Efforts to rebuild New Orleans start with helping of soul food

Published: 2006-08-24

NEW ORLEANS (CNS) -- Joron Smith shielded his eyes from the glare of the sun this summer as he looked out onto an empty lot that will soon be the site of his first home. "You're looking at a person who basically came from the gutter, and in a minimum amount of time, in following God's will, is becoming a homeowner for the first time," he said. Smith is the head cook and kitchen director at Cafe Reconcile, a restaurant and outreach program located near downtown New Orleans. The restaurant offers soul food, but the ministry of Cafe Reconcile is about saving souls as it provides at-risk youths an opportunity to learn life and interpersonal skills and the job skills necessary to become successful in the hospitality industry. The space occupied by Cafe Reconcile is a former hotbed of drug dealing and prostitution, but through its outreach and ministry the cafe is slowly reclaiming the impoverished neighborhood, said Craig Cuccia, executive director.

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