I don’t have any construction experience, is that OK?
Yes, that’s fine. Many of the volunteers at Hands On Gulf Coast do not have
previous construction experience. Experienced volunteers and staff at Hands On
will teach you any skills you need as you go along. There are also volunteer
projects that do not require construction experience.
Where will we be housed?
The group will be staying at Hands On Gulf Coast, located on the grounds of
the Beauvoir United Methodist Church. Housing will be in a large indoors space
with bunk beds. There is very little privacy, and you will be sleeping in beds
adjacent to other team members and other volunteers. Mattresses are usually
available but not guaranteed, Hands On Gulf Coast recommends bringing an air
mattress if you have one. As bed sheets, covers and pillows are not provided,
please bring bedding or a sleeping bag. Please note that Tucker strongly
encourages you not to bring any expensive or irreplaceable items. There are
four showers and laundry facilities. Hands On Gulf Coast is also equipped with
a full kitchen.
Hands On’s Volunteer information packet states: “this is a unique communal
living situation with many people sharing limited space and facilities. It is
an exercise in flexibility and tolerance to live and work in this environment
[…] The bathrooms are cleaned and maintained by volunteers, so do your part to
keep our home nice and tidy. There is an indoor shower that is usually very
popular at the end of the day and therefore has a sign-up sheet and a four
minute limit. The outdoor showers were lovingly hand build by our resident
MacGyvers and generally have a shorter wait.”
How safe is the Gulf Coast?
There are inherent dangers traveling to disaster stricken areas, but Biloxi
is a pretty safe neighborhood.
What immunizations do I need?
Hands On Gulf Coast requires that all its volunteers have a current
vaccination for Tetanus – within five years is the specifc recommendation for
those who live and work on the Gulf Coast.
How far in advance do I need to apply/register?
Registration opens May 15th at noon and is on a first come first serve
basis. We are accepting up to 26 participants (16 alumni and 10
faculty/staff).
How much is the program fee? What is included in the program fee?
The program fee is as follows:
- A trip deposit based on the following sliding scale:
- Please make a $50 deposit, if your income is from $0-$20,000
- Please make a $75 deposit, if your income is from $25,000-$50,000
- Please make a $100 deposit, if your income is $50,000 and higher
- A $70 program fee that covers food, housing, local transportation, and
project materials for 8 days and 7 nights. The program fee does not
include airfare or transportation to the Gulf Coast. You are responsible for
your travel expenses to the Gulf Coast. Free-time expenses are not covered by
the program fee.
- Food: All meals are provided by Hands On Gulf Coast or the Salvation
army
- Housing: Housing is provided by Hands On Gulf Coast
- Local transportation: Transportation to and from the scheduled airport of
arrival and departure at designated times, Hands On Gulf Coast and work
sites.
- Project materials: A portion of your program fees may be used to purchase
necessary materials for various sites (eg: drywall, sheetrock, or paints), as
deemed necessary by the trip leaders
Is the fee tax-deductible?
No, the fee is not tax-deductible
Is there an orientation before I leave for the program?
Because trip participants are from all over the U.S., we do not have an
orientation program prior to departure. Once the volunteers arrive to the
program location, the trip leaders and Hands On will provide an orientation.
Participants should feel free to contact Frederica Ghesquiere, preferably via
email at frederica.ghesquiere@alum.dartmouth.org,
or via phone at 603-643-4155 ext. 107 with any questions or concerns regarding
the program.
What is the refund and cancellation policy?
You may cancel your place on the program at any time, however we ask that
you not apply unless you are confident that you will be able to participate.
The refund policy is as follows:
- if the participant can find someone to replace them on their trip, a refund
will be issued after the new participant has completed registration, submitted
all necessary forms and paid the program fee
- If the participant cannot find a replacement for them on the program,
Tucker will not be responsible to the participant for any refund.
- The participant is solely responsible for any airfare or other travel fees,
charges, expenses or penalties that might result from any withdrawal from the
program, whether the participant has found a replacement or not.
What are the dates of the trip?
The trip will take place from Saturday 16th June until Saturday
23rd June. Please plan on meeting the Tucker trip leaders at the
Louis Armstrong International Airport of New Orleans by 6pm June
16th. The group will arrive at Louis Armstrong International Airport
around 9:45am on June 23rd. Please plan your return flight
accordingly.
What should I pack?
- Long sleeved t-shirts
- Short sleeved t-shirts
- Work gear (comfortable pants that you don’t mind getting dirt/paint
on)
- Jeans
- shorts
- Work boots (steel toes are ideal)
- Hat or cap
- Work gloves
- Sunscreen
- Eye protection (this is also provided by Hands On)
- Sleeping bag/bedding
- Air mattress (these are provided for the most part)
- Shower towel
- Shower sandals
- Personal hygiene items
- Medications
- Your sense of humor!
Hands On Gulf Coast provides a storage space for personal items, but Hands
On and Tucker Foundation will not be held responsible for the loss, theft or
damage of personal property or equipment. The Tucker Foundation strongly
advises participants not to bring expensive or irreplaceable items.
Who makes my travel arrangements?
You are responsible for making your own travel arrangements to the Gulf
Coast. Please confirm your registration prior to making travel
arrangements.
- Arrival: Tucker trip leaders will be at the Louis Armstrong International
Airport of New Orleans from 3-6pm Saturday June 16th. Please plan on
meeting them by 6pm at the latest.
- Departure: The group will arrive at Louis Armstrong International Airport
around 9:45am on June 23rd. Please plan your return flight
accordingly.
Are there medical facilities?
If you are injured at any time during your stay, please let the Tucker trip
leaders know. Any cut/scrape should be disinfected and dressed appropriately
immediately. The trip leaders will have two First Aid kits. If the injury is
more serious, they will take you to the Emergency Room of the Biloxi Regional
Medical Center or call 911.
What is a sample itinerary?
- Day 1: June 16th: Orientation
- Arrive at the Louis Armstrong International Airport of New Orleans, and
meet with trip leaders at airport between 3-6pm.
- Drive to Hands On Gulf Coast and settle in.
- Day 2: June 17th: visit of the region
- Day 3: June 18th: work at site
- Day 4: June 19th: work at site
- Day 5: June 20th: work at site
- Day 6: June 21st: work at site
- Day 7: June 22nd: work at site
- Day 8: June 23rd: Departure
- We will arrive to the Louis Armstrong International Airport of New Orleans
around 9:45am. Please plan your return flight accordingly.
Please note that the Tucker Foundation reserves the right to make changes to
the itinerary.
What forms do I need to complete to register?
You will need to complete the online registration, health information form,
agreement and release. A non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your
place on the service trip. The remainder of the balance ($70) is due no later
than 3 weeks prior to your departure.
Why volunteer in the Gulf Coast and in Biloxi?
Hurricane Katrina, a category 5 hurricane which made landfall on August
29th 2005, was the costliest and one of the deadliest hurricanes in
the history of the USA. At least 1,836 people lost their lives in Hurricane
Katrina and the subsequent floods. The hurricane caused severe and catastrophic
damage along the Gulf coast, devastating cities such as Biloxi and Gulfport in
Mississippi. It destroyed 90% of the buildings along the coast of Biloxi and
neighboring Gulfport, stated Governor Barbour in an interview. The storm surge
also caused several breaches in levees around New Orleans, subsequently
flooding 80% of the city and many areas of neighboring parishes for weeks.
Over a year has passed since the hurricane, yet much remains to be done.
Countless families are still displaced or living in FEMA trailers waiting to
rebuild their homes. In Biloxi and Gulfport, employment dropped by 26,900 jobs
– a loss of more than 23% of jobs in the region. The result is an epidemic of
depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and suicide.
The Tucker Foundation developed its partnership with Hands On Gulf Coast in
the aftermath of the hurricane, sending students to volunteer in December 2005.
Since then, a student volunteer team has volunteered at Hands On every
break.
Who is leading the trip?
Rev. Dr. Stuart C. Lord, Dean of the Tucker Foundation and Acting Vice
President of Institutional Diversity and Frederica Ghesquiere ’04 will be
leading the trip.
What are application deadlines?
Since registration is on a first come first serve basis, there is no
application deadline. The earlier you register, the better your chances of
being able to participate on the trip. The entirety of the program fee is due
no later than 3 weeks prior to departure.
When can I apply?
Registration opens May 15th at noon.
Who is eligible to apply?
- Any Dartmouth faculty or staff
- Any Dartmouth alum and his/her family
- Note: Hands On Gulf Coast requires volunteers to be at least 18 years of
age. You must be at least 18 years old to participate on this trip.
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