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Presbytery Commitment to
Rebuilding Hope in New Orleans
Mission Trips Planned Through 2010

RHINO logo

Future Trips Scheduled

  • November 17–23, 2008 [ Registration Form ]
  • March 16–22, 2009
  • October 19–25, 2009
  • April 19–25, 2010
  • October 25–31, 2010

Interested?

You may make a “no-obligation reservation” for any of these trips anytime. Simply contact and you’ll be put on a list to receive registration information directly when it is published. At that time, you must send a deposit of about $75 in order to activate your reservation.

Approximate Cost: $625 (includes airfare, ground transportation, housing, and group meals)

Background

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church (SCAPC) and partners united human and monetary gifts to alleviate suffering in the Greater New Orleans community. Through the RHINO (Rebuilding Hope In New Orleans) program, SCAPC has coordinated and hosted outside work groups to assist families in the city.

Since November 2005, RHINO has gutted over 200 homes, clearing a path for families to rebuild and return to their homes. The Presbytery of Genesee Valley has sponsored several teams since March 2006. Visit our Photo Gallery and Travel Blog to learn about our previous journeys.

Current RHINO work is in partnership with the Presbytery of Southern Louisiana, and New Orleans Habitat for Humanity (NOAHH) to rebuild homes and hope in New Orleans.

Presbytery of Genesee Valley

Since March 2006, the Presbytery of Genesee Valley has sponsored two mission trips each year and has plans to continue this work through 2010.

Teams of about 15 people are comprised of volunteers from congregations all around the Presbytery. Some volunteers are men and some women; some have worked with RHINO before and some have not; some have a high level of skill, and some have little. All volunteers must be 18 years or older.

Volunteers pay their own way or receive assistance from their churches. In order to make it possible for a variety of churches to participate, church group size is limited to four persons each. Others who are interested from the same church may be put on a waiting list.

Alternatively…

Your church

Churches are also encouraged to consider to sponsoring their own group. For assistance on how to organize a trip contact and also see information about Mission Trip Partnerships.

As they transition into the rebuilding phase of the recovery efforts, the Presbytery of South Louisiana’s Project Homecoming is in immediate need of licensed electricians, plumbers and HVAC tradespersons who would be willing to volunteer in New Orleans to prepare houses with these trades.

Everyone is needed in the rebuilding efforts, but any preparation groups can do to build their capacity in construction skills before coming to New Orleans will be helpful.

Those interested in volunteering, in organizing a mission trip, or in need of more information should visit the Project Homecoming web site, or contact Deborah Corrao at 504-942-0444.