While visiting Louisiana in the spring of 2008, documentary filmmaker Patricia Federico became captivated by the Katrina stories still being told by the residents who survived the storm. Inspired by their struggles to overcome a catastrophic disaster, the loss of life, and the separation of their families, Ms Federico founded ‘peace out productions’ to create a unique and moving film based on these courageous and often harrowing experiences. In ‘Survival Strength Starting Over’, residents take the spotlight and give their personal accounts of what happened to them before, during and after the hurricane – and of the struggles still facing them as they try to rebuild what the levee breaches destroyed.

With the voices of restaurant owners, nurses, volunteer workers, school children, firemen and other citizens who withstood the hurricane, ‘Survival Strength Starting Over’ tells the gritty stories of those who lived through the destruction of hurricane Katrina and how they will forever feel her effects. Katrina survivors tell their own stories, in their words, from their mouths, in their homes, within their communities.

There is no charge for either showing of the film. Both screenings are open to the public and no reservations are necessary. Part of all proceeds from screenings, DVD, and merchandise sales will be donated to the Community Center of St. Bernard (www.ccstb.org) to help this 501c3 non- profit organization feed, cloth and provide assistance to those who are still working to rebuild their lives and their communities on the fourth anniversary of Katrina.