James Mercadel--St Bernard Project -- Help Rebuild New Orleans

James Mercadel

James was just welcomed home!

9 April 2010

Homeowner Bio

“Jake, say hello,” James shouts from his front porch.

As usual, Jake responds with a yelp and James bursts into laughter.

“Good dog, good dog,” he says looking towards Jake.

Then he turns to us and says, “He’s a champ!”

Jake is James’ Seeing Eye dog that gives him the ability to find places he otherwise wouldn’t be able to find.

“I tell him Jake find the steps or Jake go left; find the door,” James says.

However on, August 29, 2005, James lost his way. Hurricane Katrina hit and James found himself alone lying on the floor with his dogs praying to the good Lord.

“Then water came and wet my feet,” James remembers.

After three hours of waiting, a neighbor came to help. “We walked two doors over to get to a boat,” James says. “We had to walk on our tip toes because the water was right up to my chin.” But for now, the neighbor could only rescue James. Jake would have to be left behind.

Jake and James were separated and James lost is only form of sight.

James’ next stop to safety was a local church. After waiting for several days, he was rescued again. He was dropped off along the interstate and told to walk west. Without Jake leading him, James had to rely on the goodness of others to get him to safety. James eventually found himself in Houston, TX after many subsequent stops.

More than three weeks had passed before a rescue team made it to James’ house. Nothing looked the same, except for one familiar face sitting at the front door. It was Jake. He had survived the storm.

James and Jake were reunited.

It’s been quite an arduous journey since this storybook reunion, however. James may not be sure what direction he is heading, but he certainly hasn’t lost sight of what’s important in life.

“My belief in God comes first,” James says.

His belief in others may have diminished, however. Like so many other victims, James ran across five different contractors who all took advantage of him and his inability to see. They left the inside of his house incomplete and told James things were there that never actually were.

“They made the inside of my home look as if they got angry with me or we had an argument,” James says.

Unlike so many others however, James has the copies of the contractor agreements and by law could have them arrested and press charges, but James chooses not to do so.

“Many people think I’m being foolish,” said James, who chooses to rely on God instead of the law.

“Jesus Christ states if somebody steals something from you, let them have it and turn the other check,” James says.

James currently rents a small space, but the living conditions aren’t adequate.

“Where I am, it’s not comfortable for the blind,” James says. “It’s comfortable being in your own home.” Soon enough, James will get that comfortable feeling back.

Even though James has been dealt some tough hands, he can still smile and laugh each day.

Sitting on his front porch, James shouts, “Hello Angela!” down the sidewalk.

James can’t see his neighbor next door, but he knows she is there.

He turns to us and says, “She’s a good friend.”

James and Jake can’t wait to return home and their neighbors are just as anxious to have this dynamic duo back in the neighborhood.

Welcome Home!

SBP recently welcomed home:

Amelia Elzey, Gentilly, LA
Lisa Heberling, Arabi, LA
Royce & Veron Treaudo, New Orleans, LA
Shelita Harrell, New Orleans East, LA

Read more about our other completed homes.

Under Construction

Some of our homes currently under Construction

Barbara Williams, New Orleans, LA
Brenda Dupre-Williams, Lower 9th
Chana King, Violet, LA
Clarence and Diane Victorian, New Orleans East, LA
Cologero Caillouet, Chalmette, LA
Darren Anderson, Violet, LA
Darryn Carreras, Chalmette, LA
Darrell Betha, Mereaux, LA
David Lagrange, Arabi, LA
David Melerine, St Bernard, LA
Deborah Vita, Violet, LA
Debra Brown, Gentilly, LA
Delia Doty, Chalmette, LA
Donald & Tonya Topey, Violet, LA
Donnell Barthelemy, Violet, LA
Donnie Panarello, Chalmette, LA
Evelyn Solis, Chalmette, LA
Gerry Bierria, New Orleans, LA
Glenda Ceaser, Violet, LA
Jennifer Lanier, Violet, LA
Joycelyn and Lawrence Stokes, St. Bernard, LA
Joyce Guient, New Orleans, LA
Juan Toledo, Arabi, LA
Keith Florane, Chalmette, LA
Kenneth Burrell, Arabi, LA
Kenneth Dorsey, Lower 9th
Kwame & Dominique Adansi-Bona, Gentilly, LA
Mathilda & August Miller, Chalmette, LA
Mona Lisa Payne, New Orleans, LA
Ralph Dipadova, Chalmette, LA
Rebecca Holmes, St. Bernard, LA
Regina Beal, Violet, LA
Rhonda Krantz, St. Bernard, LA
Ricky Diecidue, Meraux, LA
Robert & Amy Barlow, Meraux, LA
Roosevelt Houston, Lower 9th
Sabrina Pacaccio, Violet, LA
Shane & Tina Meshell, Meraux, LA
Sharen Williams, Arabi, LA
Theresa McLuckey, Chalmette, LA
Vanessa Havers, St. Bernard, LA
Velma Lewis, New Orleans, LA
Willie Major, Violet, LA