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The city of New Orleans is a vibrant city that boasts some of the greatest entertainment and finest cuisine in the world. Residents welcome tourists to the city with hospitality and flair. But in 2005, Hurricane Katrina swept through New Orleans with devastating results. Eighty percent of the city flooded—much of it completely destroyed—leaving thousands of people homeless. Your group has a unique opportunity to partner with local ministries in their amazing recovery efforts. You’ll help wherever you are needed most, through work projects, children’s ministry and more.
| Date Start | Date End | Price Per | # of Available Spots | |
| 6/5/2011 | 6/10/2011 | $278.00 | 55 | Register |
| 6/12/2011 | 6/17/2011 | $278.00 | 20 | Register |
| 6/19/2011 | 6/24/2011 | $278.00 | 0 | Register |
| 6/26/2011 | 7/1/2011 | $278.00 | 25 | Register |
| 7/3/2011 | 7/8/2011 | $198.00 | 60 | Register |
| 7/10/2011 | 7/15/2011 | $278.00 | 0 | Register |
| 7/17/2011 | 7/22/2011 | $278.00 | 0 | Register |
| 7/24/2011 | 7/29/2011 | $278.00 | 60 | Register |
| 7/31/2011 | 8/5/2011 | $198.00 | 7 | Register |
Demographics
The city of New Orleans, Louisiana is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico. More than 6,000 vessels move through New Orleans annually along the Mississippi River, making it one of the world’s busiest waterways. But even more important to the city’s economy is the business of tourism. Visitors flock to New Orleans for its renowned jazz music, Mardi Gras festival and its mix of French, Creole and Cajun cuisine. The city also has more than 35,000 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, more than any other U.S. city. Many of these buildings are located in the historic French Quarter, in the heart of the city.
The hurricane season of 2005 was a devastating blow to the livelihood of every New Orleans resident. Census estimates indicate that New Orleans lost half its population between July 2005 and July 2006. An estimated 250,000 residents now live in the city, compared to over 450,000 residents before Hurricane Katrina. News coverage of Katrina exposed the world to the extreme poverty and economic segregation of the region. Before Katrina, the poverty rate in New Orleans was 23.2 percent, almost twice the national rate. Thirty-five percent of the city’s black residents were considered poor, compared to 11.5 percent of white residents. Bringing people back by rebuilding affordable housing and bringing businesses back to the city are essential to New Orleans’ restoration. Come be a part of the “voluntourism” in the New Orleans area. It will be a life-changing experience.
About the Ministry
Participants serve in a variety of ways during a YouthWorks mission trip. Students may spend all week at one ministry or switch between ministries during the week. Our goal is to partner with local organizations and programs that seek to address the very basic needs of residents. Students may serve at places like: Children’s Programs, Elderly Centers, Soup Kitchens/Homeless Shelters and Thrift Stores. We cannot confirm until all groups arrive exactly what ministries your students will be a part of during the week. We ask that you come with a willing and flexible spirit!
Activities
Evening activities during a YouthWorks week are designed to give participants insight into the lives of local residents and the culture of the area. A list of evening/cultural activities we have done in the past include: visit the French Quarter and Jackson Square; go on a community tour; attend a local church service; and participate in a community cookout. These are examples of what your group might partake in during your mission week. These examples are subject to change due to weather or availability. In case of change, suitable substitutes will be provided. We try to arrange for free evening activities, but from time to time, an additional cost may be required for an activity. Please plan to bring an additional $10 per person to cover any extra costs. We will confirm the details closer to your trip.
Ministry Week
Partnering with Local Ministries.
Mileage
The nearest airport is located in New Orleans. The Baton Rouge airport is approximately an hour and a half drive northwest.
Transportation & Travel
Each group is responsible for transportation to and from the site, and during the mission week. New Orleans can only accommodate standard 15 passenger vans or smaller.
Additional Information
If you would like more information on what there is to do in New Orleans and surrounding areas before or after your trip, check out the following Web sites: www.nola.com/tourism or www.neworleansonline.com.
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