A passion for helping others
I first heard about Wake Alternative Break (WAB) through Volunteer Service Corps where I am a member of the advisory board. I heard that they were in the process of deciding on trip locations and New Orleans was one of the places that had been mentioned. I approached the WAB trip coordinator and asked her if I could head up the trip. She agreed, saying that I was free to do what I wanted with it, since the trip was a relatively new one.
I have personal ties to the city in that my mom is from there, and half of my family was affected by the Hurricane. I was in school while Katrina was going on and couldn’t really do much because of it. My mom kept me updated daily about our family to let me know what was going on and if everyone was okay. In deciding to lead this service trip, I saw it as an opportunity to not only actively get involved to rebuild a city that was once so unique and culturally diverse, but to also share my passion for this city and passion to impact lives with other people over Spring Break.
I contacted Relief Spark (the organization that our group will be working with in New Orleans), I was contacted by a girl named Katharine Wesley who also wanted to help out. I agreed, knowing that leading a trip like this would be daunting task for just one person to take on.