New Orleans, Louisiana
Disaster Description
New Orleans was damaged not so much by the wind and rain of Hurricane Katrina, but by the failure of the levees surrounding the city to keep out the waters of adjacent Lake Pontchartrain. Much of the city was flooded and many homes still stand empty more than four years later.
MDS Response
MDS is repairing and rebuilding homes in various areas of New Orleans, including Gentilly, Lower 9th Ward and Upper 9th Ward. MDS partners with organizations such as Catholic Charities, Crescent Alliance Recovery Effort (CARE) and Greater New Orleans Disaster Recovery Partnership (GNODRP).
MDS completed renovations on the Hayne Blvd. building in early 2008 and all volunteers are housed there, in the northeast part of the city next to Lake Ponchartrain. Over 100 clean up and repair jobs have been completed as well as several new homes. Small groups continue the work over the summer and the project will open to larger groups in the fall and winter.
Photo Gallery
Jorge and Hannah sweep so we can lay the floor
Jorge and Hannah sweep up so the flooring can be installed.
Long-term-volunteer-Noah-Lattin-takes-a-much-deserved-break
Long-termer Noah Lattin takes a much deserved break.
Oregon-volunteer-Mark-Diller-received-the-Best-Drywaller-gold-medallion-award-for-his-diligence-in-hanging-drywall-on-the-ceiling
Oregon volunteer, Mark Diller, received the Best Drywaller Gold Medallion award for his diligence in hanging drywall on the ceiling.
Volunteers-measure-and-cut-drywall-for-Pastor-Duplessis-home
Volunteers measure and cut drywall for Pastor Charles' house in New Orleans.
Mr-Doug-took-time-to-pose-with-our-volunteers-who-are-working-on-his-deck
Mr. Doug took time to pose with our volunteers who worked on his home.
Volunteer-playing-football-on-the-levee--by-Luke-Hershey
A volunteer on top of the levee across from the MDS building in New Orleans, with the city in the background.
Project Reports
Weekly report for New Orleans
With volunteers from Iowa, Kansas and Ontario we had a great week of work with a little fun mixed in. Larry Temple and Jay Goering from McPherson, KS are Biblical story tellers. They brought the Bible to life, transporting us...[more]
Map/Directions
This Interactive Map Feature requires a minimum Web browser of Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.0 or higher, Mozilla Firefox 2.0 or higher, or similar compatible Web browsers. If the Interactive Map Feature link does not load, your Web Browser is probably not compatible. For optimal and proper viewing, it is suggested that you upgrade your Web Browser software before using this feature. If you are not sure of the version of your browser, select Help in the menu bar of your browser and choose About. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Project statistics
New Orleans
MDS
7520 Hayne Blvd.
New Orleans, LA 70126
Project Director: Gil and Rhoda Friesen
Phone: (504) 309-9406
Fax: (504) 309-9423
neworleans(at)mds.mennonite.net
Project Start Date: November 2006 (Continuation of the Metarie Project)
Volunteer Status:
Volunteers to Date: 3058
Jobs Started: 190
Jobs Completed: 187
Project End Date: TBA
Project schedule
Volunteer Information:
Please download and read the files listed below if you are planning and preparing for travel to work in New Orleans.
New Orleans Volunteer Information
|
