Books on the Bayou

Norma Graham is a legendary RIF Coordinator. Her dedication to her community and the children she serves is truly a wonder to behold. Not only did she survive Hurricane Katrina’s wrath, but she ensured the survival of her RIF program as well. A retired teacher of 34 years, Graham is a Coordinator for RIF’s Gulf Coast Community Action Program. After having received an emergency contract extension from RIF, Norma held her first post Katrina RIF distribution on the beleaguered Gulf Coast in February 2006. With joyous intonations she recalled the children’s delight at the distribution, “They were so happy to see the books, and very anxious to choose their own book.” Many of those youngsters would soon be gone from Gulf Port. Of the few possessions that they took with them were the books that they received at the first post-Katrina book distribution on the Gulf Coast.