I am Covered in Paint- Alli

So today I helped paint murals on a day care wall at Kresent City Kids and I had a lot of fun, the place is going to look so greats when it is done. I would love to have all day cares and preschools look as fun as this one does. Even though this project was not a labor intensive, as many people would like, I still think it is an extremely important one because these little kids need a good environment to go to school and spend their days in, and the murals will most definitely help out with that.

It rained a lot today so many of our projects had to be changed or accommodated to the weather, and I think the group did well. We all had the chance to do something we enjoyed and even with the rain there was a variety of projects to choose from.

Luckily after the projects were over the rain stopped so we could go on walks, play knock out and four square and enjoy the outside weather as much as we could. I am really enjoying working with the group this year, and I like how the projects are different than last year allowing for us to have a different experience and learn different things than before.

Day 4 Garnett

Today was great I attended an animal shelter. I was a little worried about going, due to past experiences other group members had at animal shelter, but I overall had a fantastic time. The started off a little slow, but eventually picked up. We started by sorting through tons of newspaper for the animals. After two hours of sorting they asked a few of us to walk the dogs, which was great. I being me decided to walk the biggest of the dogs and was pulled up and down the field. I've never been an animal person, but after today I see why so many people are. I was a little disheartened to hear that over 92,000 animals are put down each year in New Orleans and the shelter puts down almost 50% of all incoming animals, but they've been taking many steps to become a kill-free shelter. After the shelter we returned to the United Saints and had dinner and reflection.

Today was our first official work day. The first day that we went out with the United Saints and worked on job sites. I have to admit, I was a bit apprehensive. I wasn't sure of the type of work we would be doing, but I was excited nonetheless. I ended up working at a Day Care painting murals on the walls, a job that was absolutely perfect for me.
Walking in, I was immediately struck by how beautiful it already was. Streetposts labeled with the major New Orleans streets, depictions of the trollies that transport the New Orleans people, and beloved children's book characters (such as the Lorax and Cat in the Hat) filled the walls with color and culture. Above everything else I've absorbed from this city stands the culture.
It is not simply that amazing murals fill any and all canvasses (seriously, this city takes graffitti to a whole new level), but the culture within the people of the city. Everyone is happy, and will go out of their way to make sure that you're happy, too.
One event that has stuck with me for a while now happened yesterday. I was walking down with a group to Smoothie King, passing by all sorts of people. One man, carrying a newspaper and clearly on his way somewhere, paused when he was about to pass me, and stretched out his hand. He asked me how I was doing. The way this man I had never met before took time out of his day to brighten mine still remains in the back of my mind, and will surely come home with me.
-Rachel Dows

Day 3 with Joe Recco

Today was the first official day of work for the week with United Saints. We had a meeting this morning about what to expect in the upcoming week and the possible events we could help with. I was honestly amazed by the variety of things to do and how different each one was. They went from painting murals to scraping paint off of walls. Everyone from our group set out in our vans to the various sites and went to work. People seemed very eager to actually start working and get down and dirty. That itself is a testiment to how dedicated most of our group members are. They get excited when they get the oppertunity to help. I wish that was a more common trait.

The task that I volunteered for was painting a church. This job required older students who were comfortable with ladders. I honestly hate ladders but I enjoy doing some crazy stuff that makes me a little nervous every once and a while. From what was required of us, it really wasn't that bad. We had to set up on the left side of the church and put another coat of paint on. It looked really good before we started painting and we kind of felt that we could be put to better use. Two of us, however, did paint new pieces of wood to be placed under the roof, replacing old, moldy ones. When everyone met up after the work day was finished everyone had something interesting to share, good or bad, strange or normal, extreme or dull. I am excited to hear what people will do in the next week and the impact they make on the New Orleans community.

ARC - Laurel

Today I went to a center that creates jobs and a safe area for people with intellectual disabilities in the surrounding community called ARC. I had no idea what to expect went I chose to go there. All I was told this morning was that I would be "sorting mardi gras beads". When we showed up we were given a tour by a sweet lady named Marge, affectionately called "Margey" by the people working there. This place had a huge garden, soup kitchen and bead recycling center all creating jobs for people with intellectual disabilities. We were assigned the job of organizing and sorting and packaging and heaving 30 pound bags of beads onto pallets. Basically what the organization does is collect used mardi gras beads from the festivals and parades around New Orleans, repackages them, and sells them to organizations that will be able to use them the following year. The work was tedious, but very worth while. However, the best part of the day came not from sorting beads, or doing the labor, but from the people we worked with. I spent my entire day with a man who was 44 named Mike. Mike had intellectual disabilities and was the nicest person I have met since coming down to NOLA, and New Orleans is home to some pretty friendly people. At first, he was shy and we made small talk about the ARC and his days. Over a couple of hours of packaging beads he began to become very fond of Maggie and I. He told us multiple times that we were his best friends, and that he loved having us here. He also presented us with presents multiple times of beads and various Mardi Gras trinkets. Then, he shared some sad stories. He told of us of a time when a man called him a stupid retard in the French Quarter. I could tell he was getting physically sad from this experience. He described how he felt in such depth that I almost began to cry myself. All of the people working at the ARC have been through a ton, especially living in a poor, disaster ridden city. It isn't right for someone as friendly as Mike to be put down like this.
However, I look at my experience today at the ARC with happiness. It is so great to see an organization succeeding. Now Mike is in a stable working situation, and I am overjoyed to see such success when often being down in New Orleans, we never see. I was left with positive feelings when Mike hugged me good bye and told me he loved me, and he would miss his new best friend. I knew that I was leaving him in a good situation and that I didn't have to worry for once about what would happen next. It's satisfying to see happiness amongst all the sadness we often face.

Sunday Adventures- Alli

So today we had two groups, one that went to ARNO and one that stayed back, went to services, and helped prepare our dinner for the night. After the group returned from ARNO we all walked to the French Quarter and spent a few hours there. It was a different type of day in the since that it was a little more unstructured than normal, but it worked. Most people seemed to have a good day, and most people who stayed back from ARNO found a way to make their day worthwhile.

It is really nice being back in the city again. At times it feels like I never left in the first place. I am so excited to start our week with the United Saints tomorrow, and I have enjoyed the weekend so far. I really do love this trip and all of the experiences I have, regardless of how big or small they are.

Day Two - Anastasia

Okay, so today was our second day in New Orleans doing some work around the city. Today I decided to actually stay close to United Saints and go to their church service in the early afternoon and stay to help cook dinner. All I can say is that i'm so glad I decided to stay close instead of going to a different worksite.

First of all the church service was something i've never experienced before. The meaning behind everything the same but the one thing that stuck with me was the way everyone was so friendly. People were making an effort to say hello, and thank us for coming to the church. The pastor even had us introduce ourselves and as I was leaving I thanked her and was saying goodbye, when she looked at me and went "I want to say your Anastasia" I was shocked. She met like 25 new people and she looked at me once, maybe twice and remembered my name.

The second high point of my day was while I was supposted to be helping with dinner. Due to the kitchen being small only a few people were needed. So, I stayed outside in the nice weather and was hanging out with other NOLA kids, and watching them play basketball. When one boy, who was 8 years old named Sean came over and started to play basketball with us. One thing about me is that i'm an AWFUL basketball player. But, I played some basketball with Sean, even some one on one and he was having a blast. I mean, this boy was maybe an inch shorter than me so I think he was also getting a kick out of being able to easily shoot on me. But, he eventually just looked at me and said "Hey! Mini Me!" I was confused and realized he was talking about me. I just laughed and ended up getting a new nickname from him. I still have no idea if he actually knows my name, but, I'm now his Mini Me. I just hope he comes by again throughout this week since I really enjoyed hanging out with Sean, and being his friend, Mini Me.