In choosing organizations to work with during our service trip, The Magnolia Project works to support ones that are run by New Orleans natives. We hope to support the ideas and projects of people from the area as well as all efforts towards the right to return of people who have yet to come back.

Common Ground Relief: Works towards meeting the immediate needs of local residents while also initiating long-term strategies to address root causes of instability in New Orleans. Short term projects are widely varied and include construction, weeding and habitat restoration. www.commongroundrelief.org

Green Light New Orleans: Works to reverse global warming by using volunteers to help low- and middle-income families switch from incandescent light bulbs to energy efficient compact fluorescent lights. www.greenlightneworleans.org

Just The Right Attitude: The New Orleans East Food Bank. Volunteers help assemble and distribute packaged food and hot meals to residents in need. www.jtra.org

NENA: The Lower 9th Ward Neighborhood Empowerment Network Association. Utilizes an innovative resident-based approach to the comprehensive rebuilding of the Lower Ninth Ward, providing services and implementing sustainable programs in community outreach, case management, design and construction administration, home and school rebuilding, and economic development. Volunteers do house cleaning, mold remediation, home rebuilding, advocacy work, and other services. www.9thwardnena.org

Parkway Partners: Works with volunteers to preserve, maintain and beautify green spaces, playgrounds, parks, community gardens, and the urban forest in New Orleans. www.parkwaypartnersnola.org

People’s Organizing Committee: Works to build and maintain a coordinated network of community based leaders organizations with the capacity and organizational infrastructure that can help to meet the needs of people most impacted by Katrina and facilitate an organizing process that will demand local, grassroots leadership in the relief, return and reconstruction process in New Orleans. Volunteers do reconstruction work as well as community organizing and canvassing. www.peoplesorganizing.org