Office, Office Assistant, Volunteer needed by Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans

Office Assistance: Gather information, call homeowners who may need assistance, and help with other administrative duties.

At this time, Catholic Charities is concentrating all volunteer efforts on Operation Helping Hands. More opportunities will be available in the coming months in our other programs. Please check back often for new volunteer opportunities.

Project Overview
Operation Helping Hands is a volunteer program of Catholic Charities, established to mobilize volunteers from across the country to help seniors, the disabled, and those with no flood insurance to gut homes devastated by Hurricane Katrina so that the rebuilding process can begin.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

What types of forms or paperwork are required?
All members of the volunteer group must read the Volunteers Code of Conduct, complete and sign the application, and archdiocesan liability release (please make copies for yourself) which are located in the packet. We will collect these when you arrive. Group leaders are asked to keep a list of emergency contacts for everyone in the group with them at all times in the event of an injury or accident.

Is there a fee per participant?
We don’t want to exclude anyone, so there is no fee. However, donations are suggested to offset the cost of your trip. Please make checks payable to Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans and clearly indicate in the check memo “Operation Helping Hands,” to ensure your donation goes directly to cover your meals, accommodations, and supplies.

What about meals and accommodations?
Catholic Charities will provide simple meals and accommodations. We will serve one hot meal per day with a cold breakfast and box or “sack” lunch. Due to the large number of volunteers and the extensive damage to housing and archdiocesan buildings, your accommodations might range from sleeping bags in church halls/parish centers, dormitory-type residence halls, or even a large military-style tent operation.

How long should volunteers plan to stay?
Volunteers are asked to commit to at least a long weekend, three days, or a five to seven day week. Some groups may even stay longer.

Do volunteers need their own transportation?
Catholic Charities is not offering transportation for volunteers at this time.

Should we bring our own supplies?
We encourage you to bring your own work gloves, plastic gloves, work goggles, and face masks, preferably the kind with a respirator. Although not required, groups traveling by van may even want to bring general clean-up supplies such as rakes, brooms, masks, gloves, etc. from your home congregation, group, or community. You may also consider bringing your own first aid kit provided by their local hospital. As it gets closer to the time for your trip, we will be able to tell you what specific types of items will be needed. Donations of supplies for other volunteers can also help support the program.

How do I organize a group?
Currently Catholic Charities is accepting both individual volunteers and volunteers in groups of 10 to 15. For groups, please designate a leader. Your group leader will take responsibility for communicating with the Catholic Charities Operation Helping Hands team and sharing information with the volunteers in your group. The group leader will also be responsible for distributing and collecting applications and waivers.

What if my group is not Catholic?
Catholic Charities staff, volunteers, and clients are people of all faiths. All are welcome to join in this effort.

What if I cannot come right now, but want to help later? How long will Operation Helping Hands continue?
Hurricane Katrina was the worst disaster in the nation’s history. Never before has a natural event caused so much destruction in a densely populated area. Rebuilding the New Orleans metropolitan area will take decades, and there will always be a role for volunteers to assist – even if, over time, it is in a different capacity.

If I have questions about bringing a group, who should I call?

Please contact:
Susan Lackey
Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans
504-310-6960
Email: sslackey@archdiocese-no.org

Who & What You Need to Know:

To volunteer, please contact:
Susan Lackey, Volunteer Services
Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans
504-310-6960
sslackey@archdiocese-no.org

OPERATION HELPING HANDS VOLUNTEER APPLICATION:

http://www.ccano.org/volunteer_application.PDF

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