As September ends, I definitely feel myself settling into
New Orleans. My community work with NAMI New Orleans has certainly made me feel
like I am becoming a part of this community. As I previously mentioned, NAMI’s
big fundraiser for this fall, NAMIWalks New Orleans, is a second
line, which will be October 15th. This month we had a preliminary
meeting with NAMI leadership to discuss what opportunities there are for volunteers at the event. We
were provided maps of the event, descriptions of volunteer opportunities, and associated upcoming fundraisers in community restaurants and bars. It feels amazing to
connect with others in the community who share a similar interest in promoting
mental health awareness and decreasing stigma. I will be helping primarily with the set-up of the event bright and early but I anticipate helping with a variety of
other opportunities such as serving New Orleans’ famous red
beans and rice to event attendees or encouraging and providing water to walkers
during the event. I have helped publicize the event by putting up posters at my
apartment complex and at my favorite study spot in New Orleans, Zotz café. I am
contacting the appropriate Tulane university personnel to see if I can be
approved to put up posters in university buildings, such as Hutchinson Memorial
where we often have class. Also, I will be attending a few fundraising events
leading up to the event in the coming two weeks to continue helping NAMI New
Orleans hopefully reach their goal of raising $160,000, which will serve as funds
for many of their great support programs provided throughout the year.
September Community Service Hours – 2 hours
Cumulative Fall 2016 Community Service Hours – 6 hours
