Community Corner

Diary of Local Teens in New Orleans: Day 5

A group of Larchmont and Mamaroneck teens are rebuilding homes and working with local children.

NEW ORLEANS—Welcome to The NOLA Tree's  New Orleans blog. The NOLA Tree is a Larchmont based non-profit organization that operates teen volunteer community development programs in both New Orleans and New York.

For the next week, we're here in the Lower Ninth Ward with a group of teenagers, many from the Larchmont-Mamaroneck area. We're going to be sharing our experience on a daily basis right here. Read us each day this week.

Day 5

Find out what's happening in Larchmont-Mamaroneckwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Hey all,

So in yesterday's email we mentioned how we were about to head out for a group walk.  Well, it never happened.  While we were waiting for everyone to gather, a game of touch football game broke out, and we played until it was pitch dark instead.

Find out what's happening in Larchmont-Mamaroneckwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Today, it was back to work at St. Margaret's Nursing Home in the Lower Ninth.  It's always different returning to a work site because the expectations are so different.  It's amazing how much you learn about what to do and how things work at a site in just a day, and toward that end, The NOLA Tree volunteers seized the initiative.
Boy did we work hard! 

This morning, we were hauling trash, recycling 2x4s, pulling nails from wood, and organizing the dumpster.  Ana was Queen of the Dumpster.  She set up an assembly line with Adrian, Liza, Sofia, and Julian.  Inside, Jorge and Caroline were masters at nail removal.

We broke for lunch at noon, but then it was back to work.  After a discussion about site safety from our amazing Project Manager, Tommy, we used power tools!  Everyone who had permission to use them was able to use the nail gun and circular saw.  This was needed because we needed to board up windows.  Najzali and Wesley rocked, and by the end of the afternoon, Alejandro and Max were giving tutorials to everyone.

Right now, we're back at Camp Hope a little on the early side.  We're going to have dinner and then it's off to get some Sno-Balls, another New Orleans tradition.  Then we'll be back here for what's sure to be another inspiring  de-brief.

Tomorrow, we're at a new job site.  Every day, something new.  Every day, something amazing.

Peace,
Phil Bildner and Ana Galan
Co-Executive Directors
The NOLA Tree


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