Get Involved with Rebuilding Together New Orleans (RTNO) Completed Homes

Volunteer

We are excited and proud to host thousands of volunteers each year from around the country who come to help rebuild New Orleans. Rebuilding Together New Orleans volunteers work under the supervision of skilled RTNO construction staff and AmeriCorps members rebuilding the homes of our low-income veteran, elderly, and disabled clientele. Since 2005, over 25,000 volunteers have provided over 800,000 volunteer hours to help us rebuild 400 homes. In RTNO‘s 30 year history, volunteers have helped rebuild over 1,650 homes and have provided more than $100 million in total construction investment for the city of New Orleans.

Our success is largely attributed to our wonderful volunteers and their dedication to helping New Orleanians. We thank all New Orleans’ volunteers, past, present and future, for their efforts—we couldn’t rebuild without YOU!

If you are interested in volunteering with RTNO, please read through the following information and check out the Volunteer Opportunities page for registration information.

Volunteer Information

All volunteers must be 15 or older. Work projects are Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. All volunteers will be asked to sign waivers of liability (those under 18 will require a parent or guardian signature), but will also be given a safety overview and general orientation onsite.

Jobs performed on the house will vary according to the work scope and may consist of skilled or unskilled tasks, such as painting, carpentry, landscaping, etc. Usually, no more than 15-25 people will be placed at each site. Volunteers may be spread out among two or more sites, depending on the work scope.

For all projects, Rebuilding Together New Orleans provides:

Site selection
Background information on homeowner and neighborhood
Trained House Captains onsite
Water
First aid kits
Sunblock
Bug repellent
Hand sanitizer
Portable toilets

Your group will be responsible for the following:

Transportation to and from the worksite
Lodging for the volunteers
Lunch for the volunteers

Visiting Volunteer Groups

For groups coming from outside the Greater New Orleans Area, Rebuilding Together New Orleans charges a Volunteer Administration Fee in order to sustain the longevity of the program and serve more homeowners. This fee funds our daily projects and supports the costs of:

Building supplies
Safety equipment
Insurance
Transportation
Fuel
Staff
Other administrative costs

University/Church/Synagogue/Family/Other Volunteer groups: $20/day/person*

To schedule a special build for your company as a sponsorship, service day or team building experience, please contact us at info@rtno.org for more information.

*If your group is interested in volunteering but unsure if you can raise the daily volunteer fee, please still inquire about a volunteer experience.

Steps to Volunteer

Visit our Volunteer Opportunities page for instructions on submitting a volunteer request based on your needs.
After securing dates and number of volunteers, you will receive a confirmation e-mail, waiver forms and an invoice.
If you are booking a group, each member will need to register on the Volunteer Center.
Payment, if applicable, will be due no later than three weeks prior to your first volunteer work day.

Advocacy

How to Become an Advocate for NOLA

Educate yourself about RTNO, New Orleans, and Gulf Coast Recovery
Spread awareness of RTNO‘s work and the rebuilding and preservation effort in New Orleans
Support Gulf Coast Recovery and community revitalization legislation
Encourage others to advocate for RTNO and New Orleans

Can’t Make it to New Orleans? You Don’t Have to Volunteer with RTNO to be an Advocate!

Volunteer with your local Rebuilding Together affiliate
Sell Mardi Gras beads at a sporting event and donate the proceeds to RTNO
Hold an authentic New Orleans themed luncheon
Organize a letter writing campaign

Get Involved – Advocacy Activity Ideas for Your Campus, Congregation, or Community

Send a letter to your representatives urging them to support New Orleans’ recovery
Host an event to share your volunteer experience with friends
Write a letter to the editor of your local paper supporting community revitalization
Use social networking sites to upload pictures, write blogs or post articles about RTNO and New Orleans
Wear RTNO apparel to start up conversation and build name recognition

Quick Advocacy Facts

RTNO is a continuing volunteer effort to improve the quality of life of low income homeowners, particularly those who are elderly, disabled, or single head of households with minor children, through home repair and revitalization of New Orleans’ neighborhoods.
80% of New Orleans flooded from over 50 levee failures and breaches caused by Hurricane Katrina
The South Louisiana wetlands, the natural hurricane buffer that protects the shoreline, are being eroded at a rate equivalent to a football field every 38 minutes.
Approximately 1/3 of elderly homeowners reported contractor fraud when trying to rebuild their homes after Hurricane Katrina
Almost 80% of New Orleans residents were born in Louisiana, the highest nativity rate of any major US city
More than 35,000 buildings in New Orleans are on the National Register of Historic Places