New Orleans - Volunteer Connections
Three months ago I finally made the move to begin volunteer work in New Orleans. A group called the "Weekend Warriors" from our UU church had been heading there since post Katrina to help out. I had been sitting on my urge to do something until Michael shared the need for volunteers during a service. I was moved to act, signed up, and within a week made my first trip to New Orleans as a volunteer.
Here begins my tribute to the people brave and proud enough to ask for help and the volunteers able to find the time and energy to do the work. I have been inspired from the start, and leave our monthly visits with more than dirty hands and an aching body. The time spent working with everyone fills my heart with hope, commitment, and connections. There is just SO much work to be done, overwhelmingly so, but with the determination and dedication of the New Orlean soul and the involvement of others, recovery can occur step by step.
I've taken my camera with me every time and can't help but to take pictures of the people that I'm with. I really hope that the images will give voice to the region and the people.
Let me introduce a few New Orleans citizens that I feel I can call friends.
Danielle
The first person I got to help. It was a day of heat, weeds, and wonderful stories about her family.
Jolie with Lee, a contractor from Virginia
Jolie's gutted house has more character than many well lived-in homes.
Augusta
Her home was covered with 18 ft. of water. She is now gutting the one she used to rent in NO so she'll be able to live there. When I asked her for permission to publish her photo, she didn't hesitate to say yes. She hopes that others will be able to get involved and help New Orleans.
Hope
Here are my friends that I volunteer with from our church. There's lots of love and power inside of them.
Michael
Nancy
Mark
Karen
Jim
Jeanne, a NO resident, friend of Augusta
Augusta with Shirley
Irene (Boo!)
We did it!
Post-weeder Laura at Jolie's
Here begins my tribute to the people brave and proud enough to ask for help and the volunteers able to find the time and energy to do the work. I have been inspired from the start, and leave our monthly visits with more than dirty hands and an aching body. The time spent working with everyone fills my heart with hope, commitment, and connections. There is just SO much work to be done, overwhelmingly so, but with the determination and dedication of the New Orlean soul and the involvement of others, recovery can occur step by step.
I've taken my camera with me every time and can't help but to take pictures of the people that I'm with. I really hope that the images will give voice to the region and the people.
Let me introduce a few New Orleans citizens that I feel I can call friends.
Danielle
The first person I got to help. It was a day of heat, weeds, and wonderful stories about her family.
Jolie with Lee, a contractor from Virginia
Jolie's gutted house has more character than many well lived-in homes.
Augusta
Her home was covered with 18 ft. of water. She is now gutting the one she used to rent in NO so she'll be able to live there. When I asked her for permission to publish her photo, she didn't hesitate to say yes. She hopes that others will be able to get involved and help New Orleans.
Hope
Here are my friends that I volunteer with from our church. There's lots of love and power inside of them.
Michael
Nancy
Mark
Karen
Jim
Jeanne, a NO resident, friend of Augusta
Augusta with Shirley
Irene (Boo!)
We did it!
Post-weeder Laura at Jolie's
posted by aina at 9:10 AM
10 Comments:
You guys look like a hard working bunch :)
Donna, that's really a great idea and I thank you very,very much. We go down once a month, and I've been three times already. I'm backtracking to try to get something shared about each visit, and I also plan to share each future visit too.
Alicia, this past weekend was my first time with the house gutting crew so the work was definitely more challenging. Your ninja skills would have been awesome to help kick out remaining boards. :)
you have done wonderfully irene. may these blogs inspire many to join you. you have been such an inspiration to me.
thanx, and stay close,
sammi
Thank you very much for sharing photos.
You are great that you were there as volunteer.
I think that if I could go there to help people in New Orleans..
Yumi
Even if you aren't here with me, I take your wishes and support every time I go. Thank you. :)
Irene, you're a real treasure.
Love
Tina
(and yes, I'll be a regular visitor :-))
I'm somewhat in awe of you and the work you are doing. You are a very special person Irene.
Jacquie
Irene..looove it here :) Thanxs for the full report...and the picies...congratulations on being part of this project of re consctruction...it's really amazing :) hugs
Your fruitcake blessings are so heartwarming...great to see you and thanks for being here with me and the Gulf. :)
Your words...treasure, awe, inspiration, amazing...that's how I feel about the people that we're working with and the volunteer team. Imagine that there are thousands of others like them doing their best to have a sense of pride, confidence, and stability. That's what keeps me going...
great job guys!
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