NOLA Day 1: Katrina Relief and the Youth Movement

As we enter the town of Chalmette, Louisiana, I notice the dilapidated houses and minimal edifices. Before the catastrophe of Hurricane Katrina, over 29,000 structures stood strong in the St. Bernard Parrish; all but 3 were claimed uninhabitable post-Katrina. Pain, heartache, displacement, and death have plagued the historical state of Louisiana. The Federal, state, and local governments continue to fight over recognition and monies for distribution to the communities that lost their homes in Katrina. However, aid continues amidst the economic turmoil plaguing our country and the forgotten need of the people of Louisiana. 55 Wake Forest students have decided to use their time to travel to Louisiana and help restore housing to communities in Louisiana. Through the St. Bernard Project, teams of 5 have dispersed through the community to aid AmeriCorps volunteers in rebuilding houses, but most importantly restoring the community. Though work has been physically and mentally draining, our Demon Deacons are learning the meaning of civic engagement and the tools they can bring back to the Wake Forest community to perpetuate our motto: Pro Humanitate.