Volunteer opportunities in the Gulf Coast

Thank you for your interest in volunteering for Habitat for Humanity in areas affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The response from concerned individuals willing to volunteer their time to help with the recovery effort has been heartening, and we at Habitat are truly humbled by it.

Much help is still needed, though! If you are thinking about volunteering with Habitat along the U.S. Gulf Coast, please consider getting in touch with one of the Habitat affiliates listed below.

All volunteer registration is now being coordinated through the local Habitat affiliates working along the Gulf Coast. Below, you will find a description of volunteer opportunities at Habitat affiliates. Please contact the affiliate directly to learn about the latest opportunities to help in each location – and to register so you can go down and build!

Hundreds of volunteers are still needed each day along the Gulf Coast. If you’d like to join in the effort, please contact one of the Habitat affiliates listed below. Click on the affiliate names to visit their Web sites.

ALABAMA

• HFH in Mobile County (Mobile, Alabama)
How to volunteer: Call 251-476-7171 or visit www.habitatmobile.org.

Volunteers arrive each Sunday, work Monday-Saturday. Schedules are flexible.

Accommodations
Volunteers can stay at stay at the Seton Center, a lodging facility administered by the Archdiocese of Mobile, for a fee of $10 per night per person, and $5 per week for bedding if you don’t bring your own. The lunch cost is $5 per day. Volunteers are encouraged to make a donation of $100 / week (this includes lunch every day) to help the affiliate with expenses. Volunteers should bring: towel, sunscreen, bug spray, comfortable work clothes, shoes with closed toe and heel. Volunteers are responsible for their own transportation.

RVs
Visit www.mobile.org for a list of RV accommodations.

LOUISIANA

• Bayou Area HFH (Thibodaux, Louisiana)
How to volunteer: Call 985-447-6999 or e-mail volunteer@bayouhabitat.org.

Volunteers arrive on Sunday, work Monday-Friday, and depart on the following Saturday. To register online, go to: http://www.bayouhabitat.org/volunteer/individuals.php.

Accommodations
Volunteers stay in modified Habitat homes at a nominal cost. The houses have refrigerators, washers/dryers, showers and cots for sleeping. Volunteers should bring: bedding or a sleeping bag, towel, comfortable work clothes, shoes with closed toes and heels, gloves, nail apron/tool belt and tape measure. Volunteers are responsible for their own transportation. Lunch is provided on site.



• Ginger Ford HFH (Hammond, Louisiana)
How to volunteer: Call 985-542-6866 or e-mail volunteer@GingerFordHabitat.org.

Volunteers build Tuesday-Saturday.

Accommodations
Volunteers stay at Camp Living Waters (21230 Living Waters Rd., Loranger, La., 70446)
in dorm-style housing (bunk beds) with access to a full-service kitchen and gym for $18.75 per person per night. Breakfast is provided at the camp, and lunch is provided at the build site. Volunteers should bring their own bedding, towels, work shoes with closed toe and heel, cool clothes, hat, and sunscreen. Volunteers are responsible for their own transportation.

RVs
Hookups are available at Camp Living Waters



• East St. Tammany HFH (Slidell, Louisiana)
How to volunteer: Call 985-639-0656 or e-mail volunteer.coordinator@esthfh.org.

Come volunteer your time at East St. Tammany Habitat for Humanity for a great volunteer experience! Volunteers arrive on Sunday, work Monday-Friday.

Accommodations
Volunteers stay at local churches in Slidell. The cost is $150 per week, per person, if you decide to stay in volunteer housing provided by the affiliate. If you make other housing arrangements, the affiliate asks for a $50 donation per person to help defray the cost of lunches. Volunteers should bring: bedding, toiletries, shower shoes, comfortable work clothes, a hat, closed-toe shoes and gloves. In the summer, bring sunscreen and a water bottle to fill-up at the job site.

Volunteers will be responsible for their own transportation to and from the work site. Volunteers are asked to arrive every day at Central Baptist Church at 6:50 a.m. for Morning Circle. At the Monday Morning Circle, a brief orientation of ESTHFH will be presented, as well as introductions (of volunteer groups and partner families) and a safety briefing. We meet for Morning Circle each day for fellowship, and devotions are an important part of our time. We encourage volunteers to get involved by offering up their personal thoughts and reflections. We have had many songs, skits and cheers performed by our volunteers.

RVs
Central Baptist Church
890 Robert Blvd, Slidell, LA
Twenty spots available. 50-amp and full water hookups. Nice, clean RV Park with a picnic area and a volleyball court. The church is available in the event of bad weather. Close to the work site, shopping mall, churches, restaurants and 30 minutes north of New Orleans.

Pearl River United Methodist Church
65480 Hwy 41, Pearl River, LA
Six spots available. 50-amp and full water hookups. Nice, clean RV Park. The church is available in the event of bad weather. Approximately 15 minutes to work sites. Close to shopping, churches and restaurants, and 45 minutes north of New Orleans.



• HFH Calcasieu Area (Lake Charles, Louisiana)
How to volunteer: Call 337-497-0129 or e-mail jennifer@hfhca.org.

Volunteers usually work Monday-Friday and depart on Saturday.

Accommodations
Volunteers stay at the United Way SWLA Volunteer Housing Center (the old Moss Bluff Middle School). The center provides a shared commercial kitchen, showers, and bunk beds. These are open rooms set up dormitory style with separate facilities for men and women. There is no cost for housing. Volunteers should bring bedding, towel, comfortable work clothes, shoes with closed toe and heel.

Volunteers are responsible for their own transportation. Bring a sack lunch each day – drinks are provided on site.

RVs
Hookups are available at Sam Houston Jones State Park or Whispering Meadow RV Park



• HFH of Greater Baton Rouge (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
How to volunteer: Call 225-927-6651 or e-mail katiep@habitatbr.org.

In 2005, HFHGBR built 18 homes. In response to the hurricanes in 2006, the affiliate built 46 homes – 20 for local families and 26 for families displaced by the hurricanes. HFHGBR built 26 in 2007 with plans to build 35 in 2008 – half of those for hurricane evacuees. Volunteers are still needed to keep pace!



• HFH St. Tammany West (Mandeville/Covington, Louisiana)
How to volunteer: Call 985-893-3172 or visit www.habitatstw.org.

Volunteers can arrive either Sunday or Monday, and work Tuesday-Saturday.

Accommodations
Volunteers stay at local churches or other lodging arranged by the affiliate. Volunteers should bring: bedding, toiletries, shower shoes, comfortable work clothes, a hat, closed-toe shoes, gloves, nail apron and tape measure. Volunteers are responsible for their own transportation and all meals.

RVs
Fontainebleau State Park or Fairview Riverside State Park



• Lafayette HFH (Lafayette, Louisiana)
How to volunteer: Call 337-261-5041, e-mail fawn@habitatlafayette.org or visit www.habitatlafayette.org.

Lafayette Habitat for Humanity operates in the heart of the Acadiana region of Louisiana—better known simply as Cajun country. Cajuns have a rich and unique cultural heritage, and are famous for their independent spirit and close ties to the land, friends and families. Many people make their living in this area farming sugarcane, rice and crawfish.

Volunteers typically work Tuesday-Saturday. As of early 2008, Lafayette HFH had built 21 homes since hurricanes Katrina and Rita wreaked havoc in the late summer of 2005. As part of the 2008 Carter Work Project, the affiliate started construction on 12 homes for hurricane-affected families in a rural subdivision near Kaplan.



• New Orleans Area HFH (New Orleans, Louisiana)
How to volunteer: Call 504-861-4121 or e-mail volunteer@habitat-nola.org.

If you are interested in registering online to sign up as a volunteer or arrange housing, please go to: http://www.habitat-nola.org/volunteer/index.php.

Volunteers usually work Tuesday-Saturday. New Orleans age requirements allow volunteers aged 14 and 15 to perform non-constructed-related activities. Volunteers aged 16 and 17 can help on the build site, but are not allowed to use power tools or perform any construction activity above 12 feet. Must be accompanied by parental/adult supervision.

Camp Hope is a former middle school being used as a basic housing facility for volunteers. The camp provides a place to sleep, recreation space, wireless internet, meeting spaces, 2 hot meals and a bag lunch for your workday. Camp Hope welcomes volunteers from most organizations working in the greater New Orleans Area. Find out more by visiting: http://www.habitat-nola.org/camp_hope/index.php.

RV’s
St. Bernard State Park, 888-677-7823 toll free.



• Washington HFH (Bogalusa/Franklinton, Louisiana)
How to volunteer: Call 985-281-4955.

Before Hurricane Katrina, the all-volunteer Washington HFH affiliate built one house a year. Since Katrina, the affiliate has built 12 houses in an effort to address the tremendous need for affordable housing.

MISSISSIPPI

• Hattiesburg Area HFH (Hattiesburg, Mississippi)
How to volunteer: Call 601-582-4663 or e-mail info@hattiesburghabitat.org

Volunteer arrive Monday, then work Tuesday-Friday.

Accommodations
Volunteers stay in shared accommodations, in houses in a house in our Habitat neighborhood for a nominal fee per person. The houses have a refrigerator, stove, washer/dryer, showers and bunk beds for sleeping. Volunteers should bring: bedding or a sleeping bag, towel, comfortable work clothes, shoes with closed toes and heels, gloves, nail apron/tool belt and tape measure. Volunteers are responsible for their own transportation. We also have accommodations at our office for large groups. It has all the same amenities.

RVs
Forrest County Multi-Purpose Center
Hattiesburg, MS 39401



• HFH Bay-Waveland Area (Bay St. Louis, Mississippi)
How to volunteer: Call 228-467-9699 or visit www.habitatbaywaveland.org

Another of the hardest-hit areas in the Gulf Coast, Bay St. Louis, experienced a 28-foot storm surge during Hurricane Katrina. Today, rebuilding efforts are still in full force. Volunteers arrive on Sunday, work Monday-Friday and depart on the following Saturday.

Accommodations
Volunteers stay at Lagniappe Church in Bay St. Louis. The housing is bunk-house style divided by gender. There are shower facilities and a large cafeteria-style dining area that provides three meals per day. Volunteers should bring: bedding, toiletries, shower shoes, comfortable work clothes, a hat, shoes with closed toes and heels, gloves, nail apron and tape measure. Volunteers are responsible for their own transportation.

RVs
For RV parking contact Bay-Waveland Habitat for Humanity.



• HFH of the Mississippi Gulf Coast (Biloxi, Mississippi)
How to volunteer: Call: 228-314-0011, Ext. 310, or e-mail: volunteer@hfhmgc.org.

Volunteers arrive on Monday and work Tuesday through Friday. To register online, visit: http://www.hfhmgc.org/get_involved/volunteer/.

Accommodations
Volunteers have the option to stay at Camp Victor Ministries, which is located in downtown Ocean Springs near many restaurants, art galleries and boutiques. Operating under Lutheran Episcopal Services in Mississippi, Camp Victor Ministries is a converted sewing factory that has many amenities to offer, including computers, wireless internet connection, a dining area for volunteers, television, a pool table, games and art supplies. There are bathrooms with showers and a laundry facility. The dorm rooms are climate-controlled with heat and air conditioning.

All volunteers are required to attend a mandatory 5 p.m. orientation the first Monday of their volunteer opportunity, which covers such topics as construction site safety, HFHMGC rules, camp rules and code of conduct. All volunteers are responsible for their own transportation, including transportation to and from the airport and to and from the work sites.

Each volunteer that lodges at Camp Victor must pay a $125 registration fee to HFHMGC. The fee covers the cost of three meals a day (Tuesday–Friday), as well as dinner on Monday night and a continental breakfast on Saturday morning. There is no fee to volunteer with HFHMGC when not staying at an HFHMGC-designated housing facility. (Please note that volunteers staying elsewhere are responsible for all meals throughout the week, but are invited to join for the Monday dinner after orientation.)

RVs
For RV information, please contact the HFHMGC’s volunteer coordinator at 228-314-0011, Ext 310 or volunteer@hfhmgc.org.



• Lauderdale County HFH (Meridian, Mississippi)
How to volunteer: Call 601-485-4992.

Though it’s a two-hour drive from the Gulf of Mexico, the Meridian area was affected dramatically by the deadly hurricane duo of Katrina and Rita in 2005. Three years later, an estimated 3,000 evacuees remain in Meridian, intensifying the area’s need for public services and affordable housing.

Lauderdale County HFH began new houses as part of Carter Work Project 2008, and volunteers are encouraged to join the local effort.



• Pearl River County HFH (Picayune, Mississippi)
How to volunteer: Call 601-799-4636 or visit www.habitat-prcms.org

Still rebuilding from the effects of 2005’s hurricane’s, the Habitat affiliate in Picayune, Miss., is relying on volunteers to continue to build more houses. Four new homes were started as part of Pearl River County HFH’s involvement in Carter Work Project 2008.

TEXAS

• HFH of Jefferson County (Beaumont, Texas)
How to volunteer: Call 409-832-5853 or e-mail volunteer@beaumonthabitat.org.

Volunteers arrive on Sunday, Work Monday through Friday. Volunteers must be 16 or older.

Accommodations
Volunteers stay at the Holiday Inn Midtown or at local churches and other lodging arranged by the affiliate.

Holiday Inn Midtown is coordinated through the affiliate at a discounted rate. Regardless of where they stay, volunteers should bring: bedding, toiletries, shower shoes, comfortable work clothes, a hat, closed-toe shoes, gloves, nail apron and tape measure. Volunteers are responsible for their own transportation, breakfast and dinner. The affiliate will provide lunch and drinks.

RVs
East Lucas Park: 2590 East Lucas;
Gulf Coast Park: 5175 Brooks Rd.
Mobile Manor: 5375 Fannet Rd.
Spindletop Park: 4950 W Cardinal Dr.