When Hurrican Katrina struck in August 2005, Melba Leggett-Barnes saw her whole life washed away. "Everything I had in the world we lost," she tells Life & Style. "I mean everything. All I had left were two pairs of shorts, one pair of underwear, a pair of slippers, a purse and a suitcase with some important papers in it."

Enter Brad Pitt — and his Make It Right Foundation, which builds environmentally sound homes for the hardest-hit residents of New Orleans. With their help, Melba's desperation and loss turned to hope.

For more on the inspiring story of how Brad's foundation helped Melba pull her life back together, pick up the latest issue of Life & Style, on newsstands now!

Photo Credit: Reuters/Landov