New Orleans Community Leader Allen Austin summed up the rebuilding effort in his city, "It's been 20 months, it's going to take 20 years."

Twenty months after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita hit New Orleans, tens of thousands were still fighting to reclaim their homes, neighborhoods and lives.

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Rev. Gilbert Scie stands outside the church he pastors in New Orleans where Mercy Corps volunteers are helping out.

Workers with Portland-based Mercy Corps, agreed.

It will take longer to rebuild New Orleans, than anyone thought. As of May first, the non-profit had a dozen people stationed in the Gulf. Sarah Chenven oversees Gulf Coast Hurricane Recovery.

From her Portland office, she said "We went in with the intent of running a relatively short term relief (effort), then moving into a recovery effort. We actually expected we'd probably be gone by this time."

Mercy Corps and several other non-profits are still working in the Gulf.

Chenven added, "What we saw immediately is that government at all levels failed to respond effectively and efficiently, and that we could play a role based on our role overseas."

Neighborhood Associations have noticed this as well, so within the last year there has been a growing movement to build from what Chenven called "the ground up".

Mercy Corps has committed more than $8 million to the Gulf region. It largely plays the role of "catalyst" between Neighborhood Associations and Charitable Organizations, nationwide.

Examples can be found in Portland. Powell's Books has been collecting money to buy books for the Rose Keller Library and Community Center in New Orleans' Broadmoor Neighborhood.

Co-founders of Portland non-profit, The ReBuilding Center, helped draw plans for a project to salvage building materials from vacant homes.

Green technology from the Northwest has been shared at a Holy Cross Community Center, so as families rebuild, they will have lower electricity bills.

Kimberly McMinn has been on the job in New Orleans since the flooding. She has worked closely with members of the Broadmoor Neighborhood Association.

"The neighborhood association people, they're my friends. We've become so close working everyday, talking on the phone to find resources for them, and (we're) letting them know someone is there to help them."

McMinn added "It's a huge civic uprising. It's amazing!"

Chenven closed with this commitment, "we would like to be in New Orleans as long as we are needed. As long as our partners feel we still add value."

Find more information on these Web sites:

Mercy Corps

Powell's Books

Rebuilding Center