Location: New Orleans, LA Length of Project: 2008 - 2010

We are currently scheduling volunteers up to 6 months in advance.
Length of Stay: Minimum stay of one week, arrive Monday, depart Saturday; Maximum stay of two week.

Maximum Team Size: Fifteen people 

Skills Needed: We are looking for individuals and teams of volunteers who have skills in: finish carpentry, laminate floor and ceramic tile instillation, concrete flatwork, painting and landscaping.  We are also looking for volunteers with a CDL A license.

Minimum Age:  Volunteers must be at least 14 years or older.  Youth ages 14-15 must be accompanied by their parent/legal guardian and youth ages 16-17 must be accompanied by an adult chaperone unless the team is registered as a Youth Group.  Youth Groups may serve with Samaritan's Purse and are required to complete a Youth Leader Covenant. 

Project Description:  In 2005 Hurricane Katrina ravaged the city of New Orleans leaving thousands homeless - many still remain homeless today.  In an effort to rebuild New Orleans, Samaritan's Purse is constructing and rehabilitating up to 50 homes for especially needy and displaced residents of the 8th Ward - providing quality structures that will become true homes.

Background Information: For decades, Samaritan's Purse has harnessed the energy of individuals, community and church groups to develop and facilitate a solid foundation of volunteer participation in efforts to improve the lives of individuals and communities. More than 19,000 volunteers have served with Samaritan's Purse post-Katrina and often return to volunteer multiple times.  

Samaritan's Purse was actively engaged in post-Hurricane Katrina relief efforts with five relief sites in the Gulf Coast Region; two in New Orleans and three in Mississippi.  In the more than 24 months following the storm's landfall, 4,800 volunteers from the United States and Canada gutted more than 2,400 homes in Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard and Plaquemines Parishes.  The passion and care of these volunteers is still alive today and we are blessed to be able to return to share the hope of Jesus Christ.

Rebuild New Orleans gives opportunities for families who are having difficulty getting ahead in the tough new economy of New Orleans by providing a newly constructed home. 

Samaritan's Purse requires each recipient family to provide labor for their home - giving homeowners a heightened sense of stewardship from the personal "sweat" equity they have invested in their homes.  Homeowners must meet financial criteria to apply to the program.

Additional Information:  Individual volunteers are welcome. Teams should be organized before contacting us and be ready to provide the number of team members, dates available, and other information on the Volunteer Registration. 

• Meals and sleeping quarters with bunk beds will be provided. Volunteers need to bring a sleeping bag or sheets, towels, and personal hygiene items.

• Volunteers may bring their own tool belt with hand tools, but it is not required.  Do not bring power tools, tool trailers, or pickup trucks with tool boxes containing tools or other items of value because highly secure parking is not available.