(updated 2008)
if you are looking to go to the gulf coast to volunteer, here is a contact list you can start with. this is a list of organizations founded in New Orleans and in St. Bernard Parish, the county just east of NOLA, to help facilitate volunteer & community rebuilding efforts and to distribute essential supplies to residents at little or no cost.
people’s hurricane relief fund & oversight coalition
- “Building people’s power in New Orleans and the gulf coast”
www.peopleshurricane.org
where: new orleans
what: ‘We engage in grassroots community organizing to build an independent power base in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast to win justice for the Survivors and Residents.’ PHRF/OC is looking for committed volunteers to help us with the following:
* Community Outreach * Membership Drives * Phone Banking * Data Entry * Event Hosting and Planning * Child Care * Fundraising * Attending various Meetings and Activities * Video and Photo Documentation * Distributing our Newsletter (“Second Lines”)
contact: 504-301-0215 or www.peopleshurricane.org/volunteer
HOPE/rebirth - community rebuilding project
- hope * strength * rebirth
www.keep-hope.org
where: violet, louisiana 70092 (st. bernard parish)
what: a collectively-run neighborhood organization working to assist residents affected by hurricane katrina through rebuilding side-by-side with the community. we do residential construction, distribute free food, clothing, and supplies, and initiate projects as the community demands. some projects include construction, emotional wellness, gardening, and youth & daycare programs.
facilities: volunteer hosting capabilities limited. please contact.
contact: hopeprojectstb (at)gmail.com
live st. bernard
- www.livestbernard.org
where: st. bernard parish
what: live|stbernard seeks to attract and house skilled construction labors and volunteers to St. Bernard Parish to increase capacity for the local rebuild organization, the St. Bernard Project.
contact: livestbernard (at)gmail.com or 504-861-7224
st. bernard project
- www.stbernardproject.org
where: 8324 parc place, chalmette, la 70043 (st. bernard parish)
what: sponsoring home owners in St. Bernard Parish to help rebuild through United Way grants. Opportunities to volunteer with rebuilding and logistics.
contact: 504-277-6831 or andrea (at)stbernardproject.org
common ground health clinic
- www.cghc.org
where: 1400 teche st. new orleans (on the west bank)
facilities: free community health clinic for the greater new orleans area.
contact: CG contact list, or 504-304-9097, or commongroundrelief (at)gmail.com
common ground relief
- www.commongroundrelief.org
where: lower 9th ward, new orleans
what: rebuilding, legal clinic, media project, wetlands restoration, and tech collective.
contact: 504-361-9800, or healthalgiers (at)yahoo.com
lower nine
- www.lowernine.org
where: lower 9th ward, new orleans
what: rebuilding and community organization.
contact: 207-380-9636, or lauren (at)lowernine.org
plan b bicycle collective
- www.bikeproject.org/planb/
where: 511 marigny, new orleans.
what: community bicycle shop offering cheap bicycles to residents, access to tools, and volunteer opportunities.
contact: 504-944-0366, or nolabikeproject (at)gmail.com
hands on network - new orleans & biloxi
acorn - new orleans
persevere disaster relief
- www.perseverevolunteers.org
where: various locations
what: Persevere Disaster Relief is a Massachusetts based nonprofit organization committed to assisting communities in the wake of extensive disaster. Through implementing various initiatives and projects that address changing and unmet needs, Persevere aims to both restore a sense of normalcy and improve the quality of life in the areas it serves.
relief spark
- www.reliefspark.org
where: 912 st. louis street, suite a, new orleans, la 70112 (offices)
what: house gutting, tutoring kids after school, working with families in Central City and raising funds for a community center in Central City that will offer continuing education for adults, job services, art lessons, dance lessons, music, computers, a media lab, child-care, basketball court and meeting space as well as office space for non-profits working in the area.
contact: 310-270-3332 or info (at)reliefspark.org or volunteer (at)reliefspark.org
emergency communities (e.c.)
- www.emergencycommunities.org
where: 4316 Baronne St., Suite D, New Orleans, LA 70115 (offices)
what: rehabilitating disaster-stricken areas through the creation of temporary community centers based on service, compassion, and creativity. e.c. has built numerous, sucessful kitchens in st. bernard, plaquemines, and orleans parishes. most notable is the ‘made with love’ kitchen in arabi, la, now closed. this organization is no longer taking volunteers. contact for more information.
contact: 917-442-8900