Six Linfield College students and two staff were among 125 volunteers from around the country who spent a week volunteering in New Orleans, La. They helped restore the Ninth Ward of New Orleans, still rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. See a photo slideshow.
This is the fourth year that Linfield has sent representatives to help during Ecumenical Work Week sponsored by the American Baptist Churches Home Mission Society. Volunteers completed 53 different projects with the Center for Sustainable Engagement and Development, a grassroots organization devoted to restoring New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward. Linfield students painted, cleared property of weeds, undergrowth and debris, worked on gutters and helped with some basic electrical wiring. Students and staff noted that the infrastructure is beginning to reappear in the Ninth Ward, including a school that opened last year and a second that is preparing to open this fall, a new fire station that will open soon, and the construction of a police station.
The week-long effort combines educational experiences with hands-on work helping with the rebuilding efforts. Volunteers have the opportunity to meet and talk with local residents, learning about their struggles first-hand. They also visit exhibits about Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath, as well as learn about the environment and ecology of the delta and local area.
Those participating were: David Massey, chaplain; Dan Fergueson, director of student activities; Kayla Lisac ‘14, Brea Ribeiro ’14, Cassandra Phillipakis ‘16, Ian Cooper ‘17, Jenny Gorman ‘16 and Hannah Tokstad ’17.
