Twenty-two Union College students and two faculty mentors who recently spent a week helping out in the Katrina-ravaged area of New Orleans say their work has just begun.
“It seems unreal how fast this week went by and it's tough to digest everything we saw and did,” said Bilal Mahmood '08. “I hope we can spread the message of how much [community service] help is needed in New Orleans and around the world.”
Students experienced first-hand the difficulties facing New Orleans residents as they try to rebuild. Working side-by-side with AmeriCorps volunteers in the St. Bernard's Parish region, they gutted buildings, moved refrigerators, hung siding, removed rubbish and repaired roofs. Oftentimes, they lacked appropriate tools and manpower to do the work.
“It's tough to know where to start in the rebuilding effort when whole communities are devastated,” said Mahmood. “Even though gutting one house and working on a few new houses did nothing in the grand scheme of the rebuilding project, it seems like the only option is to start fixing things that one can fix.”
The days were long, with work beginning as early as 7 a.m.; and the nights were cold, as they soon found out. Camp Hope, a renovated elementary school in the Parish which served as their dorm and dining area, lacked both insulation and heat. So getting the requisite sleep essential for long days of toiling proved daunting in the chilly 29-degree weather.
Still, it wasn't all work.
The group took one evening during their week-long rehabilitation project to hit a local institution on Bourbon Street. The 1950s bowling alley afforded a fun evening of Rock ‘n Bowl and the zydeco dance band allowed the students to cut loose a little.
Another treat was the promise of a warm bed and heat for their final night in the Big Easy. Laura Eyman, a junior from New Orleans, arranged with her parents for the group to spend their last evening at the family's home.
Union students were charged with documenting and recording their work in the hopes of producing a core of students who will continue the efforts each year. Accompanying them were Molly S. MacElroy, assistant director of residential life; Janet P. Grigsby, visiting associate professor of sociology; and Gribsby's 23-year-old son, Matthew. Libby Johnson '08 and Meagan Keenan '09 volunteered for their second time.
The $12,000 funding for the Union trip was paid by the same anonymous Union alumnus who funded last year's efforts. Lew Dubow, father of Risa Dubow '07, donated safety goggles, masks, gloves and other essential equipment. Dubow's NYC-based hardware supply company donated equipment after 9/11, and he was eager to contribute to this year's trip.