Pre-Trip Meeting #1 Recap!

Hello everyone,

Sorry this is a bit overdue, I've been swamped with exams and work. Thank you to everyone who made it out last Sunday morning and for everyone being so flexible with the location/ times- you all are the best! I know this is a lengthy email so bear with me. 

Here is what we went over in our pre-trip meeting last weekend: 

IceBreaker

Each participant gets a Starburst, and depending on the color they get, they had to tell either an embarrassing moment, favorite holiday, favorite summer memory, or best halloween costume ever. 

Discussion about the podcast, This American Life 

-  Some were very shocked that the National Guard was shooting at people in the neighborhoods

- Reflected on the idea that people were stealing items to help out others in need; media portrayed them as looters 

Link to podcast:  http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/296/after-the-flood 

Root Causes of Poverty & Racism

Root causes (roots of a tree): 

- Lack of education, confusion, upbringing, prejudice, generalization/ stereotypes, government policy, politics, gentrification, gaps in social classes, money 

Possible solutions (branches of a tree):

- Community outreach, programs to promote meeting/ mingling of different classes, immersion program to force people to interact, more jobs created, money 

Thoughts: America now is more of a "tossed salad" rather than a melting pot. 

Differences in Terms

We discussed the differences between the terms fixing, helping, and serving 

Fixing: Implies that something is "broken" to start with, makes it sound like they need us to fix their problems, sounds like we expect something in return- as if we're doing a service for them that requires some sort of payment, change the nature of whatever was originally there 

Helping: Having a new mindset going into a situation, not expecting anything in return 

Serving: Not about us, but about them, looking at their needs, not expecting anything in return 

Dates to Remember: 

- Initial $75 deposit fee should already be in your donation page! 

- Waivers and Health forms need to be in ASAP! Please turn them into the LCSL office in STAMP (there will be a box you can put them in)

Directions to LCSCL office: Basement floor where the food court is. If you're looking directly AT Capital One Bank, make a right turn and it's the office at the end of that hallway with the glass doors. 

- Keep updating the blog if you haven't done so already! The invitations to edit were all sent out- Check your SPAM box if you didn't get one. 

- Keep adding yourself to the FB group if you're not in it- If we haven't added you it's because we can't find you! Look up "AWB New Orleans '13"

Monday, November 12: Scholarship applications need to be in by 5pm! Here is the link again: http://thestamp.umd.edu/student_involvement/lcsl/involvement/alternative_breaks/participant_information 

Look under "Scholarships" under the tables - There is a download link 

Tuesday, November 13: Alternative Break Letter-A-Thon from 4-8pm in the LCSL office in STAMP! All envelopes, stamps, and templates are provided. Just bring yourselves and a list of addresses you wish to mail the letters to! This is a GREAT way to fundraise for your trip. Past participants who have done this have gotten their entire trip covered through donations! Come and go as you please! (For directions to office, see above) 

Saturday, December 1: ALL TRIP MONEY IS DUE! 

I know this is a short timeline until our actual trip and there seems to be a lot, but get pumped guys! It's going to be an amazing trip and Tom and I are super excited for everything leading up to it as well.

Thank you all for reading and see you guys soon! Have an awesome weekend (: 

Jen&Tom

Excited!

Hi everyone! Sorry I haven't met any of you yet, I took the place of someone who dropped out. I am so excited for this trip because I have never been to New Orleans, or anywhere south really (except Disney!) and I have heard awesome things about the city.  I know a few people who went on youth group service trips there and had a great experience. I am excited to meet the people there and help out, as well as meet all of you! I wasn't sure if I was going to commit to this trip because I wasn't sure if I'd feel sad about not spending the extra ten days with my family and friends at home, but then I realized I'd regret it so much more if I passed this up! I am also not too excited for the 18 hour car ride both ways! The trip will be worth it though. See you guys in a few hours for our meeting! -Sarah Ventura

Hurricane Sandy Hits!

Tomorrow's first pre-trip meeting is postponed due to Hurricane Sandy! Hope everyone stays safe and dry through this "Frankenstorm"!

P.S- We're working with the Lower 9th Ward with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina while we're having a natural disaster hit our own communities as we speak. Something to think about. Bring your thoughts to our first meeting! 

Peace, love and AB,

Jen&Tom

NOLA LEGGO

Hi!!

I am really looking forward to what the trip entails, not only with just community service but bonding with all of you guys. I personally got the feel that we have similar interests, particularly in learning more about the issue with poverty, which would make the community service projects even more enjoyable! Cyndi, I totally know what you mean. I am a terrible packer.. please don't make fun of my tremendous suitcase. I have never been in the South, other than Florida when I was like 11 haha, so I am excited to see the New Orleans atmosphere.

#TeamAWBNewOrleans

Hey guys,

I'm really excited to go on my first AWB trip (honestly Maryland is starting to get on my nerves a little bit). Everyone that I met already seems real cool and I'm sure the rest of the group will be too. I think I'm most looking forward to making a difference in someone's life and learning not to take for granted all of the basic things that I have. I also hope to make a lot of new friends on this trip and share all these memories and insiders that nobody else will understand. However, I'm pretty nervous about deciding what to pack!! Typical girl problems ha ha...I love the Louisiana atmosphere though and how the people who live there represent. But anyways, I think that's it. Can't wait. Sorry for the rambling. Who dat? ")

Hello NOLA breakers!

I am super excited to be going on  my first Alternative Breaks trip, and I think that this one is going to be fantastic! I know that some of you weren't at the first meeting, but I look forward to getting to know everyone in the coming months and to road trip with all of you in January! It is exciting to finally get a chance to see a new part of the US and how it has been recovering in the last few years.

Lea

Pre-pretrip meeting post

Hi! It feels strange to be the first participant to post on the blog- anyways, I feel happy to participate in another AB trip, especially one where I can learn about issues that I don't feel like I know much about. For the most part, I just expect to get the opportunity to learn more about disaster relief, poverty, and racism and how those issues affect New Orleans differently from other areas of the world. I really look forward to experiencing what it's like to be in New Orleans!

-Anna

Welcome to AB!!

Hi lovely people!!

Tom and I are super excited for our PARTICIPANT KICKOFF in T- 30(ish) min! We have been waiting so long to meet our participants and to finally get this trip going! :)