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New Orleans: Rebuilding After Disaster 10 Days
Hurricane Katrina displaced more than 600,000 people in the New Orleans area. Over 15 years later, many have still not returned home. Rebuilding efforts have been ongoing but recent natural disasters, including a January 2017 EF3 tornado, have left much work still to do. This New Orleans summer community service program for teens is an opportunity to work under the direction of Westcoast Connection, SBP and their AmeriCorps members on an active build site to directly help with the rebuilding efforts. When not restoring homes, participants on this New Orleans volunteer trip will get to explore the city daily. Take a guided Segway tour through the French Quarter, enjoy a night of cajun dinner and dancing, explore the history of civil rights and slavery and have an incredible adventure in the swamps of the bayou on an airboat alligator tour. All in all, this teen summer program offers an incredible experience: a meaningful project, a sense of community, hands-on homebuilding skills, teamwork, and fun.
The perfect balance of meaningful service projects, cultural immersion and unforgettable adventures.
Participants must be age 16 or older by the start of this program.
A certificate of completion detailing the program's service hours and projects will be issued after the trip.
Your service hours are eligible toward the President's Volunteer Service Award.
We work directly with SBP, and everybody participates together in each project.
Hotels.
Includes breakfast and dinner daily, plus 4 lunches.
Includes all recreation & activities listed.
Travel in passenger vans driven by our staff.
Up to 24 participants.
Participants will work with SBP on an active build site as part of the rebuilding efforts in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and subsequent storms. The rebuilding projects may include one or more of the following tasks: drywalling, mudding, priming, painting and/or flooring. Participants will also likely get the opportunity to meet the homeowners of the homes they are working on.
About SBP
SBP is a national organization born out of the rebuilding process of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans with the goal of shrinking the time between disaster and recovery. Since 2006, SBP has directly rebuilt homes for more than 1,300 families with the help of more than 180,000 volunteers across the country. SBP has committed to supporting long-term recovery in Louisiana and has opened an office in New Orleans to conduct operations.
This volunteer partner requires that students be 16 years old by the time of departure in order to work on this project.
Explore the French Quarter on a Segway. Indulge in delicious beignets at Café du Monde. Visit St. Louis Cathedral and the Presbytère, a museum dedicated to the disaster and recovery of Hurricane Katrina. Learn about the history of slavery and civil rights on a plantation tour. Test your nerves on a haunted history tour. Spot alligators and other wildlife on an airboat tour in the bayou. Learn how to cook traditional creole dishes and of course, enjoy the feast at our very own cooking class. Have an amazing night of traditional Cajun dinner and dancing at Mulate’s.
New Orleans, Louisiana
In the heart of everything the Big Easy has to offer and with an outdoor pool and fitness gym to help us relax, the Homewood Suites by Hilton New Orleans French Quarter is the ideal place to recharge after busy days of volunteering and having fun.
Flight to New Orleans, Louisiana
For participants on this program, we help you coordinate your flight times and greet you upon arrival in New Orleans.
Return Flight Home from New Orleans, Louisiana
For your return flight from New Orleans, our leaders help you to check-in and remain at the airport until flights at designated times have departed. Depending on the number of students from the New York area we may offer a chaperoned flight home.
Where We Stay
We carefully select clean and comfortable accommodations with the needs of our students in mind. While our volunteer programs do not stay at luxury resorts, we do know that a good night’s rest, in your own bed, is key to performing your service hours well and having enough energy to enjoy the day’s activities. For this reason, and also to maintain the close group bond and to uphold the quality of this program, we do not offer any homestays.
Meals
We are proud of the fact that year after year we are complimented for our quality and quantity of food and variety of options. On this program in New Orleans, breakfasts will be at our hotel or at restaurants. Lunches and dinners are out at restaurants.
We have satisfied the choosiest of eaters and gladly accommodate most special dietary requests including vegetarian, anaphylactic food allergies, lactose intolerance, celiac disease, and kosher style. We welcome discussing your individual requirements with you and have extensive experience in this area.
Laundry
You will only need one week’s worth of clothing as outlined in the packing list that will be sent to you prior to departure. You will have the opportunity to do laundry at your convenience by dropping off your laundry at a local wash and fold service and then pick it up clean, folded and ready to go.
What’s Included
Included in your program tuition is all lodging, breakfast and dinner daily, 4 lunches, recreation & entertainment listed, airport transfers in designated times, gratuities & taxes.
Not included is transportation to and from the program and personal spending money for snacks, souvenirs, and laundry. We also make available optional travel insurance that is not included, but highly recommended.
Please contact us with any questions. We are happy to hear from you!
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