CUNYAC Goodwill Tour -- New Orleans, LA -- Day 2

Good Morning NOLA

Day two started early for the New Yorkers as breakfast was served at 6:30 am.  While somewhat tired from the day before, spirits were high, and the bunch were excited to get to work.  They would not have to wait long as the work day began at 8 am, just after everyone packed a lunch.

“After a long day yesterday, we got right to work today,” Jonathan Castillo of Queensborough Community College said.  “We were out at 8 am in the hot sun.  I am usually sleeping at that time but it felt good to get working and make a contribution.”


Taking Care of Home

First task of the day would be to do some gardening and housework at the Annunciation Mission, the home site of the Tour.  A majority of the CUNY party applied some sunscreen, put on their work gloves and headed out to the garden.  They got right to work weeding, raking, shoveling and pushing the wheel barrel as they totally reworked the earth.  The indoor group worked hard as well, cleaning the bathrooms, kitchen and hallway. 

“This reminds me of being in Bosnia,” said Hunter Alisa Jaganjac.  “My family has a house there and we help out with the gardening while I am visiting.”

The group also helped the mission staff prepare some late morning treats, New Orleans-style beignets, which everyone proceeded to eagerly gobble up.

Helping Out in the Neighborhood

Next on the day's agenda was a trip to the Green Charter School in the Central City section of New Orleans, only blocks away from the mission.  Kelly Regan, the director of outreach for the institution’s Edible School Yard, gave a brief overview of their history.  The school was nearly closed due to poor performance but was reinvigorated with an influx of community help and a creative program.

The CUNY volunteers handled a variety of chores in the garden.  Many weeded, while some worked on disinfecting the greenhouse and others helped move equipment.  While there, one of the teachers recognized the CUNYAC logo and came out to talk to the group.  Her name was Johari Harris, a CCNY graduate, and former soccer player, who relocated to New Orleans two years ago and has been teaching at Green.  Harris informed the group that she was just awarded a Fulbright Scholarship before bringing her class of 4th graders over.  The children interacted with the CUNY students and staff talking about sports and their experience at the school.

“Today at the school we worked really hard but it is well worth it because we know it was for a great cause,” said Alyssa Lubrino a sophomore from Baruch. 

“It was interesting to see the children build connections with the cafeteria and the food grown in the garden, as well as their ability to be immersed in the entire process,” said sophomore Lorena Russi of Queens College.“

The party returned to the mission for dinner which was served at 5pm.  Jambalaya was on the menu and then a group took off to the Ogden Museum of Art while others stayed back and relaxed.

-- cunyathletics.com --