Field Report: Youth Rebuilding New Orleans

Happy Mardi Gras, everyone!

YRNO was recently awarded a total of $29,000 from Companies with a Mission and the Brees Dream Foundation in the New Orleans Super Service Challenge! We are so grateful to our volunteer groups who made this possible. Jefferson County Open School’s video won $10,000. Ad Majorem’s video won $5,000. Additionally, Central Congregational Church, Darton State, Ernst & Young,Sci Academy, Tulane’s Center for Public Service,  Tulane’s Butler Residence, and Wheeling Jesuit all won $2,000 each. We are elated about our success in the competition and can’t thank our supporters enough!

This month, Youth Rebuilding New Orleans is competing in another voting completion: Gulf Coast Bank’s Community Rewards Program. The program is awarding a total of $50,000 to 10 New Orleans charities. You can help YRNO win a portion of that money by simply voting for us every day. We are currently in the top 15 out of 300+ participants and need your help to break into the top 10. Each email address can vote once per day until March 4th! We are currently ranked in the top 15 of over 350 teams and need your help to keep it up!

How to Vote:
1) Click here! 
2) Type in your email and click “Email my Access Code”
3) Check your email. A 5 digit access code should arrive shortly.
4) Go back here and select “Youth Rebuilding New Orleans” all the way at the bottom.
5) Fill in your info and click vote! Repeat daily!

 

All prize money goes directly towards empowering youth, giving back to teachers and stabilizing communities. After 6 months of working at YRNO, I can genuinely say: I couldn’t ask to work for a more deserving non-profit!

 

-Lauren Lim, Tulane AmeriCorps VISTA, Youth Rebuilding New Orleans

Field Report: ARISE Academy

I’ve been a VISTA for 6 months!

Ok folks, it has been six months and I can truly say that I am happy to have made it this far. There were times that I came very, very VERY close to chucking the deuces, but I thought to myself: “Self, you’re a HODGE and The HODGE’s don’t quit.” So after my 10 seconds of decisions to throw in the towel passed, I went back to truly enjoying every moment of being an EDVISTA at one of the coolest schools in New Orleans: ARISE Academy.

Over these past few months I have learned a few things about myself and VISTA life in general.  Check out my list below. As you read through the list, allow it to marinate in your spirit. J Enjoy!

What I Have Learned Over the Last Six Months!

•    Smile through it all
  •          Even if you are having one of the worst days in your life, smile. With the population we are encountering, it is important to remember that             that smile you give could be that glimmer of hope that they need to get through their day.

•     Free food is not always bad
  •          Someone once told me that free food is normally terrible, however I truly beg to differ. I have had some of the best food in New Orleans and   it has been free! Check out my friends at Handsome Willy’s http://www.handsomewillys.com/hw/.

 

 

 

•     Stay focused on the mission of your organization
  •     Though sometimes you may run into a dead-end with projects and leaders, always remember the mission and the sheer reason you are there.

 

 

 

 

•    Personal reflection time is essential
  •    Always take time for yourself. Even if you have to take a day off from work remember that your personal health and well-being comes first.

 

 

 

• This year is truly what you make it
• If you do not take advantage of the opportunities given, you have no right to complain.

 

 

 

• Networking is essential
  • While it is about who you know in this life, networking allows you to build lasting relationships with a variety of individuals.

   

•    Make friends outside of VISTA
  •    While your VISTA friends are nice to have, it is always good to diversify your  group of friends.

 

 

 

 

•         Mardi Gras is……. Everything
  •         This was of course my first Mardi Gras and I do believe there were times throughout that my emotions went from ecstatic to frustrated. At    any rate I would do it all over again, thank God it is only once a year!!

 

 

 

 

I hope you enjoyed my tadbits of life as a VISTA.

-Malliron Hodge, Tulane CPS AmeriCorps VISTA, ARISE Academy

Field Report: Social Media

Spring is finally here in New Orleans. This time of the year brings many temptations to the surface. Whether it be food, sun, or relaxation (yes, relaxation SOUNDS rather exotic when you’re an AmeriCorps VISTA). Currently I’m working on a plan to engage more students on campus in all matters related to social media and networking. My plans for late March and early April involved me conducting more “Life of a VISTA” videos using my handy-dandy flipcam. When I’m not VISTAing it up, I’m relaxing and learning more about the city. On Mardi Gras this year I caught not one, but TWO Zulu Golden Nuggets (a.k.a. Zulu Coconuts). Now, there’s no need to ask, but…

Yes, I’m more awesome than you.

Now, if you want to learn more about the awesomeness that is me then feel free to take a look at the photographs below. Feel free to comment or ask questions about any of the photographs below

Mardi Gras 2011 ended with me receiving TWO Zulu golden nuggets. Pretty lucky I guess

Community. A piece of art on a renovated building near Napoleon and Magazine

Get it? Muses!

This older lady in East Riverside knows how to decorate cacti.

union justice and confidence at the Lower Ninth Ward Neighborhood Center.

Tulane VISTAs at a fruit gleaning service project. High five to Megan Nuismer for organizing the project.

Xavier University students working hard at a preschool in Central City.

Enjoy these two songs that have been ringing in my ear for a while and sums up my feelings about New Orleans in the spring.

Louis Armstrong – La Vie en rose (English version)

Serge Gainsbourg – La Javanaise

- Y. Frank Southall, Tulane AmeriCorps VISTA. Please e-mail Frank at mediavista@tulane.edu for more information about the Social Media Initiative, FREE social media consultations, and community presentations.

Field Report: Social Media Liaison

Carnival is right around the corner here at Tulane. Within two weeks, New Orleans will be alive at all times of the day and night. This is beyond exciting to me as I watch with glee people flowing into the city. It makes for great social media fodder. However, to truly examine New Orleans is to acknowledge its strengths and weaknesses. Below is part of an attempt of mine to capture the city’s strengths and weaknesses. Look back for more photographs later on in the season.

Strangely, it reminds me of home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A simple declaration of hope, love, and humanity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A memorial dedicated to a young man who was murdered at this corner

Beautiful painting created by kids on MLK Day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A group of students I worked with from Tulane, Xavier, Dillard, and Loyola Universities posing with Mayor Mitch Landrieu.

The Bywater

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- Y. Frank Southall, Tulane AmeriCorps VISTA. Please e-mail Frank at mediavista@tulane.edu for more information about the Social Media Initiative, FREE social media consultations, and community presentations.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to everyone around the world. We hope you had a wonderful 2010. Hopefully 2011 will be better and bring more success and happiness to you, your loved ones, and friends. This period of the year is always awesome here in New Orleans in part because of the beginning of carnival (a.k.a. the Mardi Gras) season which begins this Thursday. The spontaneity and creativity that takes over New Orleans is nonetheless a major source of inspiration for Tulane VISTAs as they work on projects during this period  Here at VISTA Link, we have a lot of interesting projects that will be coming up in 2011. Check back for more photos, videos, artwork, poetry, and stories. Stick around for more in-depth interviews and interactive with Tulane AmeriCorps VISTAs, community partners, and alumni. Learn about the people building capacity at local organizations here in New Orleans. If it’s related to Tulane AmeriCorps VISTA then you’re going to hear it here first! Also, don’t forget to follow us on Twitter, You Tube, and Facebook. As always, we are open to suggestions and questions. Please comment on our blogs.

your’s in service,

peace,

The Tulane AmeriCorps VISTA blogging team

 

p.s. Geaux Saints!

Who-dat!

 

 

Field Report: City of New Orleans Office of the Mayor

Hi New Orleans, It’s hard to believe I’ve been with you now for seven months. It seems like only yesterday I packed up all of my belongings (well, everything that could fit in a compact car) and made a commitment to you. Being with you has been a real roller coaster of a relationship. We’ve definitely had our up’s and down’s. As with starting any new relationship, I must admit I go through stages (this may or may not resemble my recent dating patterns – but let’s hope the ending turns out differently this time around, yes?):   1. Getting over your ex. Oh, Atlanta (I even had a cute nickname for her – the ATL). We had some good times together. And we had been together for so long, I couldn’t really imagine leaving her. Sadly, I wasn’t getting fulfillment out of our relationship anymore. Was she delivering me winning sports teams? No. Future employment? Negative. A quick commute around town? Not so much.   No, this had definitely become a relationship in which only she were benefiting. Well, no more! It was time to cut the ties and move on. 2. Meeting someone new. Sorry, Atlanta, but this is awkward. I know it’s only been a couple of months, but New Orleans and I are sort of seeing each other now (full disclosure – we had a brief affair in 2008 – again, awkward).   New Orleans: you were so great. When we first started going together, I would get so many free things (Mardi Gras). I could tell you really cared. Of course, the cooking was fantastic, too (Crawfish season); whoever said the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach knew what he or she was talking about. It was the start of a beautiful relationship.   3. Getting too comfortable. New Orleans … you kind of started letting yourself go. You didn’t give me presents nearly as often (end of Carnival … boooooooo). And while you did get hotter, it wasn’t in a good way (hellllllllo, summer). I tried a couple of times to keep things interesting. I even introduced you to my family and friends to show you how much I cared. Alas, I was beginning to think it wasn’t enough. 4. Taking a break.   Look, I like you and all, but I wasn’t sure it was working out anymore. Maybe it was time we started seeing other people? I tried seeing if there was anything left with my ex (the ATL – nope). Shamefully, I must admit I really “put myself out there” and went on a date with Denver, Colorado. I’m not going to lie – we had a lot of fun together. We had some drinks (went on tours of the Avery Brewing Company and Miller-Coors facilities) She was even feeling adventurous and let me explore her mountains. I know this is painful, but the rumors are true, and you have to see for yourself:    5. Trying one last time to make things work. I’m sorry, New Orleans. I didn’t mean to leave you like that. Denver … just wasn’t you. She may have caused me to lose my breath a couple of times (thin air when you’re a mile above sea level!), but I missed you and your stupid problems. Who would have that I would have secretly begun to love you faults (humidity, potholes)? I guess you’re sneaky like that.   Listen. I’d like to try and have one more go at things. I might be in love with you. Take me back? I think I finally understand the meaning of this song: Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans? -Nick Solari, AmeriCorps VISTA To learn more about the Volunteers in Government of Responsibility (VIGOR) program at City Hall, visit their program page at: http://www.cityofno.com/pg-128-3.aspx.

Field Report: Hispanic Apostolate

May 5, 2010

It’s Cinco de Mayo in New Orleans! Like any other holiday, legit or made up for the sake of another party, there will probably be some sort of parade, block party, or general celebration in the streets. However, it is unclear how many actual Mexican-Americans will participate in these events. I suspect not too many. It will probably be a bunch of VISTAs, other young people and old people who are “living young” out drinking margaritas and eating enchiladas. One fellow vista member has already advertised that he will be in attendance at a Cinco de Mayo festival with Ecuadorian pants and a mustache… surely a site to be seen. Other than those folks, I wonder if and where Mexican-Americans will be celebrating this holiday.

Past latino festivals that I have attended in New Orleans have not had great turnout and I am not sure quite why this is. I have tabled at a few of these events to advertise for our ESL classes, and it has not been the best venue for getting in contact with immigrants in the New Orleans community.

I have noticed while testing some students, that when we get to questions about partying and festivals (such as what is your favorite holiday) many say that they do not celebrate much here in New Orleans. I asked several students about Mardi Gras, and many said that they would not attend any parades. A few said that they couldn’t get to the parades, or preferred not to deal with the crowds. One girl mentioned that she would like to go but that her husband would not let her. Just yesterday I spoke to a man who said he does not celebrate his birthday in the US because he doesn’t have anyone to celebrate with, because his family and friends are all back in Honduras. Others say they usually have to work during festivals. The obstacles that get in the way of many immigrants ability to party New Orleans style, shows a great difference in the lifestyles of natives versus immigrants in the United States. It is not necessarily the case that people do not want to celebrate or have a good time- as fun is pretty much universal- but that they may not have the time or the ability. They may be working, or trying to navigate the city and accomplish important everyday tasks that we take for granted. Some immigrants feel timid about going out because of their limited language ability, or even fear of police. Some stay at home because they have kids to take of, or are exhausted from a 10 hour day of work. There are many obstacles that prevent immigrants from taking part in New Orleans celebrations, and it is reflective of the many obstacles that they face in their everyday lives- riding the bus, going to the grocery store, visiting the doctors, etc. Not speaking the language fluently, knowing the way around, nor having the resources to complete these tasks can put a strong limit on your everyday life. In perspective, it’s no wonder partying isn’t a primary concern.

With the immigration bills that have passed in Arizona, and the ones that had been on the table in Louisiana, I worry that it will be difficult to make progressive changes that will better the lives of immigrants in New Orleans the greater United States. I just hope that agencies like the Hispanic Apostolate and Puentes help to send the message that we as a community support all those that live here. I also hope that those out celebrating Cinco de Mayo tonight don’t just think of the holiday as an excuse to enjoy margaritas and piñatas – but also consider what it means to be Mexican in America, or Honduran, or Chinese, Russian, Haitian, for that matter. After all, Cinco de Mayo came out of the era of the Civil Rights Movement (it is not the Mexican Day of Independence as it is misconceived) and its goal was originally to foster goodwill between nations and cultures. So this year, Cinco de Mayo should be a reminder, and a time for reflection in the United States. -Kate Harding, AmeriCorps VISTA

To learn more about Kate’s work with Hispanic Apostolate, visit their website at: http://haesl.blogspot.com.

 

Field Report: VISTA Leader

“Well, Mardis Gras officially ended at midnight, Tuesday. And, judging by the weight I put on during those eight eye-popping, mind-blowing days it’s not called Fat Tuesday for nothing. And, of course, the Super Bowl victory ramped up the whole celebratory mood to unprecedented heights (even by New Orleans’ standards).

In the midst of all the partying and Carnival craziness we welcomed two new volunteers…both named Nick so, of course, they became The Two Nicks. They were at Pre-Service Orientation in Albuquerque when the euphoric city had the Saints victory parade, but made it back in time for the frenzy of Mardi Gras. And after this whirlwind intro to New Orleans they begin their assignments today: one Nick is from Illinois and will be working for the Gulf Restoration Network and the other is from Georgia and will be with the VIGOR program at the City’s Office of the Mayor. Oh, and I forgot to mention that on top of everything else, New Orleans somehow managed to elect new city officials – including a new mayor – in the midst of all the hoopla. So, this should be an exciting time to work at City Hall. Four of our members will be ending their VISTA service in about eight weeks, but we were told by VISTA’s state office that we won’t be able to recruit for replacements. It’s, of course, always ideal when a departing member can pass the torch to an incoming volunteer, but such are the vagaries of national service. We’re hopeful that those four partner organizations won’t be going long without volunteer help. In the meantime, we all continue working towards a restored and revitalized New Orleans…the Saints and Carnival were two giant steps in that direction.” -Jim Trombella, VISTA Leader

Field Report: Alliance for Affordable Energy

Dear Reader,A great writer is the friend and the benefactor of his readers. - Macauley Another working day has ended, honest reader. As I told you before, I have succeeded in laying a patina, as it were over the turbulence and mania of our office. All non-essential activities in our office are slowly being curtailed. At the moment, I am busy beautifying the eye-sore of a welcome center. At first sight, the scene of which met my eyes was both compelling and repelling. The cold, dank welcome center was decorated with the blight of volunteer recognition, stale weekly messaging, and the obscure invitation of a hapless  (and senile) japanese office plant. Inviting to only the depressed and disqualified. There are three b’s which describe most aptly my actions as an office employee: banish, benefit, and beautify; thus the approach taken with my new volunteer welcome center. If only the Smithsonian Institution, that grab-bag of our nation’s refuse, could somehow vacuum-seal the Alliance for Affordable Energy’s office aesthetic and transport it to the capital of the United States of America; the model of nonprofit functionality. The Art Egg building for which it is housed is a large, barn-like structure that carries the ghosts of an old dairy warehouse. I’ll have you know, dear reader, the conversion of a dairy warehouse into art studios, although artistically surreal, does not bode well for the tenets in winter. I find myself wrapped in three layers of clothing, conserving my own kinetic energy in this leaky ice chest of a building; this reduces worker productivity as well. I do admire the tenacity of my office co-workers on occasion. However, our independent drive for conquest on our various topics of expertise leaves the outreach process ill-equipped at times. This would make for good water cooler conversation during morning breaks, except I find myself the only one drinking from the water cooler most days. Volunteer help is productive on occasion, except I fear they may be catching on to my schemes of coy manipulation. I only do this to hide the programatic inadequacies for which I refuse to admit. Nevertheless, my newest contribution to the volunteer program is define the programatic philosophy instead fabricating real work. This new invention matches volunteer skills and interest with institutional needs; this saves me humiliation, but contributes positively to restoring programatic face. Health note: No major issues; survived the Mardi Gras/Saints festivities. Social note: No major issues; recovering from the Mardi Gras/Saints festivities. Until next time, Matthew Sweeney, working boy at arms (Ode to Ignatius) To learn more about the Alliance for Affordable Energy, visit their website at: http://www.all4energy.org/

Field Report: City of New Orleans Office of the Mayor

My first two weeks living in New Orleans can be summed up by one simple phrase: “WHO DAT?!”You can’t escape “WHO DAT?!” Seem a little quiet on Bourbon Street? Might be time to yell “WHO DAT?!” What if you’re stopped at a red light on St. Charles Avenue? As good as time as any to roll down the window and holler a “WHO DAT?!” In the checkout line at the Rouses Supermarket with a King Cake in hand? Again, a friendly “WHO DAT?!” is applicable.It was impossible not to get caught up in Saints mania. After the victory was assured, my roommate Nick and I went down to the French Quarter to take everything in. I must confess that I didn’t feel the overwhelming joy like everyone else did (I am, after all, a recent transplant, and my football affiliations sadly still lie elsewhere), but I am so incredibly happy for everyone that night that was celebrating. The Saints mean something to the people of New Orleans, something I can’t put into words, and for one night, everyone forgot about their individual worries and troubles and simply came together. Above all, I think my sincerest and biggest hope is that after my time with AmeriCorps is through, I, too, will be able to feel a similar connection to the City. The following Tuesday, Nick and I left for our AmeriCorps Pre-Service Orientation (PSO) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The days were filled with training seminars, and the nighttime was ours to get to know other VISTAs who were beginning their years of service. I’ll be the first to admit I’m not keen on icebreakers or team building exercises (human knot, anyone?), but PSO was actually a lot of fun. Our facilitator did an excellent job of turning the material into activities that were both fun and informative. I am now sufficiently pumped for the year ahead, and I can’t wait to get started at Tulane and City Hall. Returning to New Orleans, everyone was still buzzing about the Saints. The good vibes of the SuperBowl win then carried into one of the best (and safest) Mardi Gras in years. Mardi Gras was a blast, too, and I enjoyed seeing some of the parades with a few of the new friends I have made here. And, yes, “WHO DAT?!” continues to be shouted even today, nearly two weeks after the big win. No one is quite sure when it will stop. One thing is clear: the people of New Orleans finally got a much-needed answer to their question. It is, resoundingly, “WE DAT!” – Nick Solari, AmeriCorps VISTA Member To learn more about the City of New Orleans Office of the Mayor Volunteers in Government Program (VIGOR), visit their website at: http://www.cityofno.com.