Welcome to the Coast

I've been on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi for just over three weeks now, working as a volunteer coordinator for a faith-based community justice ministry. It's not my first time down here, or my first time working on the Gulf Coast since Hurricane Katrina hit, but my term of service--9 months--will definitely be the longest, most intense, and, I hope, most rewarding experience yet. It's my aim while here to try to answer the call of the prophet Micah: "What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" while I serve those around me.
My role is to coordinate volunteers who come in from all over the country to spend a week rehabilitating the houses and the lives of those hit hard by Katrina. I do logistics, provide hospitality, and basically try to make their stay here meaningful and profitable both to them and to the under-resourced, underprivileged clients we serve (we typically work with community members whose income falls below 40-60% of the AMI [Area Median Income] or who are homeless). In theory, I facilitate direct service rather than hammering the nails myself; but it often happens that I'm in work clothes, loading tile or carrying sheet rock, or up on a roof getting my dose of nail-guns and shingles.
I also try to build relationships with our clients and participate in community events because I believe that solidarity, not charity, is the best way to work with others toward a more socially and economically just world.

I'm looking to make this blog a mix of sober, reflective posts concerning the lamentable state of recovery and the outrageously unjust circumstances that the storm revealed, and more entertaining, anecdotal stories about life as a white Illinois native transplanted to the Deep South. Questions, comments, and constructive criticism are welcome--enjoy!

-Leah