I am going to New Orleans, by the way....
....for a week to do recovery work with a group of 11 students.
We'll be working with the Common Ground Collective, gutting houses.
I am a bit frightened and pretty excited. Although I initiated this project after being inspired by a series of events, I didn't think I would be the trip leader. Three other staff were interested, but had to drop out one by one. So, I still can't believe I leave in less than a week! (We fly out Saturday, October 14th and return Saturday, October 21st.)
I am hopeful that we will be part of a movement of people who are saying to the region, "You are not forgotten."
Common Gound alone has in the last year hosted and organized 10,000 volunteers, yet I am astounded at how much work there still is to be done.
I have been thinking a lot about why I am doing this. In part, it is simply about helping out fellow human beings, about hoping that someone would come help me if my entire community were washed away. But it goes beyond that. Every time thoughtful folks write or talk about the region, New Orleans in particular, I am reminded of the institutional racism and classism that turned a natural disaster into a tragedy. It wasn't the hurricanes that destroyed the city, it was the levees braking and the lack of Infrastructure--on so many levels. So, I am also going, and working with this organization in particular, to be a voice for social justice.
Well wishes, prayers, etc. are very welcomed......Also, you can donate to Common Ground or to many other worthy organizations doing work in the region if are looking for a way to help that involves getting less dirty.
We'll be working with the Common Ground Collective, gutting houses.
I am a bit frightened and pretty excited. Although I initiated this project after being inspired by a series of events, I didn't think I would be the trip leader. Three other staff were interested, but had to drop out one by one. So, I still can't believe I leave in less than a week! (We fly out Saturday, October 14th and return Saturday, October 21st.)
I am hopeful that we will be part of a movement of people who are saying to the region, "You are not forgotten."
Common Gound alone has in the last year hosted and organized 10,000 volunteers, yet I am astounded at how much work there still is to be done.
I have been thinking a lot about why I am doing this. In part, it is simply about helping out fellow human beings, about hoping that someone would come help me if my entire community were washed away. But it goes beyond that. Every time thoughtful folks write or talk about the region, New Orleans in particular, I am reminded of the institutional racism and classism that turned a natural disaster into a tragedy. It wasn't the hurricanes that destroyed the city, it was the levees braking and the lack of Infrastructure--on so many levels. So, I am also going, and working with this organization in particular, to be a voice for social justice.
Well wishes, prayers, etc. are very welcomed......Also, you can donate to Common Ground or to many other worthy organizations doing work in the region if are looking for a way to help that involves getting less dirty.