St Bernard Parish

St. Bernard parish remains one of the most devastated communities in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. St. Bernard.  Located just southeast of New Orleans (below the Lower Ninth), St. Bernard suffered significant structural damage to 100% of its residential and commercial units.

New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity has a large presence in St Bernard Parish.  Between 200 and 900 volunteers a week stay at Camp Hope  our volunteer camp.   Camp Hope volunteers have the opportunity to meet with area residents who donate their time and knowledge to share local history and explain what the recovery process has entailed.  Many volunteers have a special place in their hearts for St Bernard, and have returned two and three times(or more!) to Camp Hope.  By shopping in St Bernard stores, frequenting local restaurants, and even just being available to listen to the stories of the residents, the spiritual and economic impact of the volunteers has made a major difference in many peoples' lives.

Habitat volunteers, through the Parish Recovery Effort, gutted 2000+ homes in St Bernard.  This was grueling work and, for many locals, just the kick-start they needed to face the daunting task of rebuilding.  In January of 2007, Habitat rapped up the gutting project to focus on construction of new homes.  Today, our volunteers work in St Bernard on new construction with "Parish Construction" and work on civic and recovery projects with "Community Projects."  Habitat also supports our other great non-profit organizations; St Bernard Project, Rebuilding Together, Hope World Wide, by opening our volunteer camp to any and all volunteers.  

Learn more about St Bernard Parish

Times Picayune animation detailing the flooding of New Orleans and surrounding area in 2005

"Dreams" - Montage of video clips taken by firefighters in St Bernard during flooding and subsequent mass evacuation

"Help & Hope"  - Short film documenting the house gutting project and the old Camp Hope.  

Looking for volunteer work in St Bernard Parish?

Current Habitat Projects in St. Bernard Parish:

Parish New Construction
In March of 2007, we teamed up with Camp Coastal to build new homes in St. Bernard Parish through the Parish Build.  This project works with families who lost a home due to the flooding to build new houses on their existing lots.

To volunteer to work with Habitat on this project in St. Bernard sign up on the Construction Calendar.

Community Projects
'Community Projects' allows community organizations and other non-profits in St. Bernard parish access to New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity's large volunteer pool.  Habitat volunteers who sign up with Community Projects will find themselves working on any of a variety of projects depending on the current needs of our partners.  Past examples include;  rebuilding gutted homes, sorting donations at the food bank, reading to local students, wetland conservation, clean-up projects, etc.

To volunteer to work with Habitat on this project in St. Bernard Parish select "Community Projects" on the Construction Calendar.

Partner Organizations in St Bernard

St Bernard Project
The St. Bernard Project is a United Way Partner Agency working to refurbish houses damaged in the storm.  Skilled volunteers with drywall, plumbing or electrical experience are in great need to supervise crews.  Unskilled volunteers are also needed!  

To volunteer with the St. Bernard Project please contact their Volunteer Coordinator or (504) 277-6831.  For more information please visit their website, www.stbernardproject.org .

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