CSUSM students to build houses in New Orleans
North County Times 3/18/07
"It's important to give students an alternative to going to another country and getting drunk," said Domanic Thomas, coordinator of campus recreation at the university, who helped organize the trip and will accompany the students. "They're giving back to the community and doing something that'll change someone's life instead."
During Habitat for Humanity's Collegiate Challenge week, Cal State San Marcos students will be joined by about 200 other volunteers from around the nation, many of whom are also college students, to build homes for displaced families, musicians and others devastated by the disaster, said Thomas.
Students were selected for the trip based on the applications, essays of intent and resumes they submitted to ASI, said Thomas. While ASI subsidized most of the cost of the trip, about $1,000 per student, students had to contribute a $250 portion, which they raised funds for through a letter-writing campaign and an opportunity drawing, he said.
Freshman Jordanne Moore, 18, said she applied for the trip because she saw it as an opportunity to give back in a big way.
"Because I'm so fortunate, I feel like it's my responsibility to use my tools to help others," said Moore. "Katrina only happened a year and a half ago, so there's still a lot of rebuilding left to do."
Since Moore said she has never witnessed a national disaster on the scale of Katrina first-hand, she's preparing for the worst, as far as the devastation goes.
"I feel sort of disconnected being so far away from the trauma," she said. "What we'll be taking back from the trip is some perspective."
Gaining a more global point of view is precisely the benefit of participating in alternative spring break, said Thomas. He said he's planned for his students to meet with students from Tulane University, which was nearly wiped out by the hurricane, to hear their personal stories and gain insight into the reality of the disaster.
"I think they'll be more appreciative of their lives when they return," he said. "And hopefully it plants the seed to continue to give back to their local community through service."
But the trip won't be all work and no play. Social events like dinner in the French Quarter, a ghost tour and a jazz cruise on a steam boat have been planned so students can explore the city, said Sara Gallegos, coordinator of student activities who co-organized the trip with Thomas. However, students had to sign an agreement not to use alcohol on the trip, even if they are age 21 or older, she said.
"It is still spring break, so there'll be a little bit of fun time," said Gallegos.
Junior Marika Patterson, 22, doesn't see the trip as "giving up" her spring break.
"For the students here, it's not much of a sacrifice," said Patterson, a reserve firefighter. "We get to go to a place we've never been before and get to help someone out. It's really just a no-brainer."
Patterson said she plans on spending as much of her personal money as possible while in New Orleans to help the area's economy bounce back.
"When I sit down and think about it, I can't imagine a disaster like this in my own city and having to relocate because it's so bad," she said. "My heart goes out to the people affected."