save americorps*nccc

i'm breaking out the hippie attire, folks, and hopping on a plane to new orleans this weekend. i'm bringing a backpack, a pair of jeans, a bandana (for christ's sake! a bandana!), steel-toed work books, and some respirator masks.

not my camera and not my hardened liver.

from the time i get off the plane and hop a cab to our volunteer headquarters, until the time i hop a cab from the headquarters to the airport, i'll be doing god-knows-what: some demolition work, some mold removal, some cooking for displaced community members, some community outreach work. or not. who knows? i'm showing up and doing whatever they want me to do. i've got a bunk with my name on it and i'm there until monday night.

i've been given this opportunity because i am an americorps alum (liberty hill, texas 1999-2000). bush has proposed cuts to americorps funding in his fiscal year 2007 budget -- including dismantling the americorps national civilian conservation program (nccc). alums are heading to the gulf coast beginning this weekend for a month of service. goals of our presence are as follows:

1. Showcase the necessity of AmeriCorps*NCCC and AmeriCorps to the media and to legislators.
2. Showcase the power of AmeriCorps Alums and the lifetime commitment they make as a lifetime return on investment in AmeriCorps.
3. Provide opportunity for AmeriCorps Alums to lend a hand in the Gulf and play an important role in the rebuilding of our country.
4. Provide support and fresh inspiration for the AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps*NCCC members who are serving in the Gulf.
5. Support the two Hands On Network Gulf sites in their efforts to rebuild Biloxi, MS and New Orleans, LA, and the St. Louis Safety Service Corps’ work in rebuilding Pass Christian, MS.

i'm looking forward to a good weekend.