Wellesley College Interns' summer experience at New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity

For a group of six Wellesley College students, the college mission to "provide an excellent liberal arts education for women who will make a difference in the world" has taken on new meaning. This summer, six Wellesley College students traveled to New Orleans, Louisiana to intern with the New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity with the common goal of supporting Habitat's ongoing mission of rebuilding the homes and communities affected by Hurricane Katrina and Rita . Their internship experience was at a very historic moment in the history of the city, that is still grappling with massive damage after last years devastating Hurricanes

The all-women intern team, included: Christina Alvarez ’08 of Edison, NJ, Mimi An ’08 of Arcadia, CA, Sejal Babaria ’09 of Moorestown, NJ, Danielle Briggs ’09 of Irvine, CA, Ana Phakhin ’06, of Springdale, AR, Kristin Smith ’07, of Lincoln City, OR.

Christina Alvarez interned with the St. Bernard Recovery Project , a massive ongoing recovery project in St Bernard Parish.; Mimi An, worked in development and fundraising; Sejal Babaria interned in construction administration; Danielle Briggs worked in the real estate division; Ana Phakhin interned with Family Services and Kristin Smith interned in the volunteer office as a volunteer coordinator.

For this group of six, the internship has served as a learning experience they will never forget. They were a pioneer team of interns for New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity , and hopefully their experience will help inform future internship placements with the organization.

Here are the reflections on the summer experience from the interns

Mimi An, “As a student interested in working for non-profits, I never realized the amount of work and collaboration needed in order to ensure that the organization is run as efficiently as possible.”

Christina Alvarez “The opportunity to hear the stories of those affected by Hurricane Katrina has been an eye-opening experience. At a time when it seems that the media has forgotten about New Orleans, I am grateful to have the chance bring awareness to this area. There is still so much work to be done down here and I feel that many Americans are not aware of it.”

Danielle Briggs- “I came to New Orleans wanting to help make a change, but New Orleans changed me. I am so thankful for the people I have met and the opportunities I have had while working with this organization. Being exposed to people with good hearts and intentions, who sacrifice in order to help others, has really given me a different perspective. We may not have made a huge difference during our 10 weeks here, but New Orleans will always be a part of us, and I want to thank the people of Habitat, and the people of Louisiana for that gift.”

Kristin Smith “In the year following Hurricane Katrina, it is amazing to see how resilient and adaptive the people of New Orleans and the organization of NOAHH really are. The stories of people in and around New Orleans are always bittersweet because of the trials they have been through, yet they still manage to continue the rebuilding of the city and going on with their lives that have been permanently and severely altered. In the year preceding hurricane Katrina, New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity built about 6 homes, after hurricane Katrina around 40 homes have been completed, with hundreds more to come. The people and organizations that are still here, remain here because they love this city and are dedicated to the people and unique culture here and continue to go on despite the red-tape and lack of support from virtually all levels of government. As a political science major, it has been eye-opening for me to see first-hand in the midst of hurricane Katrina the efficacy and progress of non-governmental organizations and individuals, and stunned by the failures and challenges that different government agencies have had.”

Sejal Babaria "Almost every day I see destruction becoming an increasingly large aspect of many lives around the world, and after some time, it is difficult to process such sadness. Yet New Orleans Habitat for Humanity has restored a bit of faith and hope that is slowly slipping away. Everyday Musician’s Village in the upper 9th ward is inundated with hundreds of volunteers from all over the country . It is an absolutely amazing sight to see people from everywhere of all different ages and backgrounds come together for one common purpose and work side-by-side with one another. Along with the compassionate volunteers that work on-site, the staff and partner families are inspiring to be with. The humor and love that is brought to the office has reminded me that we must be hopeful and work together to create positive change in today’s society".

Ana Phakhin “As an intern in Family Services, I had the opportunity to interact with many of the applicants and homeowners in the program. The experience has allowed me a better understanding of the city and its people. It never fails to amaze me the sheer determination and courage that has been exhibited here, from families who have sacrificed everything to come back home to the equally heroic volunteers who have donated time, money, and sweat. Although the work overseen by NOAHH is still only a small part of what occurs daily in the city’s reconstruction, it demonstrates that the will of individuals can change the face of politics and history. It has been a privilege to come here and be a part of this historic moment in New Orleans and American culture"

We at New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity express our gratitude to Melissa Gette Hawkins, Assistant Director/Director of Service and Stipend Programs at Wellesley College Center for Work and Service ;Leah Lyman Wellesley College ACIP-NOLA Program Coordinator; and the interns for their invaluable contribution to ongoing rebuilding efforts of our organization, and wish the interns all the best in life