1.  What is the main focus of this article?  Why do you think the authors chose this focus rather than focusing on who is to blame for what went wrong with relief efforts?

Answer the following questions  (#'s 2-5) for each of the 5 stories presented in the article:
1)  New Orleans: members of the Desire Street Ministries by Jamie Dean
2)  Gulfport:  Seabees  helping rebuild and repair by Lynn Vincent
3)  Mississippi coast: How religious groups and their volunteers are helping with immediate relief, how a private owner is helping one person get back on his feet (individual private acts of kindness) by John Dawson
4)  Biloxi: the local newspaper that continues to provide the news by Lynn Vincent
5)  Houston:  a brief look at the Astrodome shelter by Laura Watson

2.  What words or phrases from each story give you an idea of the attitudes of the people involved (those directly affected/rescue workers/volunteers)?

3.  For each person/group, write several adjectives that best describe the characteristics of the people involved.

4.  Define integrity.  Do you think all/most of the people described in the stories have integrity?  Explain your answer.

5.  In each section the people described experienced private loss, but they focus on the bigger picture:  how they can rebuild and also help others.  What do you learn from these people? 

6.  Have you read and watched a lot of news about Hurricane Katrina and the aftermath?  Did most reports leave you inspired or discouraged?  Explain your answer.
Write to your local newspaper or news channel and ask them to provide more reports on people who are persevering in the face of adversity (caused by Hurricane Katrina).  For a media contact list, click here.