Volunteer

 

Volunteers from Global Hope have been a constant source of support for Common Ground Relief and, in particular, the rebuild of the Lower Ward. Most recently, Global Hope has collaborated with Common Ground Relief to ensure the rebuilding of Reverend Adam's Church.

Common Ground Relief is incredibly grateful to Global Hope not just for their relentless support, but also for producing this short video, which charts two and half years of the volunteer recovery and rebuild effort in New Orleans.

Common Ground would further like to express gratitude for the sacrifices that these courageous and dedicated volunteers continue to make by engaging in these solidarity efforts. The global community benefits by people coming together, and working together to promote hope and civic responsibility.

 

 

FEMA trailers were produced very quickly by several companies. In the rush to finish the trailers, some companies used unsafe materials. Paint, adhesives, insulation, and particleboard used to fabricate the trailers may contain formaldehyde. As the trailer ages, formaldehyde is released into the air in a process called “outgassing.”

Just 0.1 parts per million of formaldehyde can cause burning, watery eyes, nausea, and breathing problems for some people. The Sierra Club tested 44 FEMA trailers and found levels three times that high in some trailers. Elderly people and children may be more likely to get sick.

Increasing ventilation in your FEMA trailer can help. Keep the door and windows open as much as you can. Outgassing increases in higher temperatures. When you can't have your windows open, certain plants can help to filter the air in the trailer.

Plants that Remove Formaldehyde from the Air

Common Ground Relief stands in solidarity with historically neglected commmunities, and stands firmly against racism in all forms. We must stand together with people in Jena, Louisiana. Please check out their website at freethejena6.org and get involved.

Together, we can unravel institutional racism that plagues Louisiana and our world.

Download the Volunteer Application for Individuals:

Application-pdfApplication-doc

Download the Volunteer Application for Groups:

Application-pdfApplication-doc

Thank you for your interest in Common Ground Relief. With few houses remaining to muck and gut, Common Ground has shifted its focus to rebuilding a more socially equitable and environmentally sustainable New Orleans. We want to strengthen our programs that confront socio-economic inequality and environmental degradation. In addition, we will continue to develop programs that address unemployment, drug addiction, hunger, food insecurity, homelessness, and police corruption.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

The Common Ground Wetlands Restoration program was created to proactively address the dangers faced by New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. We work to bring immediate attention to the ecological and political causes and effects of the 2005 hurricane devastation. The goal is to shed light on where wetlands restoration needs to happen, determine who should be responsible for doing it, and then to do it ourselves where ever possible. We are also dedicated to educating as many folks as possible, both in Louisiana and beyond, on the critical role that wetlands play in our protection from storm surge and how to best keep them healthy. Our goal is to work with consideration and in solidarity with the people of the Gulf Coast.

Show your solidarity with the people of the Gulf Coast by volunteering with Common Ground project this summer. You can registerhere!