Over 1,600 Students Join the Alternative Spring Break Tradition With NOAHH
(January 25, 2012) – This spring, New Orleans Area
Habitat for Humanity (NOAHH) will see 1,623 students from 49 schools
volunteering during their spring breaks. The students will come from 21
states, Washington, DC, and Canada. The schools come from every region
of the continental United States, and a significant number of them are
returning for their second time or more.
These returning schools have shown dedication to eliminating poverty housing in the New Orleans area by returning...
Over 1,600 Students Join the Alternative Spring Break Tradition With NOAHH
1/25/2012 12:00:00 AM(January 25, 2012) – This spring, New Orleans Area
Habitat for Humanity (NOAHH) will see 1,623 students from 49 schools
volunteering during their spring breaks. The students will come from 21
states, Washington, DC, and Canada. The schools come from every region
of the continental United States, and a significant number of them are
returning for their second time or more.
These returning schools have shown dedication to eliminating poverty housing in the New Orleans area by returning year after year on their alternative spring break trips. Though many of the groups first came to New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the city’s magnetism and need have inspired several schools that first came in 2006 or 2007 to make spending their alternative spring breaks with NOAHH an ongoing tradition.
“The continued dedication of schools from around the nation and from Canada has been a huge part of our success,” said NOAHH Executive Director Jim Pate. “The spirit of giving that brings these students out during their spring breaks is an essential part of what makes Habitat possible.”
Canadian schools regularly turnout in impressive numbers. With 179 students coming from 6 universities, Canada is second only to local schools in supporting NOAHH on their spring breaks this year. The University of Western Ontario has come year after year to New Orleans, traveling 1,190 miles to help create safe, affordable housing for New Orleans families and to enjoy the culture and clement weather of the city.
Local high schools and universities supply over a third of the students, but represent just over a eighth of the schools. Over 600 students, or 37% of the total spring break volunteers, will volunteer with NOAHH through the spring, with most coming from Tulane University. Loyola University of New Orleans, Dillard University, and Louisiana State University will also be sending groups. Many of the local high schools have brought their students to volunteer year after year as well. Mt. Carmel Academy students have volunteered in remarkable numbers since Hurricane Katrina, and this year will see St. Joseph’s Academy on the work site as well.
The school that regularly sends more than any other school is George Washington University. This year the Washington, DC, school will send another 110 volunteers, matching their numbers from last year, and the Rockwood School District will also be returning this year, bringing 50 volunteers from their homes in Missouri. Other returning groups include Kent State University, Tallahassee Community College, and the Juilliard School.
Every corner of the country is represented, with students coming from Reed College in Oregon and North Carolina State University on the east coast, from St. Mary Law School in Texas and Grand Valley State in Michigan, Rocky Hill School in Connecticut and Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indiana, from the United States Naval Academy in Maryland and Ouachita Baptist University in Arkansas. It is undeniable that the students who take their time to volunteer with NOAHH reflect the wide variety of students all over the nation.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 21.9% of all Americans between the ages of 16 and 24 volunteered in 2010, lower than any other age range, but every year, the period of greatest activity for NOAHH in terms of numbers of volunteers is always alternative spring break.
The continued dedication of these schools and the yearly new arrivals is strong evidence that the reason for the lower percentage is not a lack of a generous spirit. The number of families who now have safe, affordable homes thanks to these volunteers is proof that there is no lack of hard work and quality volunteerism from high school and college students, either.
New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity, an independent affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization. NOAHH builds new houses in partnership with sponsors, volunteers, communities, and homeowner families to eliminate poverty housing in the New Orleans area while serving as a catalyst to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Since its inception in 1983 NOAHH has built 655 homes for low-income families in need of adequate shelter. NOAHH plans to continue to build homes in Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard, St. Charles and Plaquemines Parishes.