Written by: Cherie Miller
Where do you plan on spending your Spring Break? Do you have a city that you want to see more than another? Maybe one that has always had an allure more than most? For me, that city is New Orleans, Louisiana. It goes by many names; NOLA, The Big Easy, The Birthplace of Jazz, and The City that Care Forgot. Thanks to Bear Breaks, I have the opportunity to visit the Crescent City. Why New Orleans though, what’s the draw?
Well, what’s not to love?! For me it’s the (sometimes sordid) history; it’s the music, and the food. There is one thing that brings all of these together, and that’s the people. I couldn’t be more excited for this trip and what it means. It means that I get to meet the people of NOLA and I hope to have even a fraction of the impact on their lives as I know they will have on mine. I’m looking forward to leaving a piece of myself in New Orleans and taking a piece of the Big Easy back with me in the form of memories and a renewed passion for serving others right here in Missouri.
My co-trip leader, Lauren, and I will be joined by a group of other MSU students to work on Community Revitalization (sometimes called Neighborhood Revitalization) in New Orleans in March for an immersive break. Community Revitalization encompasses so many different things. We might be sprucing up residences for people that can’t do it on their own, removing invasive plant species from the area, or working in a community garden. Habitat for Humanity describes it as “a collaborative approach to improve the quality of life for all residents in a neighborhood. Focus areas include: health, education, amenities, economic opportunities, transportation, beautification, community, housing, health, and safety”.
I leave you with this question; what does community revitalization mean to you?