Donald R. Phoenix worked at NeighborWorks® America for more than 26 years. He was regional vice president of the Southern Region at the time of Hurricane Katrina which hit New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, and was part of the NeighborWorks support team as the region began to rebuild. Isaac Igbonagwam, a relationship manager in the Southern Region, asked Phoenix for some of his reflections from that time.

NeighborWorks: How did the impact of Hurricane Katrina affect you personally?

It’s easy for me to remember both the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and my own anniversary working with NeighborWorks America: They happen at nearly the same time. One anniversary marks a storm 20 years ago that still seems like yesterday. The other marks the continuance of a career in affordable housing and community development helping people – including myself – recover.