A group of Madison College students spent their spring break on a volunteer mission with the St. Bernard Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to rebuilding homes destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.
The storm that hit the country in 2005 was one of the deadliest in history. The damage caused by the storm left millions of people homeless. Since then, a national initiative has been undertaken to help the recovery of New Orleans.
New Orleans is a large port city located in the state of Louisiana. Its proximity to water left it vulnerable to the flood that followed Hurricane Katrina. The tragedy certainly left a visual print in the minds of the American people. Shortly after the tragedy, news coverage showed images of flooded houses and people desperately trying to survive the situation.
Katrina inspired new safety measures to prevent incident like it in the future. The government implemented a post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act that provides grants for cities to improve their evacuation policies.  

A total of 11 Madison College students and one instructor spent five days rebuilding homes for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Two of these students were part of the construction program at Madison College and the instructor who led the group also has a background in construction.

Participants said the trip was a learning opportunity as well as a humanitarian action.  

Julisa Diaz and Ana Rodriguez, liberal arts transfer students, described their experience as humbling and fun. The cohesion within their group grew stronger with time.

Rodriguez said she felt that she gained a sense of purpose through the experience.

Diaz said that she was nervous at first to arrive at St. Jude Community where they stayed with other universities helping the same cause.

“I never really experienced anything like that before,” she says. However, the friendliness of the locals made her feel comfortable.

A welcome home party was organized for one the families waiting to move into their new place.

Rodriguez said it was very humbling to see the value of people working together.

“I truly wish I could stay there forever and help every family get home after Katrina,” Rodriguez said. “However, although ‘we can’t help everyone, everyone can help someone.’ I therefore truly feel as we all made an impact within the New Orleans community.”