While receptions, lunches and events may showcase the cultural heritage of Louisiana, there’s another draw for groups: the beauty and strength of its people, brought into sharp focus after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Voluntourism has become a powerful force for change, allowing groups to help rebuild New Orleans and southern Louisiana.
Whether it’s a half-day corporate outing away from the conference or a multiday optional spouse or free-time activity, donating time and skill to these projects adds value beyond convention networking and provides attendees with an experience they’ll never forget.
There are several organizations that can help, from building new homes to helping restore city parks. Although all are important, points out Mary Beth Romig, director of communications and public relations with the New Orleans Metropolitan CVB, house construction is one of the most vital because it gets people back into their own home.
Perhaps the best-known organization, Habitat for Humanity (504.861.2077; www.habitat nola.org) has been building sites throughout the New Orleans metro area, including Musician’s Village in the Upper 9th Ward. The minimum group size is 15, and they accept large groups of several hundred. Materials are provided, but there is a cost per person to offset insurance. The organization can assist in ordering special T-shirts for a group.
One organization formed after the hurricane has quickly gained popularity, mainly due to its superstar founder, Brad Pitt. The Make It Right Foundation (504.208.9365; www.makeitrightnola.org) is currently in its fundraising stage, although it is taking information on groups that want to volunteer for down-and-dirty home-building duty. This foundation focuses on better home design while retaining the flavor and culture of the Lower 9th Ward.
A grassroots nonprofit organization, the St. Bernard Project (504.277.6831; www.stbernard project.org) is dedicated to rebuilding homes in St. Bernard Parish. Any size groups are welcome.So far, the project has rebuilt 175 homes on donated materials and volunteer muscle.
New Orleans City Park (504.483.9459; www.neworleanscitypark.com) suffered $43 million in damage during Katrina, and it suffered a major staff cut as well. If paint and hammers aren’t quite a group’s tastes, New Orleans City Park would love to have a group help in sprucing up the green space or in helping to keep the park’s 22 miles of shoreline clean. Groups of 20 people to 50 people are the easiest to manage, and groups always work with a staff member.
