By Jon Skvarka, Program Manager

This spring infused a new enthusiasm and excitement throughout New Orleans. A Super Bowl win, a jam-packed Mardi Gras and a change in city government have established a hopeful anticipation for the city’s future. Building on the recently energized momentum of the city, Rebuilding Together New Orleans is preparing for a busy summer.

As the weather warmed up, numerous corporations and other organizations partnered with RTNO to incorporate community service projects during their stay in the city. In late February, the National Roofing Contractors Association volunteered with Rebuilding Together before their annual International Roofing Expo. Over eighty volunteers, both skilled and unskilled, worked in the Hollygrove neighborhood to repair five storm-damaged homes. In May, CB Richard Ellis kicked off their national partnership with Rebuilding Together National with a build day in the Broadmoor and Mid-City neighborhoods. Twelve homeowners were served thanks to 190 CB Richard Ellis volunteers. In addition, groups from Clif Bar, Neighborworks America, Deutsche Bank and the National Community Reinvestment Conference, gave back to our homeowners by priming, painting, weatherizing and building wheelchair ramps.

March and April also brought over 800 undergraduate students, which demonstrates the commitment many young people have made to New Orleans. Through their volunteer experience, they learned about the rebuilding process and the struggles homeowners have faced. Since 2006, we have been fully booked every March and we are confident that next year will be no different.

Thanks to the hard work of our staff, AmeriCorps members and volunteers, RTNO had a productive spring while preparing for a busy summer. August will be the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and Rebuilding Together will be marking the event with a large scale volunteer build in the Gentilly neighborhood. The Fifty for Five Event will aid fifty homeowners with their home repairs through the efforts of over one thousand volunteers. The RTNO Intake Department has been canvassing the neighborhood and working with homeowners to ensure their eligibility for the event. The Fifty for Five event will highlight the work that has been done over the past five years while showing the world the continued need in New Orleans.

RTNO is confident that 2010 will be a milestone year for us and our homeowners. With an exciting spring already completed and a busy summer ahead, RTNO will hlep more homeowners to live in safer and more energy-efficient homes.

You can be a part of this breakthrough year for RTNO by volunteering during your summer vacation in the Big Easy or making a donation to our homeowner of the month. Keep checking our website for more information and have a great summer!