The Trips
About New Orleans:
The state of Louisiana is divided in geographical areas known as parishes. Think of them as counties such as Bergen County, Rockland County, etc., not as church parishes as we know them up here. The city proper is in Orleans parish; the places we work and stay at, are in St Bernard parish (the major cities include; Chalmette, Arabi, Meraux & Violet) which is approximately 20 minutes from the French Quarter in the city. Nearby parishes are St Charles and Jefferson parishes.
The Temperature:
The January trip, the weather is a bit more fickle. While generally it is warmer in the day (anywhere from upper 50’s to lower 60’s) the mornings and evening tend to get cooler (40’s to 50’s) and winter rain is not uncommon.
The May trip may have much warmer temperatures and be very humid and not much in the way of the big differences in morning and evening temperatures. Think late June back home (70's to 80's). Late May Trip (think 80's to 90"s)
The October trip, the weather should be similar to New Jersey and New York.
The Work:
The most important thing about being at work in rebuilding New Orleans is the relationship with the people whose homes we are helping to rebuild. Listening to them is the best thing we can do. If they are talking about their experiences, be present for them and their stories.
It will be nice to discover all that you are able to do. Most of us are unskilled workers. The people from St Bernard Project will train us and work with us to do the best job for the homeowner. The motto is not to do it as if it is your own house, or even your parent’s house, think that you are doing it for your grandmother and grandfather: with that mindset, we kind of go out of our way to make it as perfect as we can.
The Trip Costs:
Generally, the airfare is about $300 and room and board costs are $25 per day (some food may be extra), which brings the total expense is $500. Additionally, you may want to bring some spending money, as we usually have at least one evening at the French Quarter (optional) and sometimes you may want to enjoy a dinner or two away from your lodging. Breakfast and Dinner at the location where you are being housed, usually lunch is provided if you want to make it and bring it in a brown bag. Most hit the local eateries for lunch. Depending on the group most of the dinners may be eaten out. (optional)
The Trip Overview:
We have week long trips to New Orleans currently running in January and May and there is also a Women’s Build Week in October. Many people attend, from college age teens to grandmothers and seniors. ALL ARE WELCOME!!!
In general, after signing up, the handling of all the details of getting ready occurs through the efforts of the teams who organize behind the scenes. An orientation is held a week or two prior to the trip so that everyone feels comfortable and knowledgeable about the trip specifics.
We gather and leave from the church parking lot and are driven to the airport to fly down to New Orleans. In New Orleans, we secure vans and cars for use during the week we are there.
We are assigned our work for the week by St Bernard Project, a not-for-profit organization who has an organized building taskforce that is situated in the St Bernard Parish area. We usually have a quick orientation at their offices on the first day of work. They have on-site supervisors at each job site.
We perform many different types of jobs, including sheetrocking, mudding (spackling) and taping, sanding, painting and clean-up. We are trained in all the work we are doing by the on-site supervisors who are also around to assist us in performing the tasks correctly. All tools are provided.
At the end of the week, we fly home and are picked up at the airport and returned to the church parking lot.
WHAT TO PACK:
ONLY ONE piece of checked luggage*! We are limited by space capacity in the vans and cars. Large wheeled duffels seem to work well.
LINENS - Single bed sheets, a blanket and/or a sleeping bag, depending on what month you travel, and your own pillow.
TOWELS - You may want to bring 2 towels, if there is room.
TOILETRIES - You will need all the basics, soap, shampoo etc... BRING ADVIL!!!
WORK BOOTS - This is highly recommended but not required. Sneakers are allowed, BUT not recommended. You need a THICK sole to protect your feet, in case there are nails, screws etc...laying around on your work sites grounds. 99% of the previous volunteers have brought/borrowed/purchased work boots.
WORK GLOVES - This is highly recommended but not required as well. You will wear them and you will need them, but there have been some sites in the past, where St. Bernard Project (SBP), has provided them as well. The choice is yours. If you choose to bring them, it is suggested that you write your initials on them in a permanent marker prior to leaving for your trip.
SAFETY GOGGLES - This is highly recommended but not required as well. Depending on what is needed on your work site, i.e., sheetrocking, insulating, sanding etc...you will most likely be wearing them and so you will need them, but there have been some sites in the past, where SBP, has provided them as well. The choice is yours. If you choose to bring them, it is suggested that you write your initials on them in a permanent marker prior to leaving for your trip.
MASKS - Disposable masks are provided and required, when doing sanding. If you have allergies or asthma, you may want to bring a respirator type mask.
BASEBALL CAP, HAT or BANDANA - Basically something to cover your head from any miscellaneous debris in the air i.e., sheetrock, insulation, dust particles etc...
OLD CLOTHES - You WILL get messy! Bring clothes you will not be upset about getting destroyed. Work clothes are usually worn more than once :-)
In May - bring one lightweight long sleeved shirt – in case you will be doing insulation work.
In January - bring clothes you can layer (fleece, sweatshirts, etc.) so you can dress warmly and remove as the day heats up.
FLIP FLOPS - Great and essential for showering purposes!
ZIP-LOC BAGS - Great to hold your showering toiletries in when you go to and from the showers.
KITCHEN GARBAGE BAG(s) - Great for putting your dirty laundry in. There is a laundry facility, where you are staying. The laundry is free, but they ask for a donation so that they can buy soap etc.
WATER BOTTLE - A sports bottle or equal, labeled with your name or initials on it. Although, water is available at the work site, it always good to have your own.
PURELL/HAND WIPES - You can never have enough of this, especially coming off a work site at the end of the day, where typically there may not have running water.
CAMERA - Don't miss out on the opportunity to get some pictures and share your experience with your friends and family when you return home. Usually everyone has a camera on their cell phone and if you would like to share your pictures with us we can upload them to our web site. ( We like pictures of people working and we would like to be able to identify them)
*There usually is an opportunity and a place to leave everything you don't want to bring back, i.e., boots, towels, clothes, sheets etc., at your lodging residence.