Community Profile
Residents of New Orleans and the Gulf Region have endured significant loss and hardship in recent decades, including the destruction of Hurricane Katrina and the lasting effects of the BP oil spill. New Orleans residents take pride in their food, culture and heritage, and there is a determined, survivor's spirit that remains committed to rebuilding and thriving in this unique and challenging region.
The city continues to face real challenges. Louisiana ranks among the states with the highest poverty rates in the nation, and rising rents have driven a renewed homelessness crisis after years of progress — local providers report that family homelessness in particular has surged in recent years. The 9th Ward and other historically under-resourced neighborhoods continue to grapple with disproportionately high rates of poverty and educational disparity compared to the national average.
There are great needs in New Orleans, and many of the ministry leaders we partner with in New Orleans have experienced personal loss and trauma as they faithfully serve where God has called them to be his light. We have the opportunity to come along side of them and help bear the weight of the vital ministries that God has called them to in a unique and challenging mission field. The ministries serving year round in New Orleans are extremely creative, faithful and necessary — reaching out to those in need, including impoverished kids, the homeless, after school programs, displaced families and the elderly.
We invite you to bring your group to serve alongside of us on an urban New Orleans short term mission trip.
Sample Schedule
Breakfast / Devotionals
We provide breakfast for your team and give you the opportunity to either do devotionals as a group or for your students to do devotionals individually.
Special Needs Ministry
Serve alongside a mental health community in the city. Our teams have the opportunity to spend time with residents doing art, social gatherings, working in the garden etc.
Make a Lunch / Take a Lunch with Homeless Friends on the Square
Bible Club Preparation Time
Bible Club with a Partner Church in 9th Ward
Your group would have the opportunity to lead all aspects of the club including arts/crafts, Bible time, games, and a literacy/reading time.
Dinner at Kaleo Housing Site
Evening Debrief
This is a sample schedule and does not reflect specific times and ministry activities for your team.
Logistics
Cost
$400 for a five night trip or $480 for a six night trip includes all of your housing, food (with the exception of one evening meal on your night off) and ministry expenses. The only additional cost to your group is the cost of transportation.
Housing
Our Kaleo teams stay at our partner church right in the heart of the French Quarter. Our location will allow your team to fully be immersed in the unique culture of New Orleans. Additionally, your team will get to experience the daily life of the church as it seeks to love the poor and marginalized people in New Orleans. The dorm area is separated for boys and girls and there are showers onsite. Bunk beds are provided, but your team will need to provide their own bedding.
Parking
Parking can be difficult in the French Quarter. You will need to be prepared to drop off your team at the church prior to parking your vehicle. You may have to park up to a 10 minute walk from the housing site.
Transportation
You will need to have vehicles to transport each individual team and a space available in your van for one Kaleo staff member for each team.
Food
Our goal is to provide good and healthy food options for your team. Additionally, as part of our food service, we will provide your group with some meals that are unique to the local culture of New Orleans (Po’boys and Red Beans and Rice). We provide fruit at all meals and have salad options during lunch and dinner. If members of your team have food allergies, please let our City Director know. We can make basic accommodations such as gluten free bread and lactose free milk and you are free to bring additional food if necessary.
Your host on the ground
Justin Haynes
New Orleans City Director
From the field
New Orleans, in pictures
Ready to bring your group to New Orleans?
We are excited about the opportunity to partner with your group to serve our ministry partners and the people of New Orleans. If you would like more information, please feel free to contact us, or if you are ready to register your team, click the button below.