CONTACT: Travis at (541) 556-2955
Minimum Time Commitment: varies between 2 weeks and 6 weeks
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
It's happening in the 9th Ward of New Orleans! The vital
primary steps in the long road to rebuilding New Orleans are
being taken. These steps, however small, furtive, and
difficult, are a critical affirmation of hope in the face of
incomprehensible devastation. For families trying to return to
their homes, the removal of destroyed belongings and the
gutting of their houses is the first step in the rebuilding of
their lives and communities.
Eight months post-Katrina the need for help with these first basic steps is greater than ever. Families are scattered across the country without the means to return. There is a shortage of resources in the way of temporary housing, aid and infrastructure to assist in this difficult process. A recent city council resolution mandating that houses be gutted and boarded up by August 29th or face seizure and demolition adds urgency to the task at hand. Less than half of the houses in the 9th ward have been gutted to date, and the heat of the summer season is upon us.
House gutting in New Orleans in the summer is not for the feint of heart! It will require waking up at 4:00 a.m. each morning and going to bed at 8:00 p.m. every evening. The work is rigorous and physically taxing. Volunteers will be subject to extreme heat, physical discomfort, and high expectations of conduct and responsibility. Volunteers should be prepared to co-exist peaceably in a hot and crowded communal living environment.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:
Skilled volunteers
• Project managers - oversee the house gutting project in the
upper 9th ward. You will be responsible for assigning leaders
to crews and crews to neighborhood project areas. They will
also be responsible for a myriad of tasks ranging from lunch
delivery coordination to community relations to strategic
planning and documentation of progress. Experience in
administration and management a must. Three (3) project
managers needed for a minimum time requirement of 6 weeks.
• Community Liaison & House Gutting Coordinators - work
directly with the residents in a neighborhood grouping of
roughly nine blocks. In cooperation with the residents in
their assigned areas. You will be responsible for the
direction of work crews. These positions will require
excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational
skills. Experience in management and public relations will be
helpful. Ten (10) community liaison/house gutting coordinators
needed for a minimum time requirement of 6 weeks.
• Gutting crew leaders - experience in building and in some
form of leadership is necessary. Thirty (30) gutting crew
leaders needed for a minimum time commitment of 1 month.
• Skilled labor – any and all skilled carpenters,
electricians, plumbers, etc. are welcome and needed.
General volunteers
• House Gutters - must be physically fit and enthusiastic. A
positive attitude and
flexibility will be critical this summer as we work under
increasingly difficult conditions. 300 house-gutters needed
for a minimum time commitment of 2 weeks.
Application process for all volunteers: Anyone interested in being a project manager or community liaison/coordinator should call Travis at (541) 556-2955. Everyone should register on line and indicate any skills that you bring.