MATC Matters

The MATC Volunteer Center sponsored four Alternative Spring Breaks this year. Read below to hear reactions from a New Orleans trip participant.

What was your initial reaction of the community upon arrival? What did you see? How did you feel?
Once we came into town, the devastation really hit home. It’s one thing to see a demolished house in a picture, and an entirely other thing to physically see a whole neighborhood devastated. It really hit home what these people went through and it is so frustrating to hear and see that so little has been done to help these people out.

How do you feel about the tasks we have or will be working on?
I’ve been working at Musician’s Village constructing storage sheds. It is so energizing to see the 500 people show up in the morning ready to tackle whatever needs to be done. It may seem like building storage sheds isn’t really important, but it really helps these people out by giving them a nice home to be proud of.

How do you feel our work and actions will affect or are affecting the people in this community?
I think what we’re doing for these people is great. A lot of families are still living in the FEMA trailers and to be given a brand new house ‑ I just cannot imagine how grateful they are.

What is one challenge you are experiencing as a result of your participation in this program? The challenge in participating in this program isn’t physical, but emotional. Just seeing the widespread devastation first hand really hits home what these people are going through.

What are three things you have learned during your experience thus far?
Yesterday, we took a tour of the damage that Katrina inflicted to the city. The tour guide was very good about telling us the truth of what went on, having gone through it herself. I’ve learned down here just how bad the hurricane was. I’ve also learned that there are many people who care very deeply about the city and want to see people get back on their feet as quickly as possible.

How do feel this experience will impact your service in the community when you return to Wisconsin? What type of community service projects will you seek out in Wisconsin?
So far I’ve had a blast working with the new and different people. When I return to Wisconsin, I’ll be more willing to seek out volunteer work individually instead of trying to get a group together to volunteer for projects. However, I hope that my experience will encourage people to give their time to their own communities as well.

How do you think your work during this week will impact the community?
Hopefully, my work will help inspire families to continue rebuilding New Orleans by coming back to the community and resuming their lives.

To hear more reactions for the students and pictures from the trips see our volunteer scrapbook.

Also, check out a mural that the students who went on the New Orleans Alternative Spring Break created in the Wolfpack Den!

To donate to the Alternative Spring Break program, please make checks payable to the MATC Foundation and drop them off in Student Life!