What do 13 Penn students, a Hillel Rabbi and staff member, a Fox Leadership grant and a mythical bird that dies in flames and is reborn from the ashes have in common? Alternative Spring Break in New Orleans 2007. For six days, we worked with a non-profit neighborhood recovery association called Phoenix (www.pnola.com) whose mission is to help rebuild New Orleans following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. I decided to spend my break gutting houses, installing insulation, putting up sheetrock, painting walls, caulking windows, and cleaning lawns because I wanted to do something for the citizens who felt stranded and ignored by the government's inaction. I hoped to do something tangibly meaningful.
During the hurricane, the improperly constructed levees wreaked the worst havoc on the lower ninth ward, which a year and a half post-Katrina still has no electricity, no schools and no supermarkets. For acres of land, cement sidewalks mark where houses used to stand. Visiting the lower ninth ward, I was overwhelmed by the seeming hopelessness of the catastrophe and how little I could do to help.
But the residents we spoke to, such as Ms. Betty, the 73-year-old widow and mother of six whose house I worked on, inspired the group with their courage and steadfastness. After insisting she'd host us for lunch in her FEMA trailer, she requested that we paint a thick black line over the watermark that stained her house, so "it could be a conversation piece when friends come to visit." In Ms. Betty was NOLA citizens' optimism and heartfelt gratitude for any support, whether it be donating, helping to rebuild, stimulating the economy, or just visiting the city.
I went to New Orleans aspiring to help others. I left having also gained a better understanding of city planning, people, and myself. It was a truly transformative experience. I encourage you to do whatever you can to help revitalize the great city of New Orleans.
