During the first week of September, MMI served as a shelter for 223 people evacuated from the New Orleans area due to Hurricane Gustav. Nearly one-third of the evacuees were children. Judson students took donated toys, books, and games to the children early in the week. Student groups were organized each morning and afternoon to play games and read with the children. A campus-wide sock drive was organized after many of the evacuees requested socks from our students and staff members, and a total of 203 pairs of socks were donated.
Education faculty members Kathy Chandler, Gwen McCorquodale, and Lesley Sheek and their students graciously volunteered their time to provide age-appropriate educational activities for elementary school aged children throughout the week. Students in the Introduction to Social Work class gained hands-on experience as they helped organize and distribute clothes donated by Sowing Seeds of Hope and various Judson alumnae.
Evacuees boarded buses to return home on the morning of September 5. A total of 31 students and 7 faculty and staff members participated in hands-on projects provided for the refugees. Judson’s programs were offered in partnership with the American Red Cross, and with help from our friends at Sowing Seeds of Hope and MMI.
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