Volunteer in the USA

Community Development in

Many organisations in New Orleans provide important support to vulnerable people in a range of ways. Volunteers on the Community Development project help to contribute to these worthy causes in order to boost their resources and enable them to make as big an impact as possible.

Community volunteers in New Orleans operate in the heart of disadvantaged communities and on worthy causes that aim to directly benefit the lives of those who rely on such causes for food, shelter, clothing and other necessities.

Volunteers can assist in a range of ways, depending on where the need is greatest. You could be placed in a warehouse, homeless shelter, food bank, church or farmer’s market to provide targeted support wherever it’s needed. Your tasks can range from serving meals to sorting donated food, clothing or household goods, packing grocery boxes and helping organizations to clean and beautify their spaces.

This is a perfect project for caring volunteers with a passion for helping disadvantaged people and communities. You know you will be making a tangible contribution to a worthy cause and having a direct impact to better the lives of people who can often feel marginalised by society, but are exceedingly grateful for the support they receive.

Construction and Renovation in

For those wanting a hands-on role helping to build and renovate homes for those in need, look no further! The Construction and Renovation project operates in communities that need revitalisation, helping to construct, repair and modernize shelters and other buildings to benefit the people who live there.

Volunteer construction work is much more involved than on some other projects, with full days of making rewarding improvements through building, renovating, painting, restoration, carpentry and landscaping on a range of different building sites. This can require daily commutes and some longer travel times, as your contribution will be targeted toward initiatives that have the greatest need at the time.

This project is ideal for volunteers who enjoy physical work and aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty. You don’t need prior construction or renovation experience to participate as you will be working alongside qualified local supervisors.

This project has an additional cost of US$65 (approximately AU$95) per week for the extra materials, logistics and supervision involved. This amount will be included in the program fee quoted to you when you apply. Volunteers on this project should bring work boots, sturdy clothing and work gloves, though these can be purchased in New Orleans if necessary.

Environmental Sustainability in

Environmental support initiatives are increasingly popular the world over and can make a genuine difference in helping green spaces to thrive. These causes help not only the local ecosystem where they operate, but they serve to beautify communities and enrich the lives of those who live there by providing pleasant natural areas.

The Environmental Sustainability project takes a multi-faceted approach to doing this by focusing on sustainability, recycling and environmental education initiatives.

Environmental volunteers can expect to work in community gardens, public parks, recycling warehouses or urban farms to assist sustainability initiatives. Your duties will vary depending on the organization you are placed with and their specific focus at the time, but you could be involved in a range of tasks including planting trees, removing invasive species, sorting and recycling housing materials, building urban trails and maintaining drainage areas.

If you like getting your hands dirty, working in nature and are passionate about environmental sustainability efforts, this is the project for you!

It’s important to note this project predominantly involves working outside and you should keep this in mind for the time of year you are choosing to volunteer. You should come prepared for the seasonal weather and be particularly aware that summer in New Orleans can be very hot.

Youth Support in

New Orleans is a city that’s known for its colorful character, and much of this is the result of artistic expression from those living in fringe communities. However, the people that can be so influential in shaping the city also need support, especially in the vulnerable teenage years.

Volunteer youth workers support disadvantaged children and teens through education, providing safe spaces for learning, development and expanding horizons. These programs are designed to help support young people and encourage them to develop positively, while teaching them valuable skills for adulthood.

You’ll be placed in a school, community center or church to help facilitate programs and assist them in preparing to host young people. Tasks can include providing supervision, tutoring and positive interactions for the youth at these centers. Not all volunteer tasks will involve working directly with young people, and you can also expect to help these organizations by beautifying spaces, re-organising classrooms, preparing materials, cleaning, painting and other important administrative support tasks.

The Youth Support project in New Orleans is well suited to volunteers who are passionate about helping young people to fulfil their potential, and willing to help lay the foundations in order for that to happen.