KATRINA RELIEF URBAN PLUNGE

SERVE
BUILD
BE TRANSFORMED

Dates: March 23-29

Registration Deadline: March 1

Cost: $300 plus plane fare
(bring-a-friend for 1/2 price!
See below for more details)

Online Application

Information: Jeff Barneson

Renew New Orleans. On August 29, 2005, the levees failed and most of the city of New Orleans was flooded. Over 1,500 people died and 100,000+ homes were destroyed - families, businesses, schools, congregations, lives were swept away. 31 months later, vast areas in the city continue to be uninhabitable and in need of clearing and rebuilding - Mostly they need hope.

Today...

  • 40 percent of New Orleans homes are still without power
  • Half as many hospital beds are available as before Katrina
  • Government officials estimate that 500,000 people may need mental-health assistance to deal with higher rates of anxiety, depression and hostility.

    A few weeks ago we spoke with a volunteer coordinator in New Orleans. When we asked if they could use us back to work this year (our third trip), notably moved, he said, "Tell your friends thanks for not forgetting us!" So we're heading down...

    Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27

    If you give your spring break to help the people of New Orleans, you can help a community to rebuild, learn about the complex issues facing their recovery, and explore how to pursue justice and service in your own life. This week could change your life!

    Schedule. Each day, teams will serve a local organization or individual with clean-up and rebuilding needs in the city. The typical day will begin with breakfast and then service from 8:30am to 3:30pm. Following an afternoon break and dinner, we will join other volunteers for a chapel service. Each evening we examine issues that come up and explore the intersection of Christian faith and service. Depending on our energy level, we head out later and continue the discussion over coffee.

    Diversity and Growth.The Katrina Relief Urban Plunge welcomes students and faculty from different religious, spiritual and secular traditions. We believe that working together in service is a great way to grow and learn from one another - that we benefit personally and our projects are better as we bring our different perspectives to the work.

    Requirements. We will have 3 required orientation meetings before flying to New Orleans. Also, participants must ensure that they are current with Tetanus shots.

    Costs. The base cost of $300 will cover all transportation within New Orleans, lodging, food, and materials. Each of us will cover the cost of our own airfare

    Half-price discount! Through our "bring-a-friend" program, you can participate in the Katrina Relief Urban Plunge if you are new to InterVarsity activities or you bring a friend who is new. If you are a fellowship member and your friend comes also, you both go for $300.

    Online Application.

    If you have any questions, contact your local InterVarsity campus staffworker or Jeff Barneson.

    The "bring-a-friend" program intends to encourage students from diverse ethnic, political, and spiritual backgrounds to participate in the Katrina Relief Urban Plunge. Therefore members of InterVarsity and other campus Christian groups -- while certainly encouraged to invite friends to come along -- may not count as each other's friends for the purposes of the discount.