Student volunteers from 152 campus ministries across the U.S. will dedicate their July 4th holiday to rebuilding New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward community for residents and their children. HOPE worldwide will mobilize the young volunteers to clear 50-100 building lots, making way for future homes, and develop a memorial garden for those who lost their lives during the storm.

 

The day of service will be the title event for “Rebuild the City”, the 2008 International Churches of Christ campus conference. “Our churches are committed to working with HOPE worldwide to help the poor and needy, so it is natural to partner together this weekend to help families devastated by Hurricane Katrina,” said Mike Taliaferro, the conference chair. “When we decided that we wanted to come to New Orleans to help families rebuild, we thought immediately of HOPE worldwide.”

The campus day of service represents the latest milestone in HOPE worldwide’s partnership with churches across the U.S. that has been active on the Gulf Coast since Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005. HOPE worldwide CEO Randy Jordan said, “It would be nearly impossible for us to consider an activity of this magnitude without the support of the churches and their dynamic and serving members. Time and time again, our partnership with the church has allowed HOPE worldwide's dreams of serving the poor and needy to grow and our impact to be magnified."

Church volunteers working with HOPE worldwide have had a tremendous impact. Dr. Edward Blakely, Executive Director of the New Orleans Mayor’s Office of Recovery and Development Administration, stated, “HOPE worldwide is a true friend of the City of New Orleans. Beginning with your earliest efforts after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita through “Operation Safe Place,” the clean-up and tree planting events in City Park in March 2006, and ongoing efforts to assist homeowners rebuilding their homes in partnership with the Louisiana Family Recovery Corps; HOPE worldwide and its numerous volunteers are making a significant difference in the City’s rebuilding neighborhoods.”

“What we have seen in the Gulf Coast is that storm conditions were not only of the hurricane type, but also left people hurt and wondering if anyone cared about what they were going through,” said Walter Evans, evangelist and elder of the Greater Philadelphia Church of Christ and HOPE worldwide volunteer. “Through HOPE worldwide’s programs, including Operation Safe Place and the ongoing rebuilding efforts, the disciples serving as volunteers are not only meeting the physical needs of these people, but are bringing hope that things will be different. The personal connection with our volunteers makes all the difference”.

The day of service will end with a special ceremony in Bush Park. The 1,300 volunteers will join invited special guests and officials like New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin and Governor Bobby Jindal to welcome Lower Ninth Ward residents back home.