Yes! Absolutely! Emphatically, yes!

As of August 2008, 71,000 homes in New Orleans need to be rehabilitated. Since Katrina, homelessness has doubled to 12,000 people and just 34% of Orleans Parish Public Schools have re-opened. Only 11% of families have returned to live in the Lower Ninth Ward. * While it's been a year and there has been some change, not enough has changed.

Universally, Katrina survivors rely upon volunteers to bring a sense of hope, commerce, and invigorating energy to the Gulf Coast, and now, because the media focus has changed, volunteer numbers are dwindling.

There are many ways to contribute: people are needed to gut and build homes and help fill out paperwork for elderly/disabled people; lawyers are needed to assist the many people who have been defrauded by shady contractors; engineers are needed to advise on rebuilding; medical professionals are needed to assist with general and emergency care; educators are needed to re-staff schools.

Whatever skill set you have, you can bet that it is needed so please volunteer if you have the time and resources to do so.

  * Statistical data was gathered from the Greater New Orleans Community Data Center's 2008 Katrina Pain Index.

For the purposes of New Orleans: A Labor of Love, a host organization is the entity with which you volunteer. 

Don't worry. Many of the organizations that are rebuilding homes will train you! To date, these organizations have worked with thousands of volunteers – skilled and unskilled. In many cases, a staff person manages each job site to ensure that volunteers work safely, have appropriate tools and follow construction protocols. We advise that you discuss safety and training with the organizations to which you’d like to give your time. If you are not interested in construction work there are plenty of other projects that need your help. 

There are many options for food and lodging, depending upon your tastes and finances.

 Low-cost options include:

  •staying at a hostel (approximately $20/night);

•staying in a low-cost hotel (approximately $50/night for 2 full beds, depending upon the season, last minute deals or in advance purchase);

•lodging through your host organization (see their respective guidelines to determine if they offer lodging and/or food);

•staying with a host family;

•sleeping in a converted space for volunteers like a school or a church (price varies according to facility).

Post-Katrina, lots of volunteers have stayed at Camp Hope, where for $25/night you get a cot and 3 meals. Other low-cost food options include making arrangements with local churches or schools to cook meals for you if you’re traveling with a group.

If your host organization has a volunteer coordinator, (s)he should be able to make recommendations.

We advise that you work with your host organization to determine where you will work and that you be flexible so that you can go where you are truly needed. Your host organization can advise you about travel accommodations. Some  host organizations offer transportation to and from the volunteer site (for free or for a nominal fee). You may want to rent a vehicle or choose a hotel that is close to your volunteer site.

We also recommend that you explore New Orleans Regional Transit Authority – they have cost-effective trolleys and buses.

And, of course, there are always taxi cabs.

A few host organizations provide lodging and/or meals for a nominal fee. However, many do not. Post-Katrina, lots of volunteers have stayed at Camp Hope, where for $25/night you get a cot and 3 meals. Other low-cost food options include making arrangements with local churches or schools to cook meals for you if you’re traveling with a group.

If your host organization has a volunteer coordinator, (s)he should be able to make recommendations.

Some sites may provide water. However, we advise that you always carry at least half a gallon of water with you to your work site and partake often to prevent dehydration, especially during the summer months.

From March to November it’s usually hot and humid but there is never a guarantee. Please check www.weather.com for the latest forecast.

Yes! Most organizations work with both individuals and groups.  Depending upon your group size, your host organization may divide your group for assignments. This can be a good thing since individuals in your group have different interests.

No. You should be wary of any host organization that intends to charge you a fee to volunteer, although some may charge a fee for food and lodging. Please report any organizations that want to charge you to volunteer to the volunteer scams section of our site.

Possibly. Please check with your host organization about age minimums. Some organizations accept children as young as 13 years-old. The more common age minimum is 16 years-old. Of course, they must be accompanied by an adult at all times while volunteering.

For elders and those with physical disabilities, there are no restrictions; however, in some instances, there may be physical requirements that you must meet in order to take on certain assignments.  The latter requirements are in place to insure your safety.

Rest assured, there is plenty to do and we will assist you with finding the best access point to support your commitment to rebuilding the Gulf Coast.