About Us
“I have been told by many (New Orleans) locals that they. . .feel their plight is being forgotten on a national level, but you (Volunteers) are living proof that this is not the case. So be proud of yourself, and let them know you are here.”
Habitat for Humanity
Our journey began in the College and Career Center at Webster Schroeder High School. In early February Ty, Jim, Courtney, John and Ryan were sitting down to some lunch and somehow the topics of traveling and volunteering came up. After about 10 minutes of discussion and Googling it was settled that we would go down to New Orleans during our April break to help out however we could. By the end of the day, Ty had created and registered a group to work for Habitat and we all went home and talked to friends and family.
From the original 5 from Schroeder, Courtney recruited her sister Nikki, a future med student, Na’Lisa, also a Brockport Counselor Student and Chris, who at the time was waiting for a new job to start in June. John had a friend Dan, a 2nd grade teacher for the Rochester City School District, who was on board as soon as he heard about it.
In 2 short months we had planned all the details of the trip, organized and threw a very successful fundraiser, and gained the support of some phenomenal sponsors to help cover the expenses. Somehow, we made it to April and it was time to leave!
So 9 essential strangers crammed in an RV and made the 22 hour trip there and back to New Orleans. We lived, ate, slept and worked together 24 hours a day for 10 days. This could have gone terribly wrong, but through our experiences together each of us came home with 8 new best friends, a second city to call home, many other wonderful friends we met along our journey and memories that will last a lifetime…well at least until our next trip!
Who’s Went in 2008:
Jim Barilla
Courtney Cannan
Nikki Cannan
Dan Hurley
Ty Lambert
Na’Lisa Rowe
John Specksgoor
Ryan Teeter
Chris Vavrina
Who’s going in 2009
Jim Barilla
Courtney Cannan
Dan Hurley
Ty Lambert
Na’Lisa Rowe
John Specksgoor
Ryan Teeter
New Comers:
Jeff Eckler – Jeff teaches global studies and law and Justice at Webster Schroeder and is looking forward to the expeireince.
Sheena Eckler – Sheena teaches special education at School 58 in the Rochester City School District and is also looking foward to putting down the textbook and picking up a hammer.
