Ya’know where I’d rather be….
October 27, 2009
So, I’m sitting here at the computer, staring out the window, and let me tell you, today is gross. It’s rainy, it’s nasty. Here….not in Guatemala. Today in Guatemala there are highs of 79 degrees… juuuust letting you know!
Seriously, I am far too excited for this trip, and you should be too!! So… go apply… NOW. I’ll bake you brownies.
–Sherri
Obama’s visiting New Orleans today!
October 15, 2009
Although Obama visited post-Katrina New Orleans five times before taking office, he hasn’t been back since then… Until today! He’ll be stopping by the Lower Ninth ward for a few hours to tour a school — the only school that has reopened in the neighborhood out of six, all of which were destroyed by Katrina. The White House has already spent over $1 billion on projects to help rebuild New Orleans, but hopefully the trip will help show Obama what else New Orleans needs and inspire him to take more actions in that direction.
For more info, check out http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8308427.stm and http://cbs11tv.com/national/obama.visits.orelans.2.1249723.html
Registerrrrrrr! 
Happy almost Friday,
Hannah
New Orleans: Why is it so important?
October 8, 2009
Hey everybody, it’s Hannah again. I hate to be a buzzkill, but check out this graph:
| Poverty | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | Percent of population in poverty | Percent of population living at less than 1/2 poverty line | Percent of population living at more than 2x poverty line | Percent of children in poverty | Percent of Adults 65+ in poverty | |
| United States | $41,994 | 12% | 6% | 70% | 17% | 10% |
| Louisiana | $32,566 | 20% | 9% | 60% | 27% | 17% |
| New Orleans | $27,133 | 28% | 15% | 50% | 41% | 19% |
| Lower Ninth Ward | $19,918 | 36% | 16% | 34% | 48% | 31% |
| Source: U.S. Census | SF3 P53 | SF3 P87 | SF3 P88 | SF3 P88 | SF3 P87 | SF3 P87 |
Yeah… That’s not good. I know that we’ll only be going to New Orleans for a week, but during that week, we’ll be doing good works in a place that could really, really use them. And it’s not as if New Orleans is being overwhelmed with help, either:
| Public Assistance | ||
|---|---|---|
| Percent of households receiving cash assist. | Percent of households in poverty that do not receive cash assist. | |
| United States | 3% | 87% |
| New Orleans | 3% | 90% |
| Louisiana | 5% | 87% |
| Lower Ninth Ward | 8% | 85% |
| Source: U.S. Census | SF3 HCT25 | SF3 HCT25 |
Having been on two Alternative Breaks already (Uruguay and South Dakota), I can confidently say that we are going to have an amazing time. We’ll walk away, though, with bittersweet feelings — psyched that we did what little we could do to make a difference, and excited to do something like it again, but melancholy about the overall situation… It’s hard, but it’s more than worth it. I can’t wait to get my hands dirty and make a difference with you all!
If you’re interested in learning more about the financial situation in New Orleans, I got the charts above from this website:
http://www.dollarsandsense.org/archives/2006/0306wagneredwards.html
Guatemalaaaaaa!!!
October 6, 2009
That’s right, it’s official, ASB Central America is heading to San Antonio, Guatemala! Woot woot!
I’m Sherri, and Natan and I will be leading this amazing trip along side the lovely Marissa Neuman, so get excited! Guided by two AJWS leaders, our group will work with the NGO Opción to help construct a classroom. We’ll have plenty of opportunities to play with little Guatemalan children and really get to know the locals.
This trip is going to be awesome (duh, Natan and I are leading it, we’re kind of a big deal) and I can’t wait to get the ball rolling, so go to www.marylandhillel.org/alternativebreaks to apply!
If you have any questions feel free to email us at alternativebreaks@marylandhillel.org but seriously I can already answer your questions riiiiight here, riiiiiiight now: Yes. Twelve. West. Sunday. We’ll fundraise. Blue. Tinfoil. Long walks on the beach.
Break a sweat and give back in New Orleans!
October 1, 2009
Hey, it’s Hannah! I’ll be leading the New Orleans trip with Stephanie. So I know you’re probably wondering… What exactly are we going to be doing there?
Well, first of all, they might have us helping to rebuild homes ruined by Katrina, through mold remediation, painting, and “intense physical labor”. That last part was a direct quote from our friends in NOLA — maybe we should start hitting the gym together once we’ve got the group figured out… Hmm…
Unlike past trips, however, we won’t just be working on houses — we could be doing wetland restoration, trail work, and tree planting (see picture)!
I’m psyched. Don’t forget to register on Monday!
I, personally, will be channeling the Lorax as we plant trees and help restore the NOLA wetlands. UNLESS!
