2008 Service Trip to New Orleans

After a group reflection last night, a few important questions were raised by students about issues/topics that we encountered –

Why wasn’t I here 2 ½ years ago?. Why are areas like St. Bernard Parish not a focus for volunteering programs if they are the areas that have the most damage? Why are we having a difficult time finding volunteer opportunities if there is still so much need? Why is there disorganization amongst many of the agencies still 2 ½ years later? If everyone is focused on rebuilding, who is volunteering at common community organizations similar to those in Winston-Salem?

Our group was split in half between City Park and The Community Center of St. Bernard Parish. We began work at City Park with little background to the history of the Hurricane and its relationship to the area. We did a lot of maintenance and weeding to an area that is central to the park’s revenue and a beautiful main attraction. Halfway through the day, the head of City Park informed us that the area had been flooded with over two feet of water for three weeks, killing all of the trees, flowers, and grass. Many banquets and weddings are held in this area and these special occasions are one of the leading ways revenue is collected for the entire park. The City Park director’s information also helped reinforce what it means to be a volunteer. She expressed that thousands of volunteers have traveled to New Orleans this year imagining themselves building a house with hammer and nail in hand. But the present need is more related to maintenance and detail work for the upkeep of these aesthetic gardens. Hearing her insight allowed us to find more purpose in our work, and also sparked conversation amongst our group to think about how we might keep an open mind with our volunteer opportunities throughout the rest of the week.

The group that worked with the Community Center had a powerful experience in that they were exposed to one of the more visibly affected areas from the storm. St. Bernard Parish is the only U.S. County in the span of history that was 100% under water. The community center acts as a networking resource that serves the needs of the local people. Similar to a food bank, the center provides non-perishable food items as well as clothes for those residents that qualify. The distribution coordinator provided us with information about the incredible need in the St. Bernard Parish. Stephen, a local resident, gave his personal experience as a victim of Hurricane Katrina. His loss included his home, possessions, and his wife. He has now dedicated his life to rebuilding his own community. He told us that he felt like the volunteers were the true heroes of the storm. This empowered our group to become more motivated to serve our own local community of Winston-Salem.