As Holy Trinity enters its second year of service to St. Rose in Bay St. Louis we continue to welcome skilled volunteers who are able to travel to Mississippi to aid in Katrina recovery.  Below are the dates of upcoming trips to St. Rose, as well as the dates of our orientation sessions.  Although each trip lasts for several days, volunteers do not have to commit to the entire time.

Volunteers are also be needed for Monday-Friday assignments in the local Boys and Girls Club throughout the school year and in June and July.

Please note that you are required to attend an orientation before volunteering.  All sessions are from 9:30am – 12:00pm in the Neale Room in the Parish Center unless otherwise noted.

Not sure if this is right for you?  Attend an orientation session – it will not obligate you to travel.

To participate please email Margie Legowski or Leslie Conwell.

Most of the children in Bay St. Louis and Waveland, Mississippi, are still living with their families in FEMA trailers.  Stifling heat, cramped living quarters, and lost learning time have created a perfect storm of opportunity and the community has risen to the challenge yet again.  Bay-Waveland Elementary Schools and the Boys and Girls Club are offering youth between the ages of 5 and 18 a safe, enriching and fun summer experience in a local (air-conditioned) school from 7am to 6pm Monday through Friday between May 29 and July 20, 2007.  Staff has been hired and volunteers are desperately needed.

The parishioners of St. Rose de Lima are very concerned that we will forget them.  So many are still without their homes – living in trailers.  It's been 20 months since Katrina.  Most of the scenes of disaster are gone from our viewing.  They still need help.  We want our parish to mee more of these good people who are vistims of Katrina.  We are now pulling together our summer vacations for friends from St. Rose de Lima.

Some families are almost to the point where they can think about appliances for their rebuilt homes. The total need at the church is $100,000. They have received a grant for $25,000. Donations for a specific appliance – washer, refrigerator, etc. or for any amount may be made. Make checks payable to Holy Trinity and be sure to note "Appliances" on the check.

Background:  The eye of Hurricane Katrina passed directly over Hancock County, Mississippi, damaging 17,000 of the 20,000 homes in the county.   Immediately following the storm, members of the St. Rose de Lima parish formed a relief effort and a task force to address the needs of the surrounding community.   In November 2006, St. Rose Outreach and Recovery formed to continue St. Rose’s relief effort.

Currently, St. Rose Outreach and Recovery is in the midst of an exciting transition.   It has procured a lease on a beautiful volunteer center in downtown Bay St. Louis, which will act as a hub of volunteer activity in Hancock County.  Many partners including: the Salvation Army, Hands On Gulf Coast, the West Seneca Youth Bureau, Catholic Charities USA, the National Association of Service and Conservation Corps will house their Hancock County efforts at this newly renovated volunteer center.

St. Rose Outreach and Recovery hosts an average of 30 volunteers per week to rebuild homes.   Volunteers (and AmeriCorps members) are housed at the SOAR volunteer center, a unique and welcoming community.  SOAR is committed to giving volunteers the chance to participate meaningfully in the recovery of Hancock County; we are also committed to aiding the recovery process in a way that supports the visions, traditions, and efforts of local residents.

Over the next year, we intend to move 50 families back into their homes.   AmeriCorps members have a wonderful opportunity to work alongside both locals and volunteers from throughout the country to help restore the vibrant community of Bay St. Louis.  All positions will take part in the powerful process of helping put residents who have lost everything back into their homes.

Description:  Project Managers will work closely with the Case Management to see residents of Bay St. Louis through the rebuilding process.   The opportunity exists to become a certified electrician, plumber and/or contractor.

Positions Available:  3 full-time (1700 hr) AmeriCorps volunteer positions to begin work in Bay St. Louis by mid-month of February, 2007or earlier.  The ideal candidate has worked with volunteers before (eg. Habitat for Humanity), can lead teams of unskilled workers, and has significant (2 years) construction experience.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee the reconstruction of specific projects from the beginning to the end

OR

• Oversee one specific aspect of construction at different projects
• Work with the Construction Supervisor to scout projects and develop a plan for renovation of individual projects
• Coordinate the purchase of materials and create labor schedules
• Teach and supervise the work of up to 8 unskilled volunteers while maintaining a safe and pleasant work environment
• Liaison to partners that provide funding for individual projects
• Responsible for maintaining Lowe’s account for individual projects
• Help out with the responsibilities of living with other volunteers

Qualifications

• 2-5 years of construction experience
• Previous work supervising volunteers preferred
• Interest and/or experience in working in a post disaster area
• Valid drivers license

Benefits

• Living Stipend: ~ $1333 per month ($12,000 for full 1700 hr term)
• Education Benefit: $4725.00 upon completion of 1700 hr term
• Room and board provided at the volunteer center in Bay St. Louis
Federal student loans deferred and interest paid