Ventures Summer 2019 | Page 31

10 21 700+ years trips participants These numbers represent countless hours of rebuilds that are sold to the public at a reduced service rebuilding homes, reviving communities, price with affordable financing options to help and offering hope. This year, Mission: I’m Home revitalize the New Orleans Housing Market post- (MIH) celebrated its 10th anniversary as the Katrina. university’s only alternative break program on Away from the job site, there was time to its March 2019 trip to New Orleans. Co-founded explore exhibits and locations marking the by Stevenson staff member Morgan Somerville historic storm’s impact, and each day concluded ’14M and faculty members Art Fifer and Romas with meaningful reflections lead by both student Laskauskas, MIH launched its first trip in 2009 leaders and alumni. Lighter-hearted fun was and now runs four trips each year to a variety also to be had with ice-breakers, an exciting St. of locations that have been severely impacted by Patrick’s Day parade, and a traditional crawfish extreme storm events, including Baton Rouge, boil that concluded the week, at which Aaron La.; Staten Island, N.Y.; Monmouth County, N.J.; Milam ’13 ’18M and Danny Sloan ’13 were Houston, Texas; and the one that began it all— recognized with Outstanding Alumni Awards New Orleans. for their dedication to fostering relationships This year, 10 alumni were proud to join with current and future students within the students, faculty, staff, and friends of SU who organization. SBP also recognized Somerville with worked on three homes, completing more than the Louisiana Volunteer Service Award. 1,000 hours of service. The dedicated group spent seven days living and working in communities that are still feeling the effects of Hurricane Katrina, nearly 14 years after the Category 5 storm made landfall along the Gulf Coast. They worked on site with SBP (formerly St. Bernard Project), their community partner of 10 years. SBP is a national nonprofit organization focused on shrinking the time between disaster and recovery. Volunteers worked on Opportunity Housing, new builds or Several alumni pitched in to help on the MIH spring 2019 service trip. Left to right: Dominic Rybak ’10, Mark Wunder ’14, Kat Thompson ’17, Emily Iseman ’18, Danny Sloan ’13, Morgan Somerville ’14M, Aaron Milam ’13 ’18M, KJ Renfroe ’17 ’19M, Matt Piluk ’17 ’19M, and Naomi King ’18. STEVENSON.EDU/GIVING | 29