The April 27, 2011 tornadoes left communities like Pratt City in a state of devastation. Entire neighborhoods that had once thrived were no longer. More than 8,200 residents were suddenly impacted and what remained were questions about where the community would go next.

What makes a community strong is its people. And over the past four years, the people of Pratt City have worked together to turn it into a more thriving community.

Pastor T.L. Lewis and the congregation of Bethel Baptist Church have helped since the moment the storm passed.

Here’s a look at Bethel Baptist Church after the deadly April 2011 tornadoes touched down.

“Our church building was completely destroyed but the church itself is not the building, it’s the people. Our first priority as a church was to make sure those who had lost everything and were homeless, did not become hopeless,” Lewis said.

Along with Birmingham Mayor William Bell’s office and the Birmingham Board of Education, Lewis and his congregation set up a disaster relief center at Scott School. The center served residents in need for the next two years.

The restoration support work continues for Lewis. “We are continuing the partnerships through the city, county and neighborhoods. The people of Pratt City love this community and have come back whole-heartedly. With a lot of hard work, we are going to continue to move forward,” Lewis said.

“Our church building was completely destroyed but the church itself is not the building, it’s the people.” ~Pastor T. L. Lewis, Bethel Baptist Church

Birmingham’s Department of Community Development has launched initiatives and is implementing grants to not only restore Pratt City but to revive it. Overall the city has invested $24 million.

Pratt City is a pilot for a state program, R.I.S.E., (Removing Blight, Increasing Values, Strengthening Neighborhoods, Empowering Residents) a neighborhood stabilization program consisting of blight removal, land banking, code enforcement and preserving the wealth of communities.

The progress R.I.S.E. has spurred has been recognized by Harvard University for addressing community challenges. Pratt City has replaced the library, fire station, 46 senior housing units and is in the process of building 86 more apartments.

New opportunities after the storm

“Out of devastation comes opportunity,” said Amber Courtney of the Department of Community Development. “The people of Pratt have a sense of camaraderie and want to see it progress and want to design the community to attract young people as well.”

Through the IBM Smarter Cities Challenge, Pratt City received a grant to identify problems in the community. Out of this grant, it was identified among the 80 percent of Birmingham communities qualifying as a “food desert” for residents. Starting April 27, mobile food trucks will be traveling in the area to offer fresh food. Other initiatives will address some of the problems of food and security in the area.

“Pratt City is more resilient than other communities. We want to take this model and see it in other communities across the city,” said Courtney.

Alabama Power’s Tricia Johnson is working to make an impact in her community. She serves as the current football commissioner for the A. G. Gaston Boys and Girls Club.

As organizations work to revitalize Pratt City, individuals, too, are making an impact. For Tricia Johnson, a resident of Smithfield Estates, the path of restoration became more than that of her physical home.

“That day was a turning point for me. It was the start of my journey of helping,” said Johnson.

Johnson, formerly of Dothan, had been a community activist before moving to Birmingham in 2008. Prior to the tornadoes, she had yet to find the avenues to get connected with her new community.

“I have always believed that the greatest impact you can make is in your neighborhood, impacting your community and the families that live in it,” said Johnson.

After moving back into her apartment in Pratt City, Johnson became active in the neighborhood association. She attended meetings regularly and upon the restoration of her apartment building, wanted to continue to be involved. Johnson is now secretary of the association and enjoys getting to know her neighbors better.

“I wanted to move back to this community because it is a nice community, the people are hospitable and they are great neighbors,” said Johnson.

Johnson took her love of working with children to heart and now serves as the football commissioner at A.G. Gaston Boys & Girls Club. She was the assistant commissioner for two years before her current role.

For Pratt City, recovery and revitalization have been a community effort, and its residents are anticipating a bright future.

–Allison Westlake