Campus Life Students spend Spring Break helping Hurricane survivors
By: cathyd
04/15/09
The students stood amazed at the damage that still remained almost 5 years after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans. They could have been in Florida relaxing on the beach, but instead they were on the streets of Central City New Orleans, ready to rebuild homes, lives, and a community.
“I don’t know what we’d do without ya’ll,” said Keith Mason a New Orleans resident whom Campus Life students have built a strong relationship with over the past 4 years of traveling down during spring break. Keith, living on medical disability thanked the students multiple times throughout the week for staying the course even after many other relief organizations had left the city.
In addition to working on Keith’s house, 24 students and 9 volunteers worked on 3 other homes in the Central City area of New Orleans throughout the week. The projects included hanging drywall, removing chimneys, roofing, replacing wood siding, laying wood floors, painting, caulking and demolition. Unlike a “normal” spring break, each day the students arose at 6am and put in a full day of hard work committed to completing the houses they were working on.
The reality that the help needed in New Orleans goes beyond physical restoration was evident when one team was unable to stay at their assigned work site when a drive by shooting occurred nearby that forced them to relocate to another site for the remainder of the week. Although shaken by the events that took place, the students realized that for many New Orleans residents violence of that sort is a way of life. However, Campus Life students and leaders didn’t allow this incident to lessen their commitment to the rebuilding process.
In addition to working, the students hosted a block party for residents where the students and volunteers served hot dogs and connected with families from the neighborhoods. Hearing the challenges residents face as they work to rebuild their lives brings a new level of understanding and compassion for what people have been through since the Hurricane four years ago.
“There is still a long way to go, but I am glad I was able to be part of helping New Orleans rebuild”, said Shawn Murray a senior at Downers Grove South High school. Amidst the tragedy, there is still hope in New Orleans.
The local Campus Life program is open to all students in 6-12th grades from Downers Grove, Lisle, Darien, Westmont and Woodridge. You can find out more about their programs and the trip by visiting their website at www.icampuslife.com or contacting Mike Paull @ 630.241.6721.
