New Orleans, Louisiana

This past Alternative Spring Break (ASB) 2008 we traveled to New Orleans for the 2nd year.  Last year our group worked on gutting out homes in order that they may be rebuilt.  Now this year we once again did some tear down work but we also were a part of the rebuild process through the Providence Community Housing Organization which is an affiliate of Operation Helping Hands. We had an opportunity to learn about the culture, history and what is going on now in New Orleans as well as hear stories from locals in the area.  A memorable trip!

Our participants this year were Laura Farrand (Nursing), Lindsay Greschak (Biology), Lu Lin (Chemistry), Catherine "Logan" (JV/Campus Minister),  Judith Mouch RSM(Assistant Professor, Nursing), Jeff Naeger (Nursing), Lauren Roney(Bio/Pre-Dent), Liao Shih-Chieh (Electrical Engineering) and Brittney Willis (Nursing).

Student Quote:

"After the hurricane attacked New Orleans over two and a half years ago, many houses were damaged, and needed to be rebuilt....If everyone works hard, gives out his or her hands, the world will get better and it may be close to a place which we call paradise."
~ Lu Lin ~ (ASB 2008) 

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Providence Community Housing Mission:

Providence Community Housing was formed shortly after Hurricane Katrina with the mission of fostering healthy, diverse, and vibrant communities by developing, operating, and advocating for affordable, mixed-income housing, supportive services, and employment opportunities for individuals, families, seniors, and people with special needs.

Providence Community Housing's Goal:

 Repair and rebuild 1,500 affordable apartments for seniors
Repair and rebuild 1,200 homes for the most vulnerable
Develop 500 units of supportive housing for special needs populations
Develop 2,600 mixed-income aparments
Develop 1,200 affordable homes

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For more information contact:
Catherine Logan
University Minister/Jesuit Volunteer
Logance@udmercy.edu
313-993-1560

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 Related Links:

Providence Community Housing
www.providencech.org 

Operation Helping Hands
www.catholiccharities-no.org/programs.htm

Catholic Charities of New Orleans
http://www.catholiccharities-no.org/