Students and staff members are invited to participate in our “Plunge” service trip opportunity. Participants spend Spring Break completing a week of service with people in need. This seven-day community service project is an outward sign of The College of New Rochelle's continuing commitment to its heritage and mission, "respond to the needs of society." Each year, the Service Plunge is available for interested students in all four schools.

This year’s Plunge opportunity will take place during March Spring Break with the St. Bernard Project in New Orleans.

The St. Bernard project is a nonprofit, grassroots organization that began rebuilding homes in August 2006 in St. Bernard Parish of New Orleans. The mission of the St. Bernard Project is to remove barriers for families who wish to rebuild their lives after Hurricane Katrina.

St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, was inundated with rainwater and floodwaters, averaging 6 to 20 feet in depth, for nearly two weeks. Families in St. Bernard Parish lost everything: houses were flooded and collapsed; possessions were destroyed; tools and methods for livelihoods were ruined. Over 200 residents of the Parish lost their lives as a result of the hurricanes. After the storms, 100% percent of the homes were officially "uninhabitable." Prior to Katrina and Rita, St. Bernard was a vibrant community populated by nearly 65,000 residents. As of June 2008, more than 20,000 residents have returned, despite the fact that over 60% of residences and businesses still remain uninhabitable.

By using volunteer labor and donations for building supplies, the St. Bernard Project can rebuild homes in 8-12 weeks. $12,000 worth of building supplies completely rebuilds a house that has been gutted to the studs. As of May 2008, over 6,000 volunteers have helped St. Bernard Project rebuild more than 130 homes.

The rebuilding work includes: exterior and roofing work, framing repair, rough and finish electric, plumbing, insulation and drywall, interior texturing and painting, flooring and cabinets, interior doors, baseboards and trim work. To address other client needs, the Project provide a tool co-op, a small community center, and activity groups for the residents. CNR volunteers shouldn’t worry about having construction skills: the St. Bernard Project trains all volunteers on site.

Students, faculty and/or staff members who are interested in joining us for the Plunge to New Orleans should review the Requirements for participation, and if interested, Apply Online.