Ethel J. Fletcher

Ethel J. Fletcher moved to the Lower 9th Ward with her husband, Theodore Fletcher, Sr., in 1956 where they raised their son and two daughters. “I thought my neighborhood was a good neighborhood,” said Ms. Fletcher. “I never had any trouble. My neighbors were friendly and I was friendly.”

Mr. Fletcher passed away five months before Hurricane Katrina tore through the Gulf Coast and Ms. Fletcher evacuated to a shelter in Natchitoches, LA with her daughter Kathleen Fletcher-Carey and family. She returned six weeks following the storm. “That was the earliest they would let people back into the area,” said Fletcher-Carey.

After she returned, Ms. Fletcher began hearing about Make It Right and the opportunities the program afforded Lower 9th Ward residents in the media and from people in her neighborhood. Ms. Fletcher wanted to learn more about the program first-hand, so she scheduled an appointment with Make It Right representatives.

“Make It Right seemed legitimate compared to other programs,” said Ms. Fletcher. “A lot of people would get your money and rip you off. With Make It Right, you feel like you’re dealing with friendly family people and that’s important when you’re spending a lot of money.”

According to Ms. Fletcher, she chose to work with Make It Right in large part because of the staff. “I’m a hard critic, but their professionalism is so outstanding,” said Ms. Fletcher.

Ms. Fletcher selected a three bedroom home designed by Billes Architecture. She says it was her number one choice because it was the best design. “It was up high so I could drive my car underneath it, and it has a front and back porch,” said Ms. Fletcher. “I’ve always wanted a back porch.”
Ms. Fletcher is set to return home in April.

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