New Orleans Rebirth Volunteer Program

In August 2010 a small group from Community UU Church traveled to New Orleans to spend a week participating in the New Orleans Rebirth Volunteer Program, a program of the Center for Ethical Living and Social Justice Renewal (CELSJR), housed at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of New Orleans (FUUNO). Another group went to New Orleans in June 2011 to continue the efforts. This has become an annual social outreach event for the church and this year we plan to send a group departing on August 4th and returning August 11th. Adult Members, Friends, and Visitors of the church and Youth over the age of 16 are invited to participate.

The beginning and ending Saturdays are travel days; Sunday is an orientation and free-time day; Monday through Friday are work days.

We will be housed at FUUNO and all our meals are provided by CELSJR. Each participant's room and board cost is $35/day ($245 for the week), payable in advance to CUUC (write New Orleans on the memo line). Some scholarship money is available for those in need. Breakfast is a do-it-yourself affair (all foodstuffs, cookware and eatingware provided); sack lunches are prepared for each work day, and dinner is a sit-down meal prepared by CELSJR's diva chef, Jyphia (pronounced zhuh-fi-ya).

The work week will consist of four days of supporting the rebuilding/renewal efforts of the Lower Ninth Ward Village Community Center (LNWVCC) and the fifth day helping to restore the FUUNO church. Last year one crew replaced the suspended ceilingat the LNWVCC dormitory room and this year we plan to install lighting fixtures donated by Community UU Church, along with other projects identified by the LNWVCC director Mack McClendon - all driven by the number of volunteers and skills that we can provide.

�

Dick Hildenbrand will travel a few days early to New Orleans to make sure all projects are defined and that all equipment, tools, and supplies are available. Dick and Bill Daffinee will serve as foremen for the projects we undertake.

People planning to participate should bring several changes of work clothes, closed-toed shoes, a personal water bottle, bandanas and insect repellent.

If you have questions, contact Dick Hildenbrand.

Sign up by clicking here.

Print both following documents, complete them and mail to the church or give to Dick:

1.http://celsjr.org/images/docs/registration_form.pdf
2.http://celsjr.org/images/docs/liability_waiver.pdf

For more information, see:

• The New Orleans Rebirth Volunteer Program web site.
• The Lower Ninth Ward Village Community Center web site.