Logan Clark: Final Project

By Logan Clark, The Break Free Program Participant

There is beauty in every situation, even if it is just a small glimpse. I dare you to see it…

Relief Teams
After Hurricanes Laura and Delta devastated Lake Charles, Louisiana the city would soon become the hub for heroic linemen, contractors, disaster relief teams, and people from across the country just willing to help in any way possible. It was remarkable and heart-warming to see the enormous amount of people who were conducting supply drives, cooking food, and helping clean yards across the city shining as beacons of hope. This is triumph.

OM-D E-M1X | M.Zuiko 7-14mm F2.8 PRO
14mm | 1/500s | F9 | ISO 200
Distribution Center
Immediately following Hurricane Laura across Lake Charles there were many distribution/giveaway events and locations. Such as The Rock Center located at the historic Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church in Lake Charles, Louisiana would become a beacon of hope for many residents as it opened its doors to the community to distribute common household supplies ,water, clothes, and so much more. Pastor EJ Kemper states “ as a church we experienced a lot of damage and a lot of members experienced a lot of damages themselves but we were grateful that even in the midst of that ,we found purpose...We found purpose because we found people that needed help and we found we were to able to get through our own struggles by helping others”. The Rock Center was briefly closed due to Hurricane Delta and reopened once the mandatory evacuation from Hurricane Delta (the second hurricane to hit the area) was lifted. The Rock Center is currently still open serving the community.

OM-D E-M1X | M.Zuiko 7-14mm F2.8 PRO
7mm | 1/60s | F9 | ISO 3200
SWLA Center for Health Services
Despite damage to many of its buildings the SWLA Center for Health Services under the leadership of CEO Jayvon Muhammad (along with a hardworking staff) provided necessary aid and supplies immediately following both Hurricanes. There were many supply drives filled with common household supplies, food, water, and basically anything one may need. In addition to providing a wide variety of health services. In the face of adversity SWLA Center for Health Services is still open and serving the community.

OM-D E-M1X | M.Zuiko 7-14mm F2.8 PRO
14mm | 1/250s | F4 | ISO 200
Cowboy Stadium
Cowboy Stadium on the campus of McNeese State University better known as “The Hole” on a typical Saturday night would be filled with the sound of cowbells and fans swaying back and forth to the sound “Joli Blon” being played by The Pride of McNeese Marching Band. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic McNeese State University did not play any sports this fall semester. In addition, due to Hurricanes Laura and Delta the school had to alter their academic schedule. As well as find innovative ways to make sure all students and faculty had access to the necessary resources to finish the current fall semester. Also, despite extensive damage to athletic and academic facilities McNeese State University has full intentions of returning to campus and playing athletics in 2021. Repairs and rebuilding is currently taking place on the campus of McNeese State University.

OM-D E-M1X | M.Zuiko 7-14mm F2.8 PRO
7mm | 1/80s | F5.6 | ISO 64
Gigi’s Downtown Fitness Club
Located in the historic downtown district in Lake Charles is Gigi’s Downtown Fitness Club. It is a very popular location offering a variety of services, equipment, and amenities. They are now undergoing renovations to repair damages from both hurricanes. In addition, they plan to reopen and be back better than ever.

OM-D E-M1X | M.Zuiko 7-14mm F2.8 PRO
7mm | 1/6400s | F4.5 | ISO 8000
Mama Reta’s Kitchen
The legendary Mama Reta’s Kitchen is a black-family-owned restaurant established in 2014 was destroyed by both hurricanes similarly to many other homes and businesses. Ask anyone from Lake Charles about Mama Reta’s Kitchen and they will tell you it is where you can find the most amazing food and great people working there. Since the storms Mama Reta’s Kitchen has relocated to 6699 Johnston St. in Lafayette, Louisiana. I know firsthand that owner Reta Durgan and her family are truly some of the most amazing and generous people I have ever met.

OM-D E-M1X | M.Zuiko 7-14mm F2.8 PRO
8mm | 1/6400s | F18 | ISO 8000
Infinite Designs
Unrecognizable in this picture is Infinite Designs, a black- owned barber shop owned by Michael S. Francis who is also known as “Big Mike”. Following the storms Big Mike was spotted cutting hair in the parking lot of where his destroyed building is. He has continued to cut hair at another location and can be easily be found by simply searching Infiite Designs Unisex Hair Salon Lake Charles.

OM-D E-M1X | M.Zuiko 7-14mm F2.8 PRO
7mm | 1/1250s | F2.8 | ISO 400
Lake Charles
Many homes across the city were significantly destroyed and inhabitable. This led to many people being displaced, some in hotels, with family, tents, RVs/campers, or with no shelter at all. For weeks cellular service and Wi-Fi was horrible, oftentimes close to non-existent. As well as there was unclean water for weeks.

OM-D E-M1X | M.Zuiko 7-14mm F2.8 PRO
9mm | 1/40s | F4 | ISO 6400
Lake Charles
There was an enormous deception in the appearance of many homes across the city. Time after time houses and buildings that seemed perfect on the outside were significantly damaged on the inside. The Cross in the background states “All is Well” and is very commonly seen throughout Lake Charles.

OM-D E-M1X | M.Zuiko 7-14mm F2.8 PRO
7mm | 1/1250s | F2.8 | ISO 400
Lake Charles
Many residents made it very known to keep off and out of their property.

OM-D E-M1X | M.Zuiko 7-14mm F2.8 PRO
14mm | 1/250s | F9 | ISO 200
Lake Charles
Due to the enormous amount of destruction of property storage containers have become another common sight to see throughout the city. As well as RVs/campers setup in front of inhabitable homes and business.

OM-D E-M1X | M.Zuiko 7-14mm F2.8 PRO
14mm | 1/250s | F4 | ISO 200
Debris
Debris that once filled streets and sidewalks is still being picked up and brought to locations such as this. In the photo you can clearly see the arm of the truck placing down into the pile a bathtub. Visiting this site was very emotional seeing everyday items such as bathtubs, beds, children toys, etc…

OM-D E-M1X | M.Zuiko 40-150mm F2.8 PRO
46mm | 1/800s | F5 | ISO 8000
View From Window
For the past months, the sound and sight of construction has been constant everyday in most areas of the city. I have found myself going outside or looking out my window to see what progress has been made in my community. It is beautiful to see the city recovering and becoming better than before. Slowly but surely Lake Charles will be back.

OM-D E-M1X | M.Zuiko 7-14mm F2.8 PRO
13mm | 1/320s | F4 | ISO 200

This was only a small glimpse into Lake Charles although you can clearly see the damage that took place has created many challenges for the residents of Lake Charles. Many residents are still battling with insurance companies, trying to find housing, make the necessary repairs, and so much more.

I purposely chose to not show a single person in these series photos to symbolize how empty the city still feels. Many residents have lost some of their most valuable possessions and the city is still hurting just from the simple fact that so much has been destroyed. In addition, many residents and businesses have moved. The residents of Lake Charles are in deep need of help. There are still so many residents without basic shelters and necessities.

Despite the enormous sense of emptiness and sorrow in the city there has still been beauty in the process. People of all races, religions, and cultures came together as one to help each other. Lake Charles is making progress everyday and surely will be better than ever before.

Better days are coming.

Learn More About Logan's Project

You can follow Logan as he planned and executed his project through his three monthly blogs.

READ MONTH THREE BLOG

READ MONTH TWO BLOG

READ MONTH ONE BLOG