Facebook Album

Good News Everyone,

Here is my Facebook album of the trip. I apologize for the long delay. I have been really busy since we got back from the trip.


Click Here for Facebook Album

Better Late Than Never

When I started at NLU last fall, I remember receiving the e-mail about the 2010 service trip and I really wanted to go, but I had already missed the deadline. This year though I was prepared and checked my e-mail everyday in anticipation of seeing the NOLA trip e-mail. As soon as I received the e-mail, I signed up. Although I was super excited about the service trip, I had much reservation as well...I did not know anyone attending the trip and I am married with a one year old and three year old that I really did not want to leave for a week.

The first few days were really hard at first because I was so home sick, but after we started working at Harriet Tubman my trip really started to turn around. At Harriet Tubman my main job was painter and I spent most of my week inside a little dark closet painting, but luckily I had an EXCELLENT painting partner that kept me company the whole week. (Thanks Kathleen!!)

By Wednesday I was in love with the city, the locals, and everything that had to do with the "southern way of life." Although I still missed my family, I did not want to go home either. The city is beautiful in a very different way than other cities, NOLA has a beauty that is shone through the people that live there. One of my favorite parts of the trip was when Tony took a few of us on a tour of the city; it was a real eye opener to go to the lower 9th ward and see the devastation from Katrina that is still prevalent today. I was very grateful for Tony for taking us on a private tour and letting us get out and explore the sights of NOLA, I think being there and witnessing the lower 9th ward for myself has truly made me a better person and more thankful for the life that I have.

I am so glad that I attend the NOLA service trip. It has truly made me want to be a better person and see what other opportunities there are for me to help locally and nationally.

Thanks to all my super sweet team 1 members for being so nice and welcoming, Adrian for being such a faithful leader, and Karen for organizing the trip. I had a great time with each of you!! (Especially walking around with our "mom club")

The Devastating Impact of Hurricaine Katrina on the Lower 9th Ward

Hurricane Katrina had a devastating impact on the already impoverished Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans. The hurricane decimated the neighborhood by destroying a large number of homes and businesses. While, driving through the area with our tour guide Tony, a local taxi driver, He described the devastation that Hurricane Katrina had on New Orleans. He pointed to building after building describing what was there and then said "GONE". "This was a McDonalds, GONE. That was a KFC, GONE. There was even a Family Dollar there, GONE and so on."

I was shocked at the number of empty lots and vacant businesses that we passed by and even more shocked at the primitive infrastructure like street signs made from plastic scraps with street names often hand written or spray painted on poles and spay painted house numbers.


I have done a lot of photography work in some of Chicago's most impoverished areas like Englewood and Lawndale but none have even compared to what I saw in the Lower 9th Ward in New Orleans. This was because the area had suffered a natural disaster which was unlike anything that ever happened in Chicago.

There were only a few good things in the area in therms of improvements. A newer flood wall along the gulf which was taller in height and thicker in depth than the old one was erected following the hurricane. Houses are now being elevated by reinforced stilts to allow flood waters to run under the house without sweeping it away during a hurricane. Also actor Brad Pitt donated a large amount of time and money to build new state of the art affordable homes for residents of the Lower 9th Ward.

These improvements have helped to make life better for residents of the Lower 9th Ward, but there still is along way to go. It's shocking how popular upper class areas like the French Quarter were quickly evacuated and well preserved and the impoverished Lower 9th Ward was blatantly neglected by the system during the hurricane as well as the aftermath and still is today. I hope to do more work in the Lower 9th Ward next year!

A Few Photos :)

The perfect end to our trip, an ENGAGEMENT!!! :) Congratulations Erica and Michael!!!
A parade! Why, you ask? WHY NOT?!?! :)
The Natchez! We passed by this ferry every day on our way home from Algiers on the commuter ferry!
This is Tyler, proud of his Cafe Du Monde cap :)

My Home Away From Home

I have a love for New Orleans that grows each time I visit. This trip was no different.

I really enjoyed the work at Harriett Tubman. We were able to have a range of experiences there. From leveling books (which I did a lot of) to cleaning rooms and from moving desks to putting books on shelves the time was one to remember. It was amazing to hear about how the school wished to transform the space. The school had once failed the students but with a good coat of paint, lots of love and a dedicated staff, when those doors re-opened for school, they were going to re-open to success! I am glad I had a small part in that!

This trip was one of the best (if not the best) one thus far. I was able to meet some great people. We shared great stories of the trip and of our lives. Everyone had a different but unique story. I love more group (go trip 1, trip 1)!

Lastly, I learned about myself. I am always looking to be a better me and this trip helped me to do even more personal reflection. This trip always makes me think about the teacher I want to be as I enter the new school year. I know I want to be the positive teacher that makes every child (or at least most) happy to enter 206 each and every day (all 180 of them). I want to be the teacher my students remember when they have children and tell stories about what it was like to be in 5th grade. At Harriett Tubman, each of those teachers, administrators and employees wanted to be that person. I will be that teacher this year!

Thank you NOLA... I will see you again next year.

heat, happiness & hope in NOLA

The heat and humidity was quite a force of nature this trip...it forced us to slow down like the residents of NOLA/Algiers. I was so happy that we made so much progress with what seemed at first like an insurmountable task of leveling, sorting and marking thousands of books to be ready for the library...but the TEAM did it! How some of us take books for granted!In the midst of a neighborhood that has seen better times, (right here in America!) stands Harriet Tubman School...to me it might as well be called HOPE SCHOOL! The dedicated teachers, staff, security, charter team make one's heart swell with pride.
New Orleans can be gritty and intense, but oh so much good food and music!Yea for snow balls and sazeracs!! The Katrina Musuem is new - so worth attending...gives a pretty clear picture of what took place and why it is so important to continue to help the city, the people, the culture to thrive, in any small way one can.

A trip like this, hopefully makes one look at one's self, step outside one's comfort zone and maybe come away richer in ways you could not imagine...can't wait to go again! Thank you to Karen, whose tireless work makes it a great experience for each of us.

My Trip to New Orleans and What I Learned

What did you expect from this experience?

I expected to help rebuild the school and learn about the struggles that children in New Orleans face in getting a good education. I thought New Orleans would be a very special city to enjoy and see.

What did you learn about yourself - based on what you did at the school?

I learned that I am a very helpful guy. I got to do all kinds of jobs at the school. I did some painting of the classroom walls. I also got special jobs from Kate, Jessica, and Julie who work at the school. These jobs included going to the Cultural Center and cleaning out Julie’s old office, putting boxes of school materials in the classroom and looking for some of Julie’s materials that were scattered around the school. When I was with our group I mostly did leveling of books in the classrooms.

The neighborhood of the school that I worked at was in a poor area. I feel lucky to live in a nice neighborhood and to have gone to nice schools that were very clean and had lots of school materials.

How have you changed from your experience in this service learning experience?

I was so proud to contribute to helping rebuild a school. I enjoyed being in one of the coolest cities I have ever been to. I enjoyed the culture, food, people and the French Quarter. I liked the group mates I was with and the time we spent together. Our group accomplished a lot and I am very proud contributing to the group.

PACE Students with Kate Mehok, Crescent City Charter Schools

Sweet Home Chicago!!

After arriving at Louis Armstrong Air Port I checked my bag and went to information desk. A female clerk at information desk asked me " Do you need some help?" so, I told her "Yes, I'm from Chicago, today is my last day here, I play 5 different musical instrument and could you please take a picture of me in front of uncle Louise's statue?" After the picture taking the clerk at the information desk asked me "Would you like some beeds" so, I asked her "is it free?" and she told me "Yes" and told me "Welcome to New Orleans" so, I told her "Mamm today is my last day and I'm going to Chicago so, you need to tell me welcome to Chicago" When we got to near by gate I bought Nina and Karen bloody Merry and Karen paid tip. It was good ,but after 2 hurricanes and bloody merry I felt like a tipsy. After boarding on American Air Line I felt right to sleep and woke up when flight attendant woke me up for drink. After getting off, I made pit stop at lady's room and I went to straight to baggage claim. After got my bag my parents picked me and Jennifer up from Terminal 3 and came home. After pizza dinner Jennifer and I went to straight to bed. It was really fun trip and I learned the importance of helping hand and how to manage my time well between work and play. Everyone was felt like one great big family and I wish we all keep in touch together and hopeing to go back soon. I thank Karen Roth, my parents, Tony the taxi driver, all the people at hotel especially Ann, Justin, Cynthia and Brightney.

Day#7 in New Orleans.

I ate well balanced breakfast. I heard from the lady at cafe' Du Monde that she wasn't sure that I could take a can of coffee that I bought on the plane or not. So, I decided to gave a can of coffee to Ann as farewell present. Ann told me "Please come back and gave me a great big hug" so, I told her "Don't quit and don't retire". I went to The Cathedal Basilica of St. Louis with Karen, Kate Zilla and Jennifer Hager. It felt so good to go to church. After the mess I got seperated from church group and got lost a bit ,but later I finally got reunited with church group. It was shopping day for the PACE group (Lauren K, Lauren H, Jennifer, Ryan and I) we went alot of different shop on Royal Street. I had to buy something with Aligator so, I bought a aligator doll, I bout a dozen of Rum flavored candy from Laura's candy shop and when Karen told me I can take can of coffee home I bought 2 cans of Cafe' Du Monde coffee one for my parents and one for my grand mother. On the way back to hotel I bout 1/2 pound of assorted flavor of Salt Water Taffey and 2 scoops of Strawberry Ice cream from fudge shop. I also got a drink Hurricane to go and drank straight up. It was tasty. Just before we board Tony and Mason's taxi cab Lauren K. and I went to a bar across street and got a hurricane the drink and drank straight up.

Day #6 in New Orleans.

Today, I woke up usuall then early like 5:50. I packed some of my clothes. After breakfast all of us took ferry to work for very last night. When we got off I took quick picutre in front of Louise Armstrong statue. I finished all the "I" book. Ms. Kate who we worked together and provided pizzas gave all of us stickers and took a picture with PACE group. Lauren Helmick and I observated school and saw how were they stricked and instead of clapping they snaped fingers.
It made me think of schools in Korea 'cause we have same kind of school system. After the work all the people went to Cafe' Reconsile and I had a cat fish Po Boy and a whole desert for myself. After heavy lunch Sarah, Margery, Kate, Ryan, L.K. and I took Katrina tour with Tony. We saw some of the damadge that Katrina caused. We saw through picture how Bred Pitt helps the victims and was Fats Domino's old studio. After the tour I felt so hot so, I jumped into the pool with street cloth on. Karen, Judith, Eunice, Tyler, Jennifer, Kate and I went to a very nice Mexican place called Superior Grill for dinner and it was very good. I learned that I'm lucky that Chicago doesn't have any Hurricane and felt very sorry for the victim.

August 4th (Day#5)

*20 Days till my birthday*
Woke up, had a blue berry muffin and a cup of OJ.
Frank, Jennifer, Lauren H, Ryan and I took earier bus which we were dropped right in front of school. I put B, C, and AA level of book in the box. For lunch I went to Brothers and had 4 oieces of chicken and a energy drink called Munster. After the work Kate Zilla recommend me to try snow ball. It was very similar to snow cone. I had Extra large size of Root Beer Snow ball. Oh no! While getting it there was a bus!! Kate and I had to run marathon to catch the bus!! While everyone else walked Judith, Eunice and I decided to take street car back to our hotel. Karen, Judith, Phylis, Kate and I decided to go to Ryan's Pub. I had a bottle of Millar Genuine Draft and a glass of Guiness. After I got back to our lovely hotel I decided to have a roomie night with Jennifer. I bought a foot long roasted beef subway for dinner, bought a New Orleans t-shirts, a Loise Armstrong CD and a package of beeds. On the way back, I decided to be a nice daughter to my parents and decided to get a present for my loving parents. I was thinking and thinking and remembered when all of us wnet to Karen's house for Orientation meeting drinking Cafe' Du Monde's coffee which was really good so, I decided to buy a can of it and ordered 7 orders of beneyae and ate it all. On the way back to hotel, I stopped by Walgreens and got Powerade and a can of starbuck's coffee. After the Walgreens Jennifer and I found a huge Daiquiris shop so, I bought 24oz of Pina Colada and Jennifer bought 24 oz of Virgin Margarita and we drank all. It was tasty ,but I felt a little tipsy. I learned it's ok to drink alcohol ,but know my limit.

Books.. Ferries.. and Marriage Proposals

I woke up early Wednesday, August 3, 2011, and I was waiting anxiously to hop on that plane back to a place I call home, NOLA. This service trip almost did not happen for me this year, and I was so bummed when I thought I would miss it. Thankfully, through the grace of Southwest Airlines and my lovely Momma Nina, I was able to board that plane and meet Group 2 in NOLA.

As the plane was descending, I got butterflies in my stomach. I MADE IT!!!! I practically ran off the plane and to the airport shuttle to get to Bienville House. I arrived "home" and Mr. Lucious smiled his gentle smile and said, "I remember you, welcome back!" I smiled back and greeted him with similar words of kindness. Ms. Cynthia was waiting behind the front desk. "Hello Ms. Erica. Ms. Karen and the group have been waiting for you. They should be back soon." She handed me my key, and I was on my way to drop off my stuff and explore the city while I waited for the gang to return from working in the schools.

I went to the Gumbo Shop for their famous seafood gumbo and catfish po'boy sandwich. I wandered through the spectacular cathedral. I roamed through the Katrina and Mardi Gras exhibit, and went to the Cabildo Louisiana State Museum. I sucked in as much information as possible and was humbled by the history the city has to offer. Everyone I encountered was happy and stressfree. I was quickly remembering why I love NOLA. It is Southern Hospitality at it's best. I walked around a bit more until I got a text from Ms. Angela that everyone was finally heading back "home". I walked my way over and was welcomed with hugs and kisses. I heard all about the fantastic work they had been doing at Harriet Tubman Elementary and was inspired to get to work the next morning.

We headed to Harriet Tubman early on Thursday to get as much done as possible. We wanted to make sure we could get this room with thousands of books organized and all books categorized according to their Fountas and Pinnell reading levels. I was put to work eye-balling the books that we could not find a reading level for, and analyzing the reading difficulty level of too many books to count. I was brought back to my childhood with some great classic books, and also got a chance to read/skim through some books I had never seen before. It made me realized that what we were doing at Harriet Tubman was so very important, and I could not wait for students to have access to all the great book options available. We had one more day buried in books and made amazing progress. I just wish I had been their earlier in the week to get the full experience of accomplishment.

This trip is something we plan for and wait for in anticipation every year, and I am so very humbled by the work we do. I am forever thankful to all that made it possible for me. The rest of the time in NOLA was spent eating yummy food (Cafe du Monde, Deanie's, Cafe Reconcile, and Commander's Palace) and being with old and new friends. Our Friday ended with a surprise visit from my boyfriend who drove 15 hours to propose to me in front of Jackson Square; an EPIC moment. It was an amazing trip; alright. So, as my NOLA family was returning to Chicago, I spent one more day with my fiance and got a chance to listen to some great music at the Sachmo Festival. NOLA 2011 is definitely one I will always remember, and hold dear to my heart. I will see everyone soon, and I cannot wait for next year.

Day #4 in New Orleans.

Oh my God!!!!!!!!!!!!! Times goes so fast and I woke up at 6:45!! I took a very quick shower and ate breakfast. Took the ferry as usuall and went to work. I did painting and even got some paint on my face, on pants and even on my arm. All the members from group #2 except Lauren K ate pizza. It was nighty delicious I ate 6 pizzas. I bought a big bottle of mountain dew while we were wating for to bus to come. While some of us went into the shade Sarah and I stayed out in the sun getting some tan. Frank, Judith, and I took street car while everyone walked about 8 miles back to hotel. The weather was so hot I took another shower. For dinner Kate Zilla, Lauren Helmik, Jennifer Hager, Judith, and Eunice went to a very nice place. The waiter explained about the menu to us so well we knew what we want right away. I got a bottle of local beer, crawfish pasta and French Onion Soup it was yummy. After the dinner Kate, Judith, Eunice and I went to a Jazz club called Preservation Hall. We joined Karen and Tyler who were in line before me. The place was cool had a shop ,but no air conditioning. I bought a cute white shirt and Kate bought a red shirt. When I went in the live band was playing great selection of music like Saints Go Marching In. I asked Karen "Do you think the band will play What A Wonderful World if I ask them?" Karen was smiling and told me "Go for it". A lady who was MC told me maybe in the next show. I went to Trombone player and told him "Hi My name is Caroline Kim and I'm visiting from Chicago and if you play What A Wonderful World as first song in 2nd act then I will sing for you." Guess what? The band played and I sang it. I even got a big shot badge and went to a bathroom where I have to pay a tip to women. On the way home we stopped by a mini grocerry store, even got a small bag of hurricane mix Party!! Party!! , got a fruite smoothie and got my favorite chocolate milk. After come back to hotel I watched Shark Week with Tyler and Karen until 11:00p.m. It was so much fun and best of all I was a big star. I just love New Orleans. In my mind preservation Hall was 200% better than Maple Leaps.

My Day #3 in New Orleans.

Because, I didn't went to bed until 11:45 when I woke up I felt very tired. It was same breakfast at hotel so, I didn't like it too much. Today, I sorted books into boxes and put raiting through grade level. I ate 3 pices of fried chicken and French Fries from a place called Brothers. It was just down the street from our work site. Brothers chicken was well seasoned and very tasty. I really liked todays work better than yesterday. On the way back instead of taking ferry (a large boat) some of the member of our team walked to bus stop. The bus was si nice and cool. We got on the street cars and I just loved it. It was my 2nd time in my life riding on it. First time was in San Francisco back in 2006. After getting off the street car we walked for a bit and decided to go to Ryan's Irish Pub and try local beer. It was very nice and refreshing. For dinner we went to local diner and had great cat fish meal. For desert I ate 1 scoop of rasberry sherbert at Stanley's. After quick change of clothing Filice, Lauren K and I rode street car and went to a club called Maple Leaves where real party is. It was so much fun, but some people were heavily drunk and they were very touch.
It was very good meal and I worked hard and I experienced real party.

plane ride home

today we headed home. It was our last flight together. We all became like family over the week. It was a sad time though to leave everyone knowing though we will probally see each other again. Lots of hugs and tears. We had a safe trip home even with a delay from an engine problem. Welcome home everyone and remember we are one big family no matter where we are. This trip was a great trip with emotions, fun, hard work and more. I am so glad I went and feel I would come again. New Orleans if we can here I come again next year. I miss everyone who came and stay in touch.

It’s in the waiting, the interminable waiting… that’s where you can sometimes learn ‘between the lines’, on the way to this and that.

You learn that in some neighborhoods, public buses usually only come once every hour or so, and if you miss it you are late for work – really late, with no other apparent options.

You find that people who are long accustomed to waiting for a bus on some hot and crowded street corner often seem easy with each other, greeting and speaking together… perhaps an unexpected gift of the waiting and slowness, this way of finding the deeper shade of common ground.

You discover that on a fiercely hot summer day the cool taste of a handmade Snow Ball (a mound of ice and corn syrup and fruitiness that takes so long to make that you have to run to catch the bus while precariously balancing it in your hand) is sooo sweet and delicious… and that it makes the waiting well worth it.

You realize that a nondescript Qwik Stop with a too-narrow overhanging roof can become a place of refuge for singing in the afternoon rain together, song after heartily sung song, to pass the time until the long awaited and seemingly random bus comes by.

You come to understand that the long space between getting off of a ferry and onto an overdue bus can be made shorter by discovering the generosity of spirit and simple hospitality that turn out to be present

in an otherwise closed bar, a bar where at 9 a.m. in response to our persistent knock, the door swings open and the owner grants your simple request for some much needed ice to keep some hand-carried lunches we are bringing to work barely cool until the bus comes.

When you really look, you see that when a person falls down at some broken curb across the street from where you and others are waiting for yet another bus in the sweltering hotness of shadeless summer heat, others can be slow to help that person up… and that, as the fallen one finally rises with the help of kind strangers, when a certain pants stain and crookedness of walk become obvious, so too do her neighbor’s words sink in… that the pants and the walk and her fall more than suggest one too many drinks, and being hit by cars once too often when she sometimes veers into the busy street.

In the end, you recognize that you have the choice of knocking persistently, asking for favors, savoring Snow Balls, and singing in the rain with new friends, and that this place and time and circumstance are only temporary, the waiting perhaps made more bearable and easily tolerated just because you know you can leave soon and go back to your more comfortable home and life. It dawns on you that this has been a blessed time and most welcomed experience shared with a wonderful and spirited team… and yet there is this little voice telling you that those people who live in this neighborhood don’t always have a choice of whether or not to wait or to leave. Knowing that, you understand that you can’t really go back to the way things were before this trip.

kate zilla

aug. 6, 2011

First Trip and Hopefully Not the Last

After seeing the email from Karen Roth about the trip to New Orleans, I was excited about going. My oldest son has done many mission trips with the high school church group and has raved about the experience. With all of my kids being teenagers and above it was time for me to give back to the community. Application filled out and money sent in, I started to have second thoughts. I did not know anyone and was concerned about my kids’ schedules. My kids assured me they would be fine and husband said he would work from home a couple of days that week. He said go and enjoy.

After the orientation meeting, I was starting to get excited again. A week later I was at the airport waiting to board the plane. Plane was delayed 45 minutes on the tarmac and I was getting anxious to get to New Orleans. Finally we arrived in New Orleans, everyone was excited to get to the French Quarter to start explore (especially Robert). After a group lunch (thank you Ken), we broke up into smaller groups to explore the Quarter and to do some window shopping to look for the perfect souvenirs.

Monday morning the group was excited to get to work at Harriet Tubman Charter School. The school looked very impressive from the outside. However, inside was a totally different picture. We were told in a brief meeting that third and fourth graders were reporting in a week for summer school. The halls and some of the classrooms were packed with furniture and classroom materials. We were all thinking that there is no way the school was going to be ready. They needed our group to break into 3 smaller groups to tackle painting cafeteria pillars, painting a classroom and sorting books by reading level. Pillar painting went quickly, so we move to the classroom to help. Staples needed to be removed and then the painting could begin. While working in the classroom, we meet a young gentleman, who was working on the lights, who said that the classroom was his kindergarten classroom and was happy to see the school being taken care of.

The rest of the week was spent working on odds and end painting jobs, setting up classrooms for class, and don’t forget the never-ending books. With the help of two or three other groups of volunteers, the school looked ready for some students and well on its way to open for all students to report at the end of August.

After some hesitation at the beginning, I truly had a great time. The group, from the first week, made me feel young, but not young enough to ride the bull. Thanks for a great week and hopefully I will return next year.

Nola: Adventures In New Orleans Part 2

Today is the last day of work. We are still orgainizing the books for the library. It has been really interesting to be here and Im loving the progress and how well we are doing with it. Even though it is fun to go out for dinner and shop here my biggest pleasure is making a good impack for the Harriet Tudman school. Also Having lauren K as my roomie has been really cool and I had a chance to get to know her more even if I have known her for a year and a half now. She is a wonderful teacher and great friend! On another note, The whole nola part 2 group is very fun and I will miss everyone alot, I hope we all stay in touch. This service project trip showed me how to appreciate more in my life. I Hope I have the oppotunity to come back again! Til next time.....

Our Final Dinner Together

PACE Pride in NOLA

This is the first year that students and alumni from the PACE Program at NLU have joined the NOLA schools project.  For those who do not know, PACE is a two year post-secondary program for young adults with multiple learning disabilities.  The main goal of the program is to learn independence. 

We at PACE have a philosophy that life should be "a balance of work and play", and the PACE students who have journeyed this week to NOLA have demonstrated exactly that. 

As their instructor and friend, I am brimming with pride to watch them trek through the thick New Orleans heat every day by bus, street car, and ferry to Harriet Tubman Elementary, put in a full day of diligent work either painting, moving furniture, or sorting books, then be fully open and welcome to all of the social experiences offered to us in the evenings.  I am excited to see them interacting with all of the others on the trip, collaborating on projects, exploring the city, and building new friendships!  This is surely an experience they (and myself!) will always remember.

For several years now, PACE students have been involved in many different kinds of service learning projects, however none of them the size or scale of this trip.  We have walked and raised money for Epilepsy, Autism, Leukemia and Lymphoma, Breast Cancer, stuffed teddy bears for children in crisis, and made greeting cards for seniors- just to name a few. 

This trip enables you to completely immerse yourself in the project and task at hand- including meaning and learning about the people you are servicing, rather than just sending a check or taking a walk.  It is my hope and wish that PACE is able to continue to participate in future service learning trips!

Nola: Adventures In New Orleans

Hello, and Welcome to the Adventures in New Orleans 2011 trip!
The first person we met was Tony the driver. He is very cool and down to earth. After we all got off the plane we went to lunch at a very nice local place called The Gumbo Shop, where I had the Delishious Blackend catfish sandwich. Monday First day of work, I had the prevlige help paint of of the classrooms, which was really fun, I didnt even care that I got paint on my leg or anything. Tuesday at the school I sorted library books in a class room downstairs. Yesterday & today I sorted and stickered book again which is cool becuase we found a lot of older books that are really interesting. I was thinking about walking to burbon street with Ms K and some other people. Over all I love helping out with people and Im having a blast!! TIl 2morrow comes cya l8ers!!!

First Time in New Orleans

I really am glad i came on this trip. I met alot of people i would have never met. Coming to New Orleans has really opened my eyes and mind to be able to learn and see how the people/survivors of Katrina have really fought and built everything back up. It's been a cool experience. Some of the food i got to try was really good. If i had the chance to do it again i would have to say yes.

Aug 4th

Today was a fun experience so far. Not only worked on books but I got to go visit a classroom. It was interesting how they taught the curriculem. They taugt the students how to be polite, not make fun others of and to stay quiet while teachers talking. They sang a chant to tell themself they will respect the rules. They used away of teaching. I think this is a great way of teaching because you need to have a good structure for them to learn. If you dont have a good structure you never get experience to do right verse wrong. At work I try to make the students do things and try firsts and try it over and over till they can do it, and not let it go. with my students all the time. They learn then. In my experience my mom and dad passed away and I had to grow fast. So a good structure will help others learn. It was a shock how much I had to learn over night. Because I was helped a lot I had to learn more fast and it was hard.

Day 2 (Monday)

We went for breakfast at out hotel. It had a lot of great food ,but I sure missed bacon and sausage. We walked about 8 miles and rode a boat called Ferry. I also learned the meaning of charter school. We worked very hard and ate Meatball foot long Subway. It was raining like dog for 20 minuites and we sang and sang some golden oldies. Frank got some Chinese Ribs and gave me a piece to try and it was so good. I went to swimming in our hotel pool and killed my phone. At dinner time, Frank and PACE team found a really good Sushi place. I painted and moved furnitures. I haven't lifting anything for a while so, my arm we very soar. It was really good to feel the breeze and I want to come back next year with improved English.

August 2

Today we sort books. then i got to try something new. I looked up info to see what level the text books were and labled them. It went pretty well we worked for all day to do this. It got tiring and was hard work but it was great to learn a new skill. Today afterwards me and the two Laurens went to window shop and we met this guy who owned the store who survived the storm. He had lots to say. He told us that he had had a plan when he knew a storm was comming . He had money and did not use his credit card too much so he did not loose a lot of his value. we had fun hanging out.

Day 1 (July 31st)

I was bit tired because I had to wake up at 4a.m. Went to O'hare International Air Port and had Mc Donlad for breakfast in terminal 3.
After we arrived in Louise Armstrong Air Port we met up with a fine taxi driver named Tony just like Tony the tiger on my favorite celea which is Kellog's Frostrated Flake. All of us went to a fine restaurant called Gumbo Shop for lunch. I had Sea Food Gumbo and it was mighty delicious. I even tried my very first Bloody Mary. The waiter at Gumbo Shop was so friendly and told us to please come back. After the lunch we went to Katrina museum and saw how Katrina happened, and heard survivors story through audio and video equipment. Even though New Orleans was hit hard by Katrina it is rebuilding it self so people should come and visit. It reminds me that we should not conplain about what we don't have. We should thank God aobut what we do have and lend the helping hand it it's possible.

august 1st

This morning we went to the school. The school was old. Some of us got to paint walls and sort books. It was great experience knowing that we were helping others. Everyone were so polite at the school. We painted the classrooms and then we sorted the books to get ready for the library. That night Frank, Caroline, Lauren, and Lauren, and I went to sushi restaurant and had a good meal. It was great to be in a group and meet some others.

Why did I decided to Join The NOLA schools Project

When I heard about NOLA School Project form Ms. Lauren Kornhouser I was so excited.
I get SSI from government so, I didn't know that my parents can afford to pay for this trip ,but my mom paid it right away and boy I'm so glad to come to New Orleans with Awsome People.
All I knew about New Orleans was Jazz, Louis Armstrong and Huricane Katrina.
Since the day I arrived at Louis Armstrong International Air port I learned so much about it.
I've never been to any kind of trips except going to South Korea for family vacation.
Since I came I learned so much about New Orleans and I want to share it with all of you.

new orleans july 30th

Today we arrived to New Orleans. We had a great flight. When we got to hotel it was amazingly fancy and old looking. Everyone was so kind. We experienced a restaurant with gumbo which i had and the waitress were thanking us for comming to eat and give him buisiness, lot of the peope had lost lots of things in business and was interesting to see what they had to say. We went to the Katrina museum right after. This told us all about the hurricane. They talked about heroes and surrivors of the katrina. It was amazing to see all what happened. I teared up relizing that people have lost more than lots of us in the hurricane than me just loosing my parents. So this was a good start of helping others.

Every trip is individual

I am reminded, each trip, how special the members of our team are. Each trip has been peopled with exceptionally warm, humorous, giving, responsible members. This trip is no exception.

Our team members work hard with purpose and good humor. Each task we are given is met with "OK let's go get it done." There is a feeling of camaraderie as we set about our work.

This week we are leveling books. The room we first entered looked like a rubble of discarded boxes and loose books. Our team got down, and today, 3 days later, the room actually looks like a workable class room and the books are ready for teachers to choose books for their classes and for some to be placed in the library.

Judith and I spent the day yesterday helping the front office organize the student's files by making labels for almost 500 folders.

Today, I spent some time observing the principal teach an orientation class. It is impressive to see the way the children respond to her. Everything she had to say was positive, the boys and girls can do everything they are asked. They are rewarded for their attention. It's a good start to the new term.

Now, I must get to work.

Day Four -

I'm a little ragged this morning. We've been working diligently at Harriet Tubman School in Algiers since EARLY Monday morning -- in the heat. in the rain. in a building sorely needing love and attention. --creating a library from roomfuls of books in crates and stacks! painting ceilings and creating "permanent-record" files (you know the ones!) It's all good.
This is my second gig with the NOLA partnership; I missed last year. But I really missed last year. This experience is good for one's soul. We come to New Orleans to help rebuild a city one school at a time, but I think we really rebuild our spirits. I do. The city is magical and the work we do is so very appreciated one can't help but be enchanted. At the end of the day, at the end of the week, we know and feel, that we made a difference.
Our group of volunteers is small, diverse, strong and focussed. We work in groups of people we just met, with whom we never would have met otherwise. We form friendships with the people we meet on the streetcar.

Chicago’s Finest

NOLA! NOLA! NOLA! How we love you so!

This is my second year working with this wonderful endeavor. I was excited when I received the email from Karen to be a part of this experience once again. As we boarded the plane leaving Chicago group 2 were all excited to roll up our sleeves and get to work.

Upon arrival we did our tradition of eating lunch at The Gumbo Shop while Karen filled us in on what was to be expected of us once we started our work day at Harriet Tubman School. We couldn't wait to get started. This year we all were fortunate enough to take part in the hurricane Katrina exhibit which opened this year. Karen had informed us over lunch that the exhibit was must see. As we walked throughout each area our mouths dropped, eyes filled with tears, hearts sank and then rejoiced as we further uncovered and understood what Katrina really did not only to the city but to the people who inhabited it. The key word for New Orleans and it's people..RESILIENCE! Viewing this as the start of our trip is definitely a way to open or eyes and solidify the true meaning of why we're here.

As we started our first day we entered a world unknown at Harriet Tubman and a room filled with books piled high to the ceiling and wall to wall. Our group was determined to tackle this mountain head on. With each box of books we cracked opened and leveled we all marveled and reminisced about our own childhood and how much the students would enjoy reading these books just as much as we did. Half of our group began painting classrooms and transforming them into welcoming rooms for the anticipating teachers and students. By the end of our first day we were exhausted but accomplished.

As the heat and sun greeted us on day 2 our team was ready to hit our little dungeon and sort books. Our mountain had now turned into a valley of books and we were making wonderful progress. Teams were hard at work and making progress all over the school. Several teachers marveled at the progress our team had made just on day 2 and one of them Mr. Briggs dubbed our group "Chicago's Finest" and that was us!

As Chicago's Finest arrived on day 3 we finally began to see our progress and the floor of our book room. Organized books were all over the place under their respective letter level and finally our beloved and needed dots had arrived! Yay! Hallways had been painted, classrooms filled with desks and our books stacks were down to low double digits. Team 2 rocks!

As our team massages sore muscles, aching backs, swollen feet and washes away paint the smiles still radiate from our faces. Our hard work, dedication, commitment and selfless acts are truly making a difference and this school is coming alive. I am amazed how our little family is once again transforming each school we visit.

Shantell
2nd Year Alumni

Day Four: An Early Start

Good Morning New Orleans :)

A small faction of us decided to hop the early bus to Algiers this morning to get a great jump start on our day at Harriet Tubman Elementary School. When we arrived, we were absolutely THRILLED to see ACTUAL CHILDREN lining up for their full day of scholarly knowledge. Red and Blue polo shirts designate their grade, with well pressed black slacks and shoes. There was a readiness in their eyes, which makes every move we make here worth it times one thousand.

When we arrived in the "Book Room" (as it's been lovingly dubbed this week) on Monday, it was an absolute disaster area.... The boxes full of books were not even close to being organized, and piled high almost to the ceiling, arbitrarily placed all around the room. Today, we have come so far as to have an alphabet all along the walls, A-Z with labelled boxes full to the top with the books that belong there, two full size tables stacked high with reference books we've found in our organizing efforts. The change has been remarkable. At one point one of the teachers from upstairs came down to say hello, and his first words, when he crossed the threshold will stick with me forever.

"This is an enormous beehive of accomplishment happening in front of me right now, and I love it!!"

I have taken a moment every once and awhile while I'm here to just observe what we've accomplished so far. It's amazing! Every day when we head towards "home," we are sweating, exhausted and fulfilled. I think that if you work a full day down here and you're not utterly exhausted and complete, there must be something wrong with you! By the time we're headed back "home" to Bienville House, we are relying solely on our feeling of accomplishment and knowing that if we get there soon enough, there is a cold glass of lemonade and a smile from Ms. Brittani, Ms. Cynthia or Ms. Beverly waiting for us in the lobby of our house.

Our work is very tedious. VERY tedious. But it's the patience we are exercising this week that will benefit every single child in this school. One thing we must remember while we do the work we do is we are not doing this work for US. "This is not about YOU." - Persay... This work is about the children. This work is about their future. The school needs us to do what we're doing, so we must give it our all. And so we do :)

Tonight, provided we can scrounge up some energy after our 4th day of work, we plan to ride the Green Street Car Line to the very end, through the garden district, and turn around and come back :) Just because it's beautiful, breathtaking, and because we CAN!

There is only a small amount of books waiting to be sorted at this point. The end of leveling is in sight!!! We finally received the sticker dots yesterday, and so that is what will encompass the end of our day today, and our entire day tomorrow. This library will be COMPLETE!!! I promise you!!!

<3 Angela and Mama Nina
- 4 Year Alumni -

We do.

Each day here begins somewhat the same. We roll out of bed, stretch aching muscles, slap deoderant on to whatever body parts we know will need it. We pile out of our gorgeous hotel into the street and hike to the bus stop. We marvel at all the wonderful old buildings and history contained within each city block. We wait on corners with our coffee cups and backpacks, and then we board the bus for a day of work.
Somewhere between our sore backs and thighs hitting the bus seat and our departure onto General Meyer Avenue in Algiers, New Orleans changes. Buildings are less statuesque, in need of paint and TLC. Grass grows knee high. Garbage cans overflow. But here, in the less "beautiful" areas, is where true magic is happening.
We all clamber up the steps to Harriet Ross Tubman Charter school, recieve our smiley-adorned visitors pass, and with our minds set to a day of work, we begin. Since our arrival here on Monday, we have teetered on ladders to paint classrooms, cramped our backs and knees into little chairs to sort dusty, forgotten books, and made mad dashes down the street in the sweltering heat on our lunch breaks to Brothers for some cold pop or sinfully greasy fried something-or-others. We have had kind, generous people point us in the direction of the right bus, or the better route, or the best overhang to stand and sing under while the sky pours down on us. We have sweat a whole lot, and had that sweat mix with dust and paint and rain to form a special slurry that coats our arms and knees and eyebrows. But we have worked hard, and accomplished much. We sauntered into our home base in the basement and stood over our kingdom of neatly stacked books and felt fulfilled. That feeling sustains us, the sensation of having "done good" for the world, for an area of our country that has so much to offer both in its physical beauty and the beauty of its people.

Every morning starts the same, but every day when we leave, we move this school a little closer to something amazing. We do a little more to help the future of NOLA lift itself up, to set an example to the world that you can survive the absolute worst and become stronger and better for having done so. Our work here is beautifucation and is emancipation and is absoultely essential. So we roll up our sleeves, and we do. We do what we can, what we must, what is asked of us, what we should.

I am proud of our group, from all walks-- teachers, students, lovers of beautiful buildings and people. We have done so much for a city with a heart that almost stopped beating once, but lived. This city has its scrapes and bruises, its painted mascara coated eye and a bandage on its cheek, but it lives, and breathes, and our work breathes back into it.

And because no more words of mine can do justice, I will let poet Peter Cooley say them for me:

Because the spirit, too, knows loneliness,
disasters happens in the universe
and someone like myself, the smallest of men,
Finds grace, a nimbus on the wall at noon.

(From "Third Heaven", a poem by NOLA resident Peter Cooley)

Back to work, we have much to do.
-Marjorie

In NO and working

(once revised)

Hi all:

I second what Ms. K said. Tasks that have been assigned at the Harriet Tubman Charter School (hereinafter "HTCS") have included painting, assigning levels to books that will be in the library, sorting said books, and labeling and organizing file folders. Due to a bout of gout, I've pretty much sat on my toochus each day, leveling books. Today, Wed., 8/3/2011, I did something different -- labeled and sorted student files. Ooooo. Ahhhhh.

It is really amazing how much work needs to be done to prepare HTCS for the coming academic year. Rooms were in disarray, boxes of books filled up many rooms. In the time we have here, we will probably be able to only organize one room of books. Nevertheless, by the time we get done, all of the books should be appropriately assigned to a reading level, and organized for ease of access by the students and teachers. Nothing in my NLU education even remotely hinted that this was something that had to be done. Certainly, as a former attorney, this never even came up on my radar.

During our time at HTCS, we met another group of volunteers who did a lot of cleaning and painting. Our group also contributed to the cleaning and painting. However, this is another job that one would not normally attribute to teachers. The NLU group worked very hard during the day, but also hada lot of fun. Many trips down memory lane are taken when somebody would wave a book, squeal and say, "Awwww, I remember this ...."

After work, many of us took in the culture and got to know each other better. Unfortunately, I've had to do homework that is due the day I get back so. I hope I'll be able to get the homework done before I leave, so that I can also take advantage of the world-famous New Orleans hospitality.

This trip has been an eye-opening experience into the kind of work teachers will need to do before rolling in a new academic year, the resilience of the New Orleans people, and the amount of work that a group of dedicated volunteers can do in a week.

Frank

Task Masters

The hum of the window AC unit, tiring overhead fluorescent lighting, 80s music playing softly in the corner, and about a dozen volunteers buzzing around the room calling out random children's book titles as they sort through hundreds and hundreds (and hundreds) of randomly piled books in a storage room in the basement of Harriet Tubman Elementary School in Algiers, New Orleans.  I am sitting, taking a break from painting a stairwell and patiently awaiting for our lunch to be delivered. 

"Goosebumps!"  "What are we doing with the Lemony Snickets series again?"  "Awww, I remember this book!"  "What is this shower curtain doing here?"  "Pizza's here!"  And they all scurry upstairs.

When we arrived on Monday this room was filled nearly to the ceiling with piles and boxes of disorganized books for the school's library which were haphazardly stored here when the school was taken over by a new charter last spring.  Each individual book has to be looked up online to find it's grade level and sorted as such, then color-coded, and eventually (we haven't gotten there yet!) put into their library upstairs.  It is a very slow process as not every book has been cataloged online.  So it is a matter of searching several sites to find the grade level; many times it may not be found and the veteran teachers will "eye-ball" the grade level and make a judgement call.

Now it is Wednesday and the room is about 75% sorted.  We have even managed to get some painting in where we have been asked- a classroom on Monday and today a couple of stairwells. 

I am absolutely in awe of the people I am working with, veterans and greenhorns to this experience alike.  They are what I like to call "task masters" (some of my favorite kinds of people!).  They are given a job to do- and they don't complain, they don't ask why, they don't hesitate, they just do.  It is people like this who make things happen and make change happen.  I feel very fortunate to have met them all, and be working by their sides.

Shaking in Anticipation

Hello Team 2!!!!

I am still in Chicago, waiting to catch up with everyone in NOLA and see what progress you have had without me. I leave tomorrow morning and will be there in time for lunch. I can't wait to work in the schools and make a difference in the world of teachers and students. Keep up the good work and see you all soon.

Erica

Service Learning Experience

I was very nervous going in to New Orleans as I had no clue what I was getting in to. But from the moment we started from Ohare, there was a stange enthusiasm in the group. Most of us immediately connected with each other and it felt like I was travelling with a bunch of friends.


New Orleans is a very unique city. The place where we lived for seven days, "Bienville House", is located in the heart of French Quarters. We walked around French Quarters a lot and most people felt like they were walking on some movie sets, as it has narrow streets with aritstic buildings from time of French and Spanish invasion. We did tour the ninth ward and other areas that were badly affected by Hurricane Katrina. There is wide spread disparty that seemed obvious in New orleans - people are either rich or poor. Middle class seems to have migrated out of New Orleans after Katrina.


Our assigment was to help the school Harriet Tubman, reorganize to start in August. This school was an interesting site. It looked huge and beautiful from outside. But inside was a different story. Everything was rotten, messy and just dumped around in the classrooms. Teams of Voulnteers like us from diffrent areas, spent numerous hours together to help paint, regorganize and set up the classrooms in the school.


My experience with the locals of New orleans, the community in general and my newly formed friends was amazing. The highlight of our Trip was the Zoline family. Robert and Jeff Zoline were very bright and easy kids to hang out with. While Jeff was our offical guide and photographer, Robert was the entertainer and a friend, who made everyone's day with his questions. The best of all was their Dad, Ken Zoline, who everyone nicknamed as Pappa bear because he was everywhere looking out and protecting us all. I would never forget this experience as I heard so many stories from the local's as how their life has changed after Katrina. I even met up with a friends mom who lives in New orleans and never knew she drove 21 hours with all the traffic alone to reach Houston when they had to evacuate New Orleans. . It was wonderful experience. Thank you to all who were a part of my experience.

My back ground

Hi My Name is Caroline Kim. I was born and raised in Korea until 1992 when my whole family came to USA. At the beginning I had very hard time learning English so, I had to watch Sesame Street so many days to learn English. My very sociable and love to meet and talk to people. I recently found a job at Goodwill. I'm so, excited and cannot wait to see you all in New Orleans. Almost time to party!!

As the days approaching to go to New Orleans for Service Trip I'm getting so excited about the city and love to explores the museum and just basically everything about New Orleans. There were so many new faces at the orientation meeting so, I was very nervous ,but now I'm super excited about the opportunity and the trip. I thank my parents for allowing me to participate, PACE Program Ms. Kornhauser and Karen Roth for everything.

Test

Hi all:

Just trying out the blogging system that we have at our disposal. It was great to meet everybody this past Saturday. Hope all is going well for the Week 1 volunteers. Can't wait to read about your experiences. In a week it will be me and the Week 2 volunteers. I hope we'll be able to gain from your experiences.

Frank

Getting prepared

Hi All,

This is my very first time for both, blogging and going on such a service learning assignment by myself. I was born and brought up in a traditional Indian Hindu family. So, I have had a very sheltered and protective upbringing. I had an arranged marriage and migrated to USA after marriage, where I experienced a very different living style and culture. In my early years, I always wanted to go back home as I felt very out of place here in USA. However, after my kids were born, I got more involved into the culture and the American society as I didn't want to raise kids who were alien to the world they were born in.

I started school and decided to get a degree in ECE field(as I found my interaction with my kids very rewarding). I already have a bachelors in accounting from India, but chose to change my career to become a teacher. I have lived in USA for almost 12 years and this is the first time I will be travelling alone, without my family and kids. I have never been away from my kids. I have never even hired a babysitter as I always took them everywhere with me. I am a homemaker and chose to do evening school, so I could be there for them.

I feel that it's time now to do something that will force me to be out of my comfort zone and look in to something farther and beyond my horizons. Even though I am nervous about the whole experience, I am ready mentally to take the challenge and experience something new. My kids are also prepared mentally and happy to have their daddy home for all 7 days. I am thankful to National Louis, Karen Roth and most of all, my husband, who has supported me on my endeavors.

Today we met the members of our NOLA service teams, during the trip orientation - some are returning veterans of previous trips and some are brand new. It was good to learn about your backgrounds and your purpose for being part of this experience. There was so much energy in the air that I can image the great bonding that will occur among each team. Look forward to our work and building frendships. You are all now alumni of the NLU's Partnership with NOLA Schools Project.

See you in Naw'leans

Congratulations to our 5th Summer Service teams to NOLA

I am so excited to be coordinating 2 outstanding teams to New Orleans as we continue with our 5th summer of service to the public schools of NOLA. The students, alumni and faculty, and supporters representing NLU, are greatly appreciated in NOLA, and recognized for our professionalism and caring to the needs of the teachers and children. Our service this year is with Harriet Tubman K-8 Charter school in the Algiers Parish. A take-over school by the NOPSD, our friend, and NLU almuni, Julie Lause, submitted a charter proposal under the new managment team of Crescent City Schools. We will work with Julie and her newly hired team of educators as we prepare the school for the new academic year. After 5 summers, and with returning service team members: Eunice Shapiro, Angela DiAgostino, Nina DiAgostino, Adrienne Waller, Kathleen Boyle, Shantel Baker, Erica Morales, Erin Bosman, Phyllis Coleman,Judith Hurwich, and Tyler Steinemann, supporting our new team members: Susan Bolton, Jeffrey Herning, Danielle Lappin, Theresa Majkrzak-Anderson, Emily Popescu, Jigna Shah, Jillian vanTuyle, Lillian Yawanis, Ken Zoline, Robert Zoline, Jeffrey Zoline, Sarah Susan Cortesi,Jennifer Hager,Lauren Helmick, Ryan Hoffman, Caroline Kim, Lauren Kornhauser, Marjorie Thomas, Frank Yang and Kate Zilla, we will make formidable teams. I am proud of their commitment to the work and to their eagerness to learn through service. Enjoy the reflective contributions we will be posting here.

2011 NOLA here we come.

As we prepare for our next trip to New Orleans as few things come to mind. The first is, as usual, the weather. The world has experienced the most unusual weather this year and I can't imagine that New Orleans has been exempt from this. Hot..... I suppose it will be hotter than on our other trips (I can't imagine how that could be). Wet....some parts of our country have had so much water they seemed a lot like NOLA after Katerina, others have had no rain at all and are parched and desperate for relief. What will we encounter this year?

Second, our new school. So far we have worked on some interesting buildings trying to get them up and ready to receive students and engage excitement about learning. I'm sure this year we will do something similar. That is good for me, I look forward to seeing another school and having a hand in getting it ready for another academic year.

Third, our group. In a couple of days we will meet our new team. I am excited to see my "old" friends and meet some new ones. That's part of the fun of this experience.

Fourth, my friend Karen. I hope this is the best NOLA trip ever. Karen is such a special person, I want her to have a wonderful, spectacular, successful program. We'll go celebrate every night.
(with music, and food, etc. And of course, some coffee and beniets at Cafe du Monde).

Well, I will post more this year. I am learning how to do this blogging stuff.

Eunice