After Hurricane Katrina’s powerful winds and storm surge devastated the Gulf Coast of the United States in 2005, a group of students at Franklin & Marshall College launched an organization to support the recovery effort. Two decades later, the Catastrophic Relief Alliance (CRA) is as strong as it’s ever been—and is still working to improve lives in areas affected by America’s most costly natural disasters.

In early January, 17 F&M students and five volunteers who are current or retired staff traveled to the Big Easy to aid in the revitalization of the Lower Ninth Ward, which experienced catastrophic flooding during Katrina. It was the CRA’s sixth trip to New Orleans, each one dedicated to rebuilding and renovating homes in the Lower Ninth. The group’s tasks—organized and vetted by the nonprofit Lowernine.org—included gutting, drywall, mudding, painting and flooring.

“This trip was a real eye-opener for our students, many of whom had not worked in disaster relief before,” said Andy Gulati, associate librarian for the sciences and adviser to the CRA since its inception. “I’m proud of what they accomplished. More than ever, people disparage the transitory nature of service work. But also more than ever, our students are civically engaged. They want their actions to mean something. Seeing that reminds me that our future is bright.”

As it is every year, the CRA’s trip was supported by F&M’s Ware Institute for Civic Engagement and an endowment set up by Tewlyn Underwood Yoburn ’02 and Jesse B. Yoburn ’02. “Without support from the endowment and Ware Institute, we couldn’t have done this,” Gulati said.

Mel Beans ’25, a member of the CRA since her first year at F&M, helped lead a rebuilding of the group after the pandemic threw its future into the unknown.

“I realized that what CRA was missing was a strong sense of community identity—many students saw volunteering with CRA as something to do occasionally, rather than a part of their experience and identity at F&M,” said Beans, former CRA president.

Working with former vice president Athena Kotsopriftis ’25, Beans launched a new recruitment effort. “Athena organized more local projects than ever in the club’s 20-year history, and played a pivotal role in engaging volunteers,” Beans said. “We introduced regular meetings and created traditions focused on building a sense of belonging and celebrating our work.”

In two decades, the CRA’s efforts have spanned the Lower 48, from storm-ravaged Staten Island to wildfire-stricken California. But the group also has left a positive impact closer to home; projects with Lancaster’s South Ann Concerned Neighbors, Milagro House, and many others have given students opportunities to sharpen their skills in the Red Rose City.

“Weekend projects in Lancaster allow me to meet great people within the student body, faculty, and especially the volunteer scene in the Lancaster area,” said Louise Truong ’28, who also went on the trip to New Orleans. “Being part of CRA means being part of a community that cares about donating time and effort to a good cause as well as maintaining a strong and meaningful connection to Lancaster.”

As Beans looks toward May Commencement, she says the CRA has been a significant highlight of her F&M experience.

“Through the CRA, I have learned about the type of community and experiences that make me feel most fulfilled,” she said. “The CRA has given me invaluable opportunities to do meaningful work, travel, make friends, find mentors, and grow as a person these past four years.”