The levee failure and subsequent flooding of New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina left 80% of this city of 450,000 people under water in late August of 2005. Now in 2008, federal aid is beginning to make its way through the many layers of bureaucracy to residents working to rebuilding their homes. The bulk of the rebuilding work, particularly for the city's most vulnerable homeowners, remains to be done. Operation Helping Hands is utilizing volunteers from across the country to help New Orleans homeowners revitalize their houses. We work with homeowners of all income levels to assist them in obtaining reconstruction bids from contractors and providing oversight of the contracted labor; navigating the complex process of applying for financial assistance; and completing work with volunteers, as the individual situation requires.
Operation Helping Hands: Helping Hands utilizes Americorps volunteers to provide on-site leadership to the crews of short-term volunteers that work with our program. Volunteers complete a wide variety of rebuilding tasks, including painting, insulation, drywall, trim and flooring. Strong applicants will have a sincere desire to help the people of New Orleans recover from the disaster of Hurricane Katrina. Some construction background would be beneficial, though training opportunities will be provided throughout the year. Helping Hands has grown quickly into one of the largest volunteer organizations in post-Katrina New Orleans and needs Americorps volunteers able to work independently and take initiative in developing a construction knowledge base. Subsidized group housing, evening meals and health insurance are provided.
Mission: Through giving an exceptional educational opportunity to at-risk students, Good Shepherd School ultimately addresses the poverty, racism, ignorance, and hopelessness prevalent in New Orleans' poorest communities. Ultimately, Good Shepherd inspires community development and gives its students to opportunity to pursue goals beyond the grip of poverty. Programs: Good Shepherd School currently educates 90 students in grades K-5th. By the fall of 2007, Good Shepherd School will have 120 students in grades K-7th. With only 15 students per class, Good Shepherd School operates an extended-day, year-round school year to ensure the development of its students. Through following the Nativity Model of education, Good Shepherd School also provides enrichment and supplemental learning activities that are often unavailable to children who live below the poverty-line. Who We Are: Good Shepherd School provides an excellent, tuition-free education to at-risk children in New Orleans to help them break free from the cycle of poverty. AmeriCorps: As a member at the Good Shepherd School you will be paired with a lead teach. In the classroom you will have the freedom to teach lessons, assist students with difficult assignments, and lead an afterschool class in many fields such as but not limited to hip- hop classes, computer science, drawing, health and much more.
Our mission at Holy Name of Mary is to help provide opportunities for students of varying backgrounds to develop in their spiritual, moral, intellectual, emotional and cultural life while at the same time addressing their physical well being. We will strive to accomplish this by integrating the teachings of the Catholic Church with the academic principles taught in the classroom. In our efforts to aid in the development of the whole child, we provide a strong basic standards-based curriculum with spiritual and moral nurturing.
AmeriCorps Members: As an AmeriCorps member at the Holy Name of Mary you will be paired up with a lead teacher. This teacher’s focus could be one of the following…
Art/Music/Spanish Enrichment Teacher: The Enrichment Teacher is responsible for teaching students weekly enrichment classes. Holy Name of Mary School is currently looking for ways to develop an Arts program and this position would assist in the development of the program. The school currently has an Art classroom and Art Club that meets after school. The individual in this position would play an integral role in the development of the after-school program as well.After school your role as an AmeriCorps member will be to assist in the after school program that includes many fun and entertaining elements within the school. This year the school is adding a Ballerina program supported by Louisiana Dance Team, Tai Kwon Do and many other programs.
After School Assistant/Tutor: The After School Assistant will work with staff in the After School Program providing tutoring in academic and social skills, core academic subjects, and supervision during recreation time. Skills in the Arts, such as Music or Dance, are welcome. The member will also tutor children individually during the day.
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