Looking for a volunteer travel opportunity within the United States? Think about planning a visit to New Orleans, one of the country’s most exciting tourist destinations despite the natural disaster that almost did it in. One of the easiest ways to help New Orleans is to visit and contribute to the tourist economy. Nobody knows how to entertain visitors like this unique town, so while you’re helping rebuild one of America’s most beloved cities, you can also partake in world-class cuisine, historic attractions galore, and some of the best music in the world. The Big Easy isn’t known as the birthplace of jazz for nothing! The city is overflowing with all genres of music, but especially blues and jazz, spilling onto the streets from nightclubs, bars, restaurants, and from talented street musicians.
While Hurricanes Katrina and Rita were over two years ago, there is much work to be done to restore New Orleans to its former glory. Whether it is hospitals or schools, the historic streetcars or every day housing, improvements are still sorely needed. Looking for some ideas on what else you can do to help? Organizations like Habitat for Humanity are involved with countless projects, the most famous of which is the creation of Musicians’ Village in the Ninth Ward. Spring break is a great time to volunteer for Habitat, and you won’t be busy building houses the whole time– you’ll also get to experience the city.
Bring New Orleans Back is another organization to contact for volunteer opportunities, as is Volunteer New Orleans, ACORN (the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now), the SPCA, Food Not Bombs, and many others.
From the Creole kitchens to the shops on Magazine Street to the antebellum mansions of St. Charles Avenue and the lush parks with their ancient oak trees, there is more to see in New Orleans than just the charming intricate iron balconies and cobblestone streets of the French Quarter, and much to restore. The spirit of this incredible town cannot be destroyed, but the hurricane damage was immense, and the rebuilding is slow. The people of New Orleans still need our help. After a day of giving back to an American community that was hit so hard two years ago, you can sit back and enjoy the warm Louisiana air, listen to some heart-soothing jazz, and delve into a plate of culinary delights.
Resources:
New Orleans Hotels
Mardi Gras 2008
About Mardi Gras
Music Travel - The New Orleans Jazz Festival and More
City Parks Around the World
