Post-Disaster Recovery & Community Engagement Volunteer Opportunities
New Orleans has developed extensive networks for disaster recovery and community resilience in response to multiple storms, floods, and other challenges. Whether you're interested in helping during active disaster response or strengthening community preparedness, there are many ways to get involved. Here's a comprehensive guide to volunteer opportunities:
Disaster Preparedness Organizations
NOLA Ready
- Volunteer Activities: Community outreach, disaster preparedness education, evacuation assistance
- Time Commitment: Training sessions (8 hours initial) plus monthly activities
- Skills Needed: No special skills required; training provided
- How to Join: Register through their website for Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training
- Contact: ready.nola.gov/volunteer or call (504) 658-8700
Red Cross Southeast Louisiana Chapter
- Volunteer Activities: Shelter operations, disaster assessment, emergency response
- Time Commitment: Training sessions plus on-call availability during emergencies
- Skills Needed: Various roles available; medical professionals especially needed
- How to Join: Apply through their website
- Contact: redcross.org/local/louisiana/volunteer.html
Evacuteer
- Volunteer Activities: Assist with city-assisted evacuation during emergencies
- Time Commitment: Annual training (3 hours) plus on-call status during hurricane season
- Skills Needed: No special skills required; must be able to assist during evacuations
- How to Join: Sign up for training sessions on their website
- Contact: evacuteer.org
Community Resilience Building
Resilience Force
- Volunteer Activities: Community organizing, policy advocacy, disaster workforce development
- Time Commitment: Regular monthly meetings plus campaign activities
- Skills Needed: Interest in policy and community organizing
- How to Join: Attend an information session
- Contact: resilienceforce.org/volunteer
Institute for Disaster Mitigation
- Volunteer Activities: Home assessments, flood mitigation education, community outreach
- Time Commitment: Flexible scheduling for trained volunteers
- Skills Needed: Training provided; background in construction or engineering helpful
- How to Join: Complete their volunteer training program
- Contact: idmnola.org/volunteer-opportunities
Neighborhood-Based Recovery Groups
Lower 9th Ward CERT Team
- Volunteer Activities: Neighborhood emergency preparedness, elderly check-ins, supply distribution
- Time Commitment: Monthly meetings plus increased activity during emergencies
- Skills Needed: CERT training provided; knowledge of neighborhood helpful
- How to Join: Contact Lower 9th Ward Center for Sustainable Engagement and Development
- Contact: sustainthenine.org
Broadmoor Improvement Association Disaster Response Team
- Volunteer Activities: Neighborhood preparedness, vulnerable resident registry, disaster communications
- Time Commitment: Quarterly trainings and on-call during emergencies
- Skills Needed: Various roles available; training provided
- How to Join: Contact BIA directly
- Contact: broadmoorimprovement.com
Vietnamese Community Disaster Response Network
- Volunteer Activities: Multilingual emergency communications, elder assistance, community outreach
- Time Commitment: Regular involvement with increased activity during emergencies
- Skills Needed: Vietnamese language skills helpful but not required for all roles
- How to Join: Contact MQVN Community Development Corporation
- Contact: mqvncdc.org
How to Get Started
Assess your availability: Some disaster response roles require on-call availability during emergencies, while others focus on long-term recovery or preparedness.
Consider your skills: Organizations need diverse talents from construction to counseling to language translation.
Start with training: Many organizations offer disaster response training that provides valuable skills while introducing you to volunteer opportunities.
Connect locally: Neighborhood-based groups often provide the most direct way to help vulnerable community members.
Prepare yourself first: Ensure your own household has an emergency plan and supplies before volunteering to help others.
By volunteering with these organizations, you'll help New Orleans build stronger disaster resilience while gaining valuable skills and community connections. Your involvement contributes to a more equitable recovery process that reaches all community members, especially those most vulnerable during disasters.