FAQs
The following are the most frequently asked questions we get. We’ll be adding more as you ask them, so don’t hesitate to let us know what’s missing. Katrina Corps is a continuing adventure of “Can Do” and continues to change as Volunteers add energy and ideas. With your help and ideas, Impossible is Nothing.
FAQs By Category
General
Q. How do I volunteer for Katrina Corps?
A. Read all the info on the website, email any questions you have to info@katrinacorps.org. Finally go to the sign-up page and register. Our volunteer coordinator (another volunteer, just like you) will get back in touch with you.
Q. What if I can’t volunteer my time?
A. Volunteering your time is only one way of giving to New Orleans. You can also give by donating money to our cause. You can simply go to the Donate section of our website and donate any amount you can. We know that every little thing helps and we thank you for every little thing you do.
Q. What is Katrina Corps?
A. Katrina Corps is a volunteer organization that was formed in December 2006 for the purpose of speeding up the recovery process in New Orleans. The 501 (c) (3) charitable organization designation has been approved. Contributions made to Katrina Corps or “Pangaea Quest, Inc.” will be tax deductible.
Q. Who/what is Pangaea Quest?
A. On the Katrina Corps website you see at the bottom a copyright in the name of Pangaea Quest, PQ for short. Pangaea Quest is another volunteer organization that was started by many of the same people about a year earlier than Katrina Corps. PQ’s mission was and is to support citizen volunteer efforts like Katrina Corps. PQ was up and running first so we used it as a vehicle to jumpstart Katrina Corps.
Pangaea is the name of the giant landmass that existed on earth millions of years ago before it broke apart into the continents we know today. While we may no longer be physically connected, that doesn’t mean that we can’t act like we are connected to the rest of the world.
Q. Why is Katrina Corps recruiting volunteers?
A. Some of the KC directors went to New Orleans to gut houses last year. They saw what needed to be done and the immensity of the task: houses, schools, churches and restaurants all need gutting or repair. By some estimates, it will take a decade or two for New Orleans to recover, but with enough volunteers we can make it only a couple of years and not a couple of decades.
Q. Do I have to be part of a group? Is it ok if I come by myself?
A. We love all volunteers. You do not need to be part of a group. We have had many people who came by themselves but met others individuals and are now great friends. You may travel alone, but once you get here, you won’t be alone.
Q. What does Katrina Corps do?
A. Katrina Corps tries to maintain flexibility with the projects they undertake. During Spring Break, we focused on gutting houses. This summer we will continue gutting, however, we will be shifting our main focus to reopening more public schools and community centers in New Orleans.
Before Katrina, there were 128 public schools open in New Orleans. Currently, 2 years later, there are only 22 public schools open with class sizes reaching 70 students per class. Our goal this summer is to get 25 additional schools open. The City Council is expecting thousands of New Orleanians to return this summer and we would like the kids to have a school to return to come fall.
Q. What work will we be doing?
A. To get the schools, community centers and homes ready for the coming year, we will mainly be doing whatever it takes–painting, rebuilding, gutting, landscaping, possibly helping with murals, moving families back into their homes, as well as ground cleanup and making the impossible possible.
Q. Why do we have to pay $225 when we are volunteering? I don’t think I should have to pay to volunteer.
A. Neither do we. But we are not getting huge grants or free housing from anyone. We are not making money at all. Your registration fee mainly covers housing, transportation, food, safety equipment and tools. There are some organizations in New Orleans that allow you to volunteer for free, but remember that we all have the same costs, so they have to cut those costs somehow, perhaps in the areas of safety equipment or opting to house volunteers on a floor instead of beds.
Q. I don’t have enough money for the $225 program fee and transportation to New Orleans. Is there anything I can do?
A. Of course. Our biggest suggestion is to raise money for yourself. Go around in your community or to people you know. Tell them what you are doing and ask if they would like to donate. You are doing a great thing and you can usually find other people who would be willing to help you do that great thing. You could also have a fundraiser. We have had volunteers in the past who organized fundraisers such as a pie-in-the-face raffle or a bake sale.
Q. How does the week work and what’s the daily schedule?
A. The week begins with your Sunday arrival and ends with your Saturday departure. Volunteers arrive at the job site before 8am and leave around 3:30pm. Before leaving each morning, breakfast and lunch items are provided at Bywater Chruch of Christ (where we are housed). During the day, there are snacks and lunch at the jobsite. You can expect dinner to be on your own, but there may be some dinners available. Every Thursday night, we make sure to have some type of celebration to say Thank You to all of the volunteers. Thus far it has been seeing excellent local musicians.
Q. So do we have free time?
A. Yes, we try to get you back early enough in the evening so that there is plenty of time to shower and rest and still have time to spend in the city if you please. Though we cannot be a taxi service, we do try to help get you to the French Quarter or other places in the city that you may want to see.
Q. What equipment and gear do I need to bring?
A. Your clothes will get dirty, so please bring clothing that you can work and paint in. A hat or bandana is a good idea. Thick-soled shoes are recommended but not required. Most people bring shower shoes and sleeping bags also. Oh, and don’t forget to bring non-work clothes! There are many, many things to do in New Orleans!
If there are other things that we find people like having, we will let you know by e-mail (if you are registered) or through this website.
Q. Is there an age requirement?
A. Yes and no. In order to gut houses, you must be 16 years of age. We have no upper age limits.
Q. What are the health risks/concerns?
A. There are always health risks in volunteering. But with the activities that we have lined up for this summer, those health risks are minimal. If any of the activities described above concern you, such as exposure to paint fumes, you may be redirected to other volunteer activities. We always have a variety of tasks on any jobsite that so will be one right for you.
If you are gutting a home, there are a few more health risks. Since many of these homes were under 8 feet or more of water for many months, there is a lot of mold and other substances. However, we gut using OSHA safety standards, which include among other things wearing Tyvex® suits and job appropriate respirators. We do everything we can to prevent any type of health risk. If you have a health concern in New Orleans, we should be able to take care of it.
Q. What are the Safety & Security Risks?
A. We realize that with recent news that there can be some security concerns. Any big city requires you to use common sense and New Orleans is no exception. During the day, you’ll be with your team. At night, if you choose to go out into the city, the Bywater (where we live) is safe as are the French Quarter and Bourbon Street. We are pairing each volunteer with a Buddy. You will be responsible for your Buddy at all times, and your Buddy will be responsible for you at all times.
Q. Do volunteers get training and instruction?
A. Yes. There’ll be orientation when you arrive. You’ll have an experienced team leader. One or more people in your team will have work site management. Plus, it’s not rocket science.
Housing
Q. Is housing provided for volunteers?
A. Yes. Katrina Corps has been able to obtain housing for all Katrina Corps volunteers at Bywater Chruch of Christ, just outside the french quarter. Most of you, depending on the week you come, will be staying in bunk beds in Co-ed dormitories that Katrina Corps Volunteers have built at Bywater C of C. We’ve also built separate shower and toilet facilities. It’s not luxurious, but it’s much better than a gym floor and no hot water.
Q. Should we bring sleeping bags?
A. If you have them, yes. You will be sleeping on bunks. They are fairly new, but we don’t own enough sheets and pillows for all of them. It is highly recommended that you bring a pillow and sleeping bag. In lieu of a sleeping bag, a sheet and blanket should do just fine.
Q. What if we can provide our own places to stay?
A. We really like all of our Katrina Corps volunteers to stay together because it helps the group bond and we know from past volunteer reports that it can be one of the more enriching parts of the Katrina Corps experience. But we also realize that some of you may have friends and family in New Orleans. If you do stay “off campus”, you’ll have to be able to get to St Vincent’s every morning for your team meeting.
Q. I want to room with my friends. Is that possible?
A. Definitely. When you register, just say who your friends are or the name of your group. Please try to register as a group on the same day. You can always add more later.
Transportation
Q. When should I arrive? Leave?
A. The Sunday of your assigned week. Plan on leaving the following Saturday.
Q. What if I drive?
A. That would be great. We are going to need vehicles to get everyone to the job sites, even though Katrina Corps has rented 12 passenger vans. Carpooling gives all Volunteers more flexibility. So try to make that the first option. If we could promise to reimburse you for your automobile expenses right now, we would. But we can’t. The team members who carpool with you should all be prepared to chip in for gas and for any parking fees. (Parking is FREE at BCC).
Q. What if I fly?
A. This is an all-volunteer effort…so the cost of the tickets is on you 100%. We will be able to pick you up at the airport if you give us your flight schedule. We ask that if you are flying, to come Sunday-Saturday because it makes trips to the airport more convenient for our volunteer taxi service.
Q. So can I be reimbursed for my travel expenses?
A. Unfortunately no. Being a new non-profit we have a very tight budget and are not able to help anyone with travel expenses.
Q. How do we get to the job sites every morning?
A. We’ll have vans and some of you will be carpooling. It is crucial that each of you is at the team meeting each morning and ON TIME. That’s when the directions will be handed out. New Orleans still doesn’t have all its street signs up (especially in the areas where we will be working) so you don’t want to be driving around looking for your team.
Q. How do we get back to base if we go to the French Quarter in the evening?
A. That’s up to you. If you have a car in New Orleans or went there with someone who does, great. Otherwise, we can help you with phone numbers or cab companies or you can walk (it’s a little over 2 miles).
Blogging
Q. You’re asking us to take a lot on faith that this will happen. Right?
A. Yes and No. Katrina Corps is not a “You” and “Us” organization. We are all part of the same team from the minute you decide to join us. Keep checking back here for updates. Comment if you like. Great ideas will be implemented! We may be inventing Katrina Corps as we go, but whoever joins us is signing up for a great ride into a new American frontier called New Orleans.
Q. Do you really mean that we each can help steer this effort?
A. Absolutely. See you in New Orleans!