How to Help Rebuild New Orleans

Since Hurrican Katrina, New Orleans has endured a depleted population, ongoing bureaucratic obstacles and diminished resources. Rebuilding this city will take time. You can help.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Overcome the skeptics. The biggest obstacle to rebuilding the city is that not everyone agrees whether restoring a large metropolis under sea level is a good idea. Speak out in defense of the rebuilding and sign any petitions seeking government aid and funds.
2. Donate. You can collect funds by organizing local lotteries, conducting door-to-door collections or arranging events through your local churches, schools and societies. Contact one of the many non-profit organizations (see Resources below) to find out where to send your funds.
3. Be a tourist. Bad press, criminal activity and a lack of revived businesses have all contributed to declining tourist rates since Katrina. By helping the tourist industry and encouraging others to visit the city, you can help to restore the number one industry in the city.
4. If you live near New Orleans or have time available to volunteer, contact a local non-profit organization to find out about rebuilding projects. The Neighborhood Recovery Association (see Resources below) has a number of different options for volunteers. You can do anything from working on construction crews to tutoring local youths.