Does anyone have experience with volunteering in NO?

[bicentennial_baby]

As in, helping the rebuilding, etc? Reputable organizations and such?

Thanks!! :hi:

[EFerrari]

1. in_the_flow might be able to help.

:)

[bicentennial_baby]

2. OK, cool...I also sent a PM to Swampy

:hi:

:loveya:

[noamnety]

3. I worked with Emergency Communities in Buras

http://www.emergencycommunities.org/

Everyone I know who worked with them loved them.

I interviewed the kids I brought down at the end of the week, not sure if you are thinking of going with students or not. Anyway even if you don't watch the whole thing, you can have a look around at the facilities we were in.
http://www.veoh.com/videos/v418797pFQaNnq7

If you go to an area that's not in NO directly, ask specific questions about what they need. We were there last spring, and I wish I'd realized they had to go back to NO to get anything near decent prices on bulk food, and some of the food they had in the distribution center was not what appealed to the local population. If the residents of an area are immigrants used to a rice diet and all the center is providing is macaroni and cheese, they'll take it, but it's not the same. We drove down, and if I'd known, I'd have bought a bunch of bags of rice to donate - such a simple thing, but they couldn't really get it at the time where they were.

[bicentennial_baby]

4. Thanks so much!!

I'm actually a Senior in college, Econ major, and I want to go after this semester (I'm staying in another year).

Great advice, you're the best! :pals:

[rmcglew3]

10. EC in Buras

My son and I volunteered at the Buras site for a total of 3 weeks during Thanksgiving and Christmas of 2006. A great place to take high-school kids to give them perspective.

I really liked the video, especially the comments from the kids. It helps to tell the story.

Alas, Emergency Communities is no more. They closed that site at the end of June, and concentrated on their Ninth-Ward site. That too closed at the end of last year and EC has faded into the mists of history. I know the web site still is looking for volunteers but you have to look at the blog to tell what is really happening. LowerNinth.org has picked up the slack and might be able to provide some guidence.

[intheflow]

5. Hi bi-baby!

Here are the two places I can recommend because I know the organizations pretty well:

Hands On New Orleans: http://www.handsonneworleans.org/AboutUs/index.php/volunteerOpportunities.htm
I stayed at Hands On in Biloxi, MS when I was first down there doing recovery work. I stayed with the NOLA Hands On a couple times, they had bunk beds with air mattresses as I recall. Hands On is a secular organization and you can do anything from rebuilding to working with children or cooking for the camp. I'm in my 40's but most of the short-term volunteers were in their 20's. There was usually good music playing and a very laid back atmosphere. Hands On is a national organization that's working out of NOLA and ask for a donation of $20 a day to provide food, and pay for gas and overhead. All tools, safety gear and building materials are provided by corporate sponsors (just FYI if you have a problem with Home Depot or something).

Moving Forward Gulf Coast: http://movingforwardgc.org/17501.html
This is a local grass-roots organization out of Slidell (20 minutes outside NOLA, but where the eye of the storm passed over). You'd be staying with a family, probably Creole, who'd also provide your food. It's unclear from their website if they require any money to work with them. The Executive Director is super-cool and wicked smart, so I know she'll put you to good use (though maybe not rebuilding) and hook you up with nice folks to stay with. All materials are donated by community members and relief organizations.

The only other secular places I can think of are:

Habitat for Humanity: http://www.habitat-nola.org/volunteer/index.php
I only know what they say on their website, but it looks like you can get lodging for $150/week ($30/day) at an elementary school turned into a volunteer camp. You need to buy all your own food.

Common Ground: http://www.commongroundrelief.org/
The most grass roots group, but it looks like (from their web site) they may be filled up the week you're looking to go down, and they might be only looking for skilled labor. But check out the site anyway, I'm only skimming it to give you some basic info.

ACORN: http://www.acorn.org/index.php?id=9943
Their volunteer page doesn't say anything about lodging or food, but you could always ask them.

Good luck finding housing and work, and thank your pointy little head for wanting to go down and help. :hug:

[bicentennial_baby]

7. Oh you are wonderful!!!

I am SO going! These links are magnificent, you have helped me so much, you have no idea. :hug:

[JackBeck]

6. We partnered with NO/AIDS Task Force.

http://www.noaidstaskforce.org/

Others have also offered some great orgs in this thread.

I can't wait to hear about your experience.

[bicentennial_baby]

8. Thank you baby!!

:loveya:

I will report back, most def. :hug:

[bicentennial_baby]

9. Kick!

:)