A look back in the rearview mirror- Evan

As i started this trip I did not know what to expect, I just knew I wanted to help people. Now looking back on my service I have gained much more than that. I have learned about a culture unlike any other that has passion to bring its city back to its feet, but lacks the resources. I learned that there is simply no other place in the United States like New Orleans. This trip has made me appreciate the importance of not just having a place to stay, but a place to call home because there is no place like it.

Progress-Evan Bernat

When I first stepped in to Alvin Ball's house, there was minimal dry wall and mudding up. When I my took my last step, all of the dry wall and mudding had been comnpleted. That can be attributed to the hard work, dedication, and persistence of my site team. It is very refreshing to see large strides made. It makes me feel at ease that if this kind of work keeps being put in that Alvin Ball will shortly have his home back. Thanks to all involved we were able to make progress and a difference in the life of Alvin Ball.

NOLA - Michael Northcutt

Today was a fun but also sad day. It was the final day working on the house. Today I got to know the homeowner, Alvin, a lot better. We talked for a long time about what his neighorhood use to look like. It was very sad hearing him explain how kids use to be everywhere and now its a totally different place. Almost all of his neighbors are no longer there and most likely are not coming back. He then showed me pictures of his house after the storm hit. The water destryoed everything in his house and much of the house was destroyed. Walls were different colors and furniture was ruined. After everyday of working, he brings his wife to the house to show her weve progressed each day. He is very thankful for us being there and was suprised at how quickly we were working. I then felt bad becuase today was the last day of work and I would probably never see him again. I cant wait to see the finished house next year when I come back.

Conclusion- Joey Sison

After looking at the room we worked on, I realized how much we got done. In less than five days, we tore down walls, the ceiling, the floor, the insulation, the roaches and their nests, cleaned the front yard, burned the removed wood, replaced the floor joists, and put up dry wall on the ceiling and walls. It was really great working along side our construction manager Brian, who showed us how to do things from operating saws and nail guns to replacing structural supports. It was also an honor to meet the house's owner, Rosalina, who left us with a heartfelt letter and poem. We hope to maintain communication with her and see the progress on her house. I was also able to bond with my team members and some of the other volunteers at Olive Tree. The French Quarter was a fun place to explore. I hope to return to NOLA as soon as possible to continue helping with reconstruction or help out around home with my new skills.

Jimlise NOLA experience

For my experience at NOLA has been a rollercoaster ride. The days that I have spent working on the house has made me realize there is a bigger picture to the one that I have seen. It is not only about the people and the houses, it is about time and the passion that everyone has invested in this. I love the homeowner Alvin and the house that I have contributed to building. I plan to go to the house in the near future. for this day, thursday, we were finishing up what we started. There are more people from Americorps now that have come to build also. It has made the process faster but sometimes people including myself were just hanging around. I feel that people did their fair share in the work. I really feel that this experience has taught me alot and hopefully I can go to my country Haiti to put in the passion, time, and effort. This has made me realize about how fortunate I am to be alive, healthy with a roof over my head.

Taking a Step Back - Dave Karas

As we near the end of our week of rebuilding projects in New Orleans' Ninth Ward, I look back on our progress throughout our time here, both on a personal and working level. Personally, I have developed an understanding of just how much this region was devastated, and I have began to appreciate what I have to come home to even more than before.

At our site, we have made great progress, completing the installation of sheetrock throughout the house and getting the walls ready for primer and paint. For the first time in our week here, we cannot see through any of the framed walls. It is a house.

This evening, Mr. Alvin, our homeowner, and his wife joined us for dinner at camp. For the first time, I had the opportunity to meet his wife, who works during the day while he works alongside us at the house. There were hardly words to describe the range of emotions when we met. She at once gave me a big hug, thanking me for my work. For me, that moment means more than any others that I have experienced during the week. It reminded me of why I am here, and who we are helping. No documentary or discussion about who we are helping could ever compare.

With one more day of work left in the week, I cannot help but feel nostalgic that we will soon leave our friends at the camp and at our sites, and depart for TCNJ. Seeing that there is much more work to be done, I almost feel that I have not done enough to help. I have the privilege of going home, which is more than so many families in New Orleans can say. But I know that there will be many more groups after us, which provides me with the hope that they will continue to be helped.

And now, we prepare to hand off our site to the next group of volunteers...

Candelario Pati

Hello everyone. First and foremost I would like to say that the ride down here was awesome. Thank God we all got here safe. Walking around the French quarter was amazing. Experiencing southern hospitality was one of the best experiences. He vibe and energy in Nola is so hopeful and upbeat. However, drivin around the 9th ward made me realize how much work there was still left to do. So many houses were left abandoned by their owners who have decided never to return to Nola. Living in such an amazing city makes it hard not to come back but people made new lives in other places and starting all over in Nola is not In their plans.

Workig on Monday made m realize how tiring construction work is and how much work was needed to be done. I kept asking myself if we would reach our goals or if we would live up to the expe taions of our group leaders.

Tuesday was by far the roughest day. I was feeling a bit discoraged and I was wondering if the house would really be finished my march. Being a murder required taping corners but I couldn't help but ask myself if I was Doing enough.

I am typing from my phone so excuse the errors. Anyway lol

going to the French quarter ontuesday nght gave me hope. Nobody should give up on Nola. Nola is rich with so much culture that is idiosyncratic to the US. Wednesday was a day of vigorous work and geting very messy and dirty. It was awesome Today Alvin shared his story with us. My phone is gonna die so I'll update later