los Angeles, CA.

WHAT: Matt established the Rebuild the Bayou foundation to restore the Lower Ninth Ward in New Orleans, Louisiana. This initiative will renew the Lower Ninth Ward for its former residents, empower these residents to move back home and inspire the nation to participate in the effort.

WHERE: Lower Ninth Ward – New Orleans, Louisiana

WHEN: 2010 until the Lower Ninth Ward is rebuilt – for its former residents.

WHY: Theriault has been deeply affected by the stories and images associated with the destruction of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.  Since Hurricane Katrina hit, sufficient housing remains a dire need in South Louisiana. Over 200,000 homes were destroyed by the category-five hurricane. Demand for housing in the area steadily increases, making it substantially more difficult for South Louisiana’s displaced residents to transition from their temporary locations to quality permanent housing – which includes residences built with environmentally responsive materials.

• The hurricanes of 2005 left an impact on the Gulf Coast that will be felt for years to come. Here is a glimpse, in numbers, of the devastation wrought by Katrina and Rita.
• Katrina and Rita impacted the lives of 4.5 million Louisiana citizens.  
• As a result of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, more than 650,000 people were displaced from their homes.  
• More than 1,000 residents died as a result of the storms, more than 6,000 were reported missing and more than 3,000 were unaccounted for.  
• Across the Gulf Coast, Katrina alone destroyed 275,000 homes—ten times as many as the next most destructive storms to recently hit the U.S.
• Across Louisiana, Katrina and Rita damaged and destroyed more than 250,000 homes and units. 
• More than 75,000 homes outside of the floodplain were destroyed in Louisiana.
• As a result of both storms, 10 hospitals were forced to close in Louisiana.  
• Forty Louisiana schools were destroyed as a result of the storms, while more than 835 were damaged.  

HOW: The project will be funded by both public donations and a percentage of profits generated from Matt’s businesses.

It is Matt’s goal to sell 200,000 copies of the eVersion of Do Over at a minimum $1 each of which 100% will be donated to this cause. He needs your help in spreading the word

Nevertheless, the first $200,000 of Do Over proceeds will be contributed to this cause.

Matt, in conjunction with Principal Doris Hicks, will select the first recipient family of a new or newly remodeled house through an essay contest of which the students of Martin Luther King, Jr. Charter School for Science and Technology have participated. Theriault will hand the keys to the recipient family on December 15, 2010. Photograph compliments of People Magazine.