Focus Areas

While we encourage all of our leadership to be flexible on a daily basis, as a Volunteer Leader your Focus Area will guide the work you do at Hands On New Orleans.  It will determine the types of projects you lead on a daily basis, as well as the research and projects you develop during your stay. 

Construction
Volunteer Leaders with a construction focus will lead crews of short-term volunteers on construction projects throughout the city.  While we encourage applicants with construction skills to apply, we likewise consider this an opportunity for those with less experience to grow their skills.  Through their service, Volunteer Leaders will learn about the rebuilding process in New Orleans, the challenges facing residents as they rebuild, and develop their construction and leadership skills.

Education
The Volunteer Leaders with an education focus will be responsible for the library at James Singleton Charter School.  The library of this over-crowded inner-city school is the first the school has ever had.  It was built and is run every day by volunteers from Hands On New Orleans.  Volunteer Leaders will support and develop this library program.  Additionally, these leaders will be needed to inform, research, and support any new or developing projects that have a youth focus.  Volunteer Leaders will learn first hand about the affects of Katrina on the school system and children in the city through interaction with teachers and students on a daily basis. 

Disaster Recovery
Volunteer Leaders with a disaster recovery focus will lead teams of short-term volunteers on a variety of projects that include: assisting a local food distribution center, cleaning parks, painting murals, clearing lots, helping at a an animal shelter, and so much more. Those who choose this focus will work to form more beneficial partnerships in the community. This is the most diverse of the three focus areas.  Volunteer Leaders will lead a variety of service projects and see many facets of the recovery process; as well as gain valuable insight into volunteer mobilization, leadership, non-profit partnerships, the devastation of Katrina, and the culture of New Orleans.