Tag Archives: Where to volunteer in New Orleans

How Miss Gloria’s Garden is making a difference in New Orleans

Meet the woman behind Miss Gloria’s Garden–a community garden in New Orleans that helps locals eat healthy by giving them free organic food.

By Heather Newgen

It’s 9:00 am and as volunteers arrive, Gloria Ward, 72, has already watered the entire community garden and is moving onto the next project. She stops to excitedly greet everyone and tell them about Miss Gloria’s Garden, a space where locals can stop by and take produce at no cost.

“The community by and I let them take vegetables for free. You can come and get anything you want here,” Ward explains to the new group of people volunteering for the day.

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“It’s important for me to do this so I can help other people,” she said.

Ward is known in New Orleans for her kindness and generosity, something her daughter Zada Summers says locals are taken back by.

“People are always surprised like why would you do this? It’s like why wouldn’t you do this? If you grow food that you like, you can’t eat it all. So why not share it with other people?”

Ward self-funds Miss Gloria’s Garden and relies on volunteers for help.

“I need volunteers to come help me with the weeding and maintaining. I just like volunteers cause I meet a lot of young people and see where they’re going in their lives,” she revealed.

Ward works 10-12 hours a day in the garden and loves to see the community enjoying Miss Gloria’s Garden. She created what she calls “a safe space” for people to come and be themselves.

In addition to growing healthy organic food, the garden can be used for cooking and sewing classes, as well as arts and crafts for kids, yoga and meditation.

Miss Gloria’s Garden also has movie nights, concerts and other great events.
For more information visit www.missgloriasgarden.com.

Volunteering in New Orleans with Camp Restore

Looking for a responsible volunteering project in New Orleans? Camp Restore offers several programs for skilled and unskilled workers.

By Heather Newgen

In 2005 Hurricane Katrina swept through the Gulf Coast as a Category 3 storm, causing severe destruction along its path from New Orleans to Mississippi to Alabama, however, NOLA was hit the hardest after the levees failed due to poor engineering. As a result, over 1800 people died and the majority of the city flooded, causing an estimated $108 billion dollars worth of damage.

In the months following the catastrophe, support poured in worldwide and Camp Restore was an organization that was created in response to Hurricane Katrina. Years later is still working to rebuild the city with the help of volunteers.

“What began as hurricane relief has grown into efforts to address large-scale systemic challenges, such as restoring the wetlands that protect against hurricanes, supporting local schools and youth programs and helping new, innovative community nonprofits get off the ground. We achieve this through partnerships with more than 150 fellow nonprofits and churches,” their website states.

Camp Restore partners with over 80 local nonprofits, so there are plenty of volunteer projects that skilled and unskilled volunteers can do like working in a community garden, recycling Mardi Grad beads, rebuilding a home (if you have experience) and so many other projects.

Although Hurricane Katrina swept through the Gulf Coast in 15 years ago, pockets of New Orleans still needs assistance. Volunteers are always welcomed. There are several ways to give back and  Camp Restore is an organization that takes groups of volunteers or individuals who are traveling alone and want to make a small difference.

Affordable volunteer housing is offered and and available to those who prefer to stay on site at Camp Restore.

Check out the video to see what it’s like to volunteer in New Orleans and how you can give back.

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