Katrina Corps

Dear Eric and Katrina Corps staff,

I am a preschool director who recently had one week off in June prior to the start of our summer program. Since my life tends to be very hectic as a single mom with a full-time career, I often look for places to go on my vacation that are relaxing so I can de-stress from the school year. However, having had a year filled with much drama, I decided to look for something different as I felt the need to bring some perspective back into my life and I thought volunteering might be the way to do this. I came across your organization through volunteermatch.com and decided the opportunity that was presented to help schools in New Orleans get ready for returning students was particularly interesting to me and would allow me to give back to the educational community. The age range of volunteers also allowed me to bring my teenage son along as well and offered him the opportunity to connect with people outside of his life in San Francisco and put in some community service hours for high school credits.

During the week we spent with Katrina Corps, we had the opportunity to work in the New Orleans area on two gutting and restoration projects -one outside of the city and one in the lower 9th ward. We also helped beautify a school in the city that had not had flooding but was well-used and in need of some tender loving care. It was all extremely exhausting, hard, hot work but was well balanced with outings in the evenings to have fantastic meals and hear great music. I somehow came back from the trip feeling very refreshed, rejuvenated and emotionally at peace more than I ever have from one of my relaxing vacations! My goal was to lend a hand and hopefully, help my son get a new perspective on his life (i.e. quit the griping about not being able to download music quickly to his ipod because his laptop is too old, etc.). Not only were these goals accomplished but my son also gained a focus in life. He has decided he wants to quickly finish high school and then head back down to continue helping out with the rebuilding process, focusing on the New Orleans and the Gulf Region disaster relief. I couldn’t have asked for more! Since my family originally came from Louisiana and some are still based there, having him reconnect to his roots was an added bonus.

Thank you for this wonderful opportunity to give back. Your organization is not only changing the lives of those affected by Hurricane Katrina but also the volunteers who work with you. I look forward to volunteering with you in the future as does my son, Eric!

Best wishes,

Annette