Operation Helping Hands
A volunteer program of
Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans
to assist the community in reoccupying their homes
Project Summary
In the devastating wake of Hurricane Katrina, Catholic Charities will provide a desperately needed service to the people of Greater New Orleans – by amassing thousands of volunteers willing to lend a hand. The outcome of this effort will add to the future health of the city and confirm the commitment of the Catholic Church to serving those in need.
Operation Helping Hands mobilizes a large volunteer corps supported by the leadership of Catholic Charities and church parishes within the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
The volunteer corps is organized in groups ranging from 10 to 15 people. Groups come with their own designated leaders to volunteer for long weekends or a week in the Greater New Orleans area. Volunteers will come from outside the Archdiocese and will involve members of the local and surrounding communities.
To support this effort, Catholic Charities’ staff team is working in close cooperation with church parish teams who will also recruit volunteers, provide accommodations, and hospitality, and supervise the work.
Project Goals: Operation Helping Hands
- Demonstrate the love of Christ through helping hands
- Mobilize and manage a volunteer corps to help the neediest home owners within the Archdiocese of New Orleans to clean up their neighborhoods and restore their homes in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina
Types of Work Undertaken
- Homeowners will be asked to remove any items that can be salvaged
- Volunteers will then remove appliances, furniture and other household goods
- If necessary, volunteers will remove damaged walls, ceiling, floors and wiring
- Once everything is removed, the home will be sprayed with a sanitizing solution to kill bacteria
General Guidelines/Safety Considerations
- Volunteers must be at least 18 years old. College groups are asked that two campus ministers/staff/faculty accompany every 10 students. With limited staff, this expands the leadership capacity and increases the opportunity for learning as well as serving.
- Volunteers should have had a tetanus shot in the past 10 years. No hepatitis vaccinations are necessary at this time.
- Volunteers should work in closed-toed shoes, preferably something sturdier than athletic footwear. Work or hiking boots are recommended to avoid possible injuries from debris such as broken glass, exposed nails, etc.
- Volunteers are asked to wear work clothes appropriate to the often filthy working conditions. Even in warm weather, long sleeves and pants will ensure fewer cuts, scrapes and mosquito bites.
- Volunteers are encouraged to use mosquito repellant, especially in areas of the city where there has been standing water.
- Volunteers must be prepared to bring sleeping bags, towels and/or bed linens, depending upon the types of accommodations available.
Some Frequently Asked Questions
What about meals and accommodations?
Catholic Charities will provide simple meals and accommodations. There will be one hot meal per day with a cold breakfast and box or “sack” lunch. Given the damage to housing and archdiocesan facilities in the area and the number of volunteers at any given time, accommodations might range from sleeping bags in church halls/parish centers, dormitory-type residence halls, or even a large military-style tent operation.
Is there a fee per participant?
As not to exclude anyone, donations are suggested but not required for each participant. Catholic Charities can ensure you that volunteers’ contributions will offset the costs of the program for meals, accommodations and supplies. Please make contributions checks payable to Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans and clearly indicate in the check memo “Operation Helping Hands.”
Do volunteers need their own transportation?
It is helpful if volunteers have their own transportation, but Catholic Charities will provide transportation for those who do not travel to the area in their own vehicles.
How long should volunteers plan to stay?
Volunteers are asked to commit to at least a long weekend, three days, or a five- to seven-day week. Some groups may even stay longer.
What if my group is not Catholic?
Catholic Charities serves, employs and seeks to involve people of all faiths. Although the parish churches will play a major role in the organization of the work sites, services will be available to everyone, not just to congregation members. All are welcome to join in this effort.
How do I organize a group?
Currently Catholic Charities is only accepting volunteers in groups of 10 to 15. We do not have the staff capacity to match up individuals, couples and families with other groups. Please designate a leader, who will be the contact person. The group leader will take responsibility for communicating with the Catholic Charities Operation Helping Hands team as well as sharing all pertinent information with the other volunteer participants.
Should we bring our own supplies?
Groups traveling by van may consider collecting and bringing down general clean-up supplies such as rakes, brooms, masks, gloves, etc. from their home congregation, group or community. Volunteers should supply their own work gloves, plastic gloves, work goggles and face mask, preferably the kind with a respirator. Groups are also asked to consider bringing their own first aid kit provided by their local hospital. As it gets closer to the time for your trip, we will be able to tell you what specific types of items will be needed. In-kind donations of supplies for other volunteers can also help support the program.
What types of forms, paperwork are required?
All members of the volunteer group must read the Volunteers Code of Conduct, complete and sign the application, and archdiocesan liability release (please duplex) which follow in this packet. These will be collected when you arrive. Group leaders are asked to keep a list of emergency contacts for everyone in the group with them at all times in the event of an injury or accident.
What if I cannot come right now, but want to help later? How long will Operation Helping Hands continue?
Hurricane Katrina was the worst disaster in the nation’s history. Never before has a natural event caused so much destruction in a densely populated area. Rebuilding the New Orleans metropolitan area will take decades, and there will always be a role for volunteers to assist – even if, over time, it is in a different capacity.
If I have questions about bringing a group, who should I call?
Please contact:
Susan Lackey
Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans
504-310-6960
Email: sslackey@archdiocese-no.org
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