JANUARY HOST ORGANIZATION: COMMON GROUND RELIEF
I’ve been fascinated with New Orleans for many years. It started back in college when I was studying music, specifically jazz, and I learned about the unique sounds and techniques that were birthed in the area. Add to that a reputation for killer food, a complex racial dynamic and North America’s greatest natural disaster in recent memory, and New Orleans was an immediate “must see” during my year of travels.
When it came time for me to choose how I would arrange my month in New Orleans, I had a couple ideas in mind. I thought about couchsurfing or finding a restaurant where I could temporarily work or even partnering with a hospice. But ultimately what fell into place was a volunteer stint with an organization that provides short term relief to victims of hurricane disasters in the gulf coast region. This place is Common Ground Relief.
Common Ground Relief provides a selection of services to the community ranging from home reconstruction to free legal services to job retraining to wetlands restoration. In the coming four weeks I’ll be engaging in multiple ways, essentially being placed where they want me. I expect to work hard, and to hopefully learn some new skills.
Thanks to my friend Ricky Dennill for recommending this organization to me.
Sounds like a great organization, Daniel. They’re lucky to have you onboard and I know you’ll learn a lot by month’s end.
P.S. Focus on your carpentry skills and I’ll put you to work in 2012.
Good journey!!