A Great Week in Who Dat Nation

Hey Everyone,

The DeVos Sport Business Program just went on their 24th trip to New Orleans with the Hope For Stanley Alliance. As always it was a great trip that saw 23 DeVos students give nearly 450 hours of their time to help rebuild the city of New Orleans. We got to spend time with the Stewart family, building relationships within our own group, and even got to watch a great game between the Denver Nuggets and New Orleans Hornets and even got a group picture with the New Orleans Hornets dancers on the court after the game. For me, it was great to see the city so alive and filled with hope that is surely partially brought by the recent New Orleans Saints Super Bowl victory. I always enjoy going back to the Crescent City and continue to be blessed by the people I meet and the time I spend in this great city. As always after a big trip, I choose to (instead of blogging) allow you instead to read some of the reflections from our students that went on the trip. I hope you enjoy their thoughts as much as I did!

Thanks for your support,

Devan Dignan
Hope For Stanley Graduate Assistant

"Visiting New Orleans for the third time was just as gratifying as the previous trips. It was great to see more and more progress being made to rebuild the Lower Ninth Ward and St. Bernard areas. During this trip I was fortunate enough to be able to work on the same house as I did in December. I was able to see many improvements to some the projects we previously began on the house. Unfortunately we were not able to meet any the homeowners this time but the fact that we worked towards getting someone back into a homes makes each and every trip very worthwhile. I also hope to be able attend many more trips and one day see the family living in their finished home."

~ Wayne Clark, UCF Student, DeVos Sport Business Minor

"I was really curious to see how I would feel when I arrived in New Orleans after my first trip in August. Our first day out to the worksite was eerily similar to that first time in August, everyone is quiet and just taking in the surroundings. Instead of seeing everything for the first time I now was able to see the changes that had occurred. Amusingly, I found one signal of a return to normality, a new Wal-Mart. While there was progress it was heartbreaking to still see so much that was left to do. In a way it makes you feel hopeless, like no matter how much time goes by is anything really going to change? However, I think it just shows us that much more how we need to not forget about NOLA. I think too many times people get caught up in the hype of the latest tragedy, for instance the devastation that has happened in Haiti. It always aggravates me when I tell people I’m going to build houses in New Orleans and they give me that look like “we’re still doing that?” Its like they think that time has healed everything. I’m so proud to be part of an organization that is not interested in a “one and done” kind of experience. I’m amazed and proud to say that this was Hope for Stanley’s 24^th trip.

What amazes the most about these volunteer trips is how much I get out of them. At first it may seem as if I’m really sacrificing a lot to give up my Spring Break to go build houses. I honestly feel I have gotten more from these trips then I can ever give back. I’ll be the first to tell you I’m not the type that you would want to call if you needed help with house construction. One of my biggest qualities is being a klutz. I will always be remembered from the trip in August for stapling my hand. The empowerment that comes from saying I am now able to hang drywall or insulate a house is priceless. It makes you appreciate so much what you have been given. I remember I used to complain so much when my parents would want to go to Home Depot for something to improve on our house, now I realize how lucky we are to be able to have a home that we can improve upon.

The most memorable part of this trip is definitely the bonds that I made with my teammates. A lot of the time it’s easy for us to get caught up in our own groups of friends while we’re in Orlando. When you’re scraping paint off a house for hours you can get to know someone like you never have before. While at the time the tedious work was not the best but at the end of the week seeing how much we transformed that house was great. Just making the trip itself was also a bonding experience. There’s nothing like jamming out to some old school Nsync and everyone, and I mean everyone, singing the lyrics as loud as they can. One of the biggest triumphs of the trip might have been the fact that I, a UT alumni, was able to sit in the front of our van with a UK guy and listen to the Vols and Cats play in the SEC tournament on the way home (thanks Joey for not rubbing it in too bad). Now, how’s that for ethics and diversity?

~ Natalie Welch; DeVos Class of 2011

"We just got back from our spring break trip to New Orleans. It was our third trip as a DeVos class and the first without members of the previous class joining us. It was once again a wonderful experience and a great bonding opportunity for our class. There were 22 of us on this trip, which is the largest contingent that a single DeVos class has sent on any spring break trip. We were able to contribute approximately 5000 hours of service towards rebuilding the St. Bernard area outside of New Orleans.

What was apparent to me on this trip was that our efforts are not going unnoticed or unappreciated. This past week we got to work with a group from Georgetown, and they seemed to be just as passionate about volunteering their time to help others as we are. It is great to see more and more volunteers from around the country each time we go back. This is important because we need to spread the word that New Orleans has not been rebuilt and still needs a lot of help and support. There were so many volunteers working with the St. Bernard project this week that they were able to split volunteers into two 6-hour shifts to maximize the day and get as much work done as possible. I can only imagine how extensive the improvement in the area was over the past week. The house that I worked on was a senior home designed to house elderly residents that have no other place to go. When we walked in to the home on Tuesday we saw a skeleton of a house, just the framework was up. When we left on Friday I could not believe how much work was accomplished on the house. The drywall had been put up over the entire house and the majority of the house had been through the mudding process and was ready for the next phase of development.

Another eye opening experience for me was experiencing Camp Hope. There are a number of amazing individuals, shout out to James and Aaron, who donate months and even years of their lives living in the destroyed areas of New Orleans and supervising the volunteers at each site. Our house was a block away from Camp Hope, which is where many of these volunteers live. We saw the tents that they sleep in and the communal bathrooms/changing rooms that they have in the stripped building. What was so impressive was the enlightened and lively attitude that all of the volunteers had despite their current living situation. They truly enjoyed giving their time to rebuilding the city and helping others. They were also kind enough to invite us to dinner throughout the week."

~ Mike Connolly; DeVos Class of 2011


"WHO DAT, WHO DAT, WHO DAT SAID DEY GON BEAT DEM SAINTS? From the moment we arrived in my hometown, New Orleans, Louisiana we saw signs…signs of triumph and victory. This shows how integral sports are in times of tragedy, and how it brings us together. Five years after Hurricane Katrina took down the city of New Orleans, the Saints gave us a Championship, something to cheer about. Each trip we take to New Orleans, our mission is to lend a hand in getting a victim of Katrina back into their homes. If it’s painting a house, putting up drywall, chipping paint, mold remediation, insulation, or framing a window, we completed the project to the best of our ability.

As we pulled up to the house we were going to work on during the week, our first thought was “a senior citizen home, this is small.” But once we walked inside, we saw two bathrooms, and four bedrooms in this one story home. This house was unique in the fact that there wasn’t a specific owner, but we knew we were rebuilding for older men and women. This specific trip was different, in all, because we had the second shift, 2-8 p.m. Also, the house I worked on was two blocks from Camp Hope, so during our lunch breaks we were able to join other volunteers with a meal which was prepared by Camp Hope volunteers. Many of the volunteers lived at camp hope, there were tents lined up in the backyard, a lot of them were showering during lunch/dinner…their lives, for months, were spent at this camp and rebuilding homes.

One thing that was evident to me during this trip was our ability to work together, complete the best work, and also enjoy putting up drywall or mudding. We were fortunate enough to work alongside another group, because we were able to appreciate each other’s positive attitudes and work ethic. While they complained, we danced, sang, joked along with being productive in our tasks each day. There were many firsts for me during this trip…first time using a drill, first time putting up drywall, first time using a drywall router…each day I became better, and by the end of the week I was a pro at each one.

Every time the trip ends, I’m excited about the next one. So, I am looking forward to joining the new class in August for my third trip to New Orleans"

~ Rita Grayson; DeVos Class of 2011

A Penny for Your Thoughts

Who knew fundraising could be so much fun?!

In the spirit of charity and friendly competition, the DeVos Sport Business Management program recently participated in a Penny Wars fundraiser with all proceeds going to the Hope for Stanley Alliance. The object of this competition was pretty simple and straightforward. We placed two oversized jars (representing each current class) in the office for a week and the students placed loose change and bills in each container. Each penny counted for one point while silver coins and dollars subtracted points at face value. Team members helped their team by adding pennies to their team’s jar while sabotaging the other team’s final count by adding silver coins and dollars. For a full week the classes of 2010 and 2011 plotted and strategized against their friends and classmates. The trash talking ensued and all personal bonds and relationships were placed on the back burner!

The winning class received a “dress-down day” and of course the bliss that comes along with beating your friends. I must admit, the competition was stiff, but my class (2011) was victorious over the class of 2010. Our strategy? We hid large bills inside of smaller ones! The win came at the perfect time because we had an exam at 7:30am the following Monday so we were allowed to wear jeans and flip flops instead of our normal business casual attire. Although we got a kick out of the competition aspect of Penny Wars, it was all for a good cause and that was most important to everyone involved. Between November 2 – 13 we were able to raise a total of $226.27 towards rebuilding New Orleans.

Penny Wars turned out to be a big hit and a great success. We will definitely use this method of fundraising in the future. It’s fun and it supports a great cause… helping to rebuild and restore communities affected by natural disasters. Members and supporters of Hope for Stanley Alliance are always thinking of ways to positively impact the lives of the residents of New Orleans even when we aren’t physically there. Penny Wars is a small way for the students of the DeVos Sport Business Management program to give back. We are thankful to all of the friends and supporters of Hope for Stanley Alliance. Our success in New Orleans continues to grow because of you.

Naomi Robinson, Graduate Assistant, Hope for Stanley Alliance

Orlando Magic 50/50 Raffle

This past week has been a busy time in the world of sport. The NFL season is reaching its halfway point, the World Series has started, the BCS rankings came out, and the NBA season began. And of course, the beginning of the NBA season has brought excitement and enthusiasm to Orlando stemming from the Magic's run to the Finals last season. Fans are anticipating a strong start to this season and are lined up outside Amway Area in hopes of generating sell out crowds to help support their team, the Magic. In past season, the DeVos Program and the Hope for Stanley Alliance has leveraged this strong fan base and teamed up with the Orlando Magic to hold a 50-50 raffle that helps raise money for the DeVos Sports Business Management Program, Hope for Stanley and the Orlando Magic Youth Fund.

The 50-50 raffle is a great fundraiser because for only $1 a ticket, participants have an opportunity to win half of the money raised as well as help out two great causes. The partnership with the Magic continues to be a blessing to Hope for Stanley. On the opening night of the season, we were able to raise over $250 for Hope for Stanley. Aside from simply raising money, it has been a great opportunity to be able to talk to Magic fans and people in the Orlando area about Hope for Stanley and to continue to strengthen the relationship between us, the Magic, and the community. I personally enjoyed being at Amway Arena and selling the raffle tickets and to do what I could to help raise money for this great cause that is very dear to me. I was very excited to give my time and effort to do something that will make a difference in the lives of the people of the Lower Ninth Ward in New Orleans.

So if you ever find yourself at a Magic game, take a walk around the concourse, and look for our table or individuals representing the DeVos Program selling tickets. When you buy a ticket, you not only give yourself a chance to win over $1000 but you help give someone else the chance to get their life back and to have a home

~ Devan, Graduate Assistant, Hope for Stanley Alliance

Chick-Fil-A Spirit Night

The Hope for Stanley Alliance and the DeVos Sport Business Management Program teamed up to bring UCF students and the local community together in an effort to help raise money for Hope For Stanley’s efforts in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans, Louisiana . Garnering the participation of one of the local Chick-Fil-A franchises, the Hope for Stanley Alliance hosted a spirit night to get more students involved and increase awareness of the Alliance's initiative. A percentage of each individual purchase of those in attendance for the event went directly towards Hope for Stanley's efforts in New Orleans. This was a unique opportunity to eat great food while also supporting a great cause – rebuilding the livelihood of the hurricane stricken community of New Orleans.

Chick-Fil-A Spirit Night was a success. Hope for Stanley is thankful for friends and supporters for their continued involvement with the Alliance and the impact they make in the New Orleans community.

Bryan Collier - Graduate Assistant for the Hope For Stanley Alliance

Final Day

“You find as a writer there are certain spots on the planet where you write better than others, and I believe in that. And New Orleans is one of them.” Jimmy Buffett, singer and songwriter

In the years since Hurricane Katrina struck the city of New Orleans, much has been written about the devastation of the floods and the failures of the government in its response to a crisis. As I reflect on my last day of work on our program’s most recent visit, I feel inspired to write not about pain and loss, but rather of an optimistic belief that things are getting better thanks to the work of students in the DeVos Program. When several of my classmates and I entered our house on Mink Road, all that stood was the framework of a house that had been beaten by the storm and the effect of time. Over the next four days, we set about laying the framework for the rebuilding process, as we fastened insulation to the walls and ceilings and carefully measured and mounted drywall. With an hour to go on our last day of work, we put up the final piece of drywall in the bedroom closet, thus completing the important first steps in reconstructing a house. The people with the St. Bernard Project and our fearless house leader Milo gave us not only the tools to do some great work, but the education and encouragement needed for us to really get our hands dirty and make a difference for the homeowner, a gentleman named Mac. A longtime New Orleans resident, Mac told us he had put on hold the reconstruction of his retirement home so that the money he had could go towards rebuilding the local community center. A few years ago, Stanley Stewart and the DeVos Program worked together to build the foundation for a great partnership. Today, we carry out their vision, Hope for Stanley, to rebuild and give hope to people like Mac, one of the beautiful New Orleanians that inspire and reaffirm our purpose to help make someone’s house a home once again.

Charlie Harless is a member of the DeVos 2010 class and has been to New Orleans 3 times.

Day 4

Today I had the opportunity and privilege to bond with some of my 2010 and 2011 classmates as we performed mold remediation, painting and other various tasks. On the track field, teams grow together as they push their bodies past limitations. In combat, soldiers’ grow together as they fight for a common goal. In Mack’s house DeVos students grew together as they labored in an act of service.

Joslyn Dalton is a member of the DeVos 2011 class and this is her first time to New Orleans.

This trip was more of a confirmation of what I thought of the conditions and how life was like. As for my emotions, naturally I felt angry but I also felt excited and an eagerness to get to work. I was ready. But today I actually met the owner of the home we where repairing and it shattered my mental frame. The stories she told us about how the family survived was amazing. It gave me an extra sense of pride for the people and determination to finish the job.

David Benoit is a member of the DeVos 2011 class and this is his first time to New Orleans.

This trip has been an amazing and very eye opening experience. It is a pleasure to work with such a great group of people and give back to others at the same time for the past couple of days. I have worked on a house with my incoming class of 2011 and the class of 2010. We have preformed many task including painting, mudding, hanging dry wall, installing insulation, making windows, and mold remediation. I have gained immeasurable value through the Hope for Stanley Alliance and throughout the trip. It has enabled me to receive a firsthand account of the stories and tragedies caused by Hurricane Katrina, gain home building knowledge and experience and I was able to unite with members of the DeVos program.

Austin Moss is a member of the DeVos 2011 class and this is his first time to New Orleans.

Day 3

Dr. Lapchick wasn’t kidding when he said that this trip to New Orleans would be life changing. I have already been impacted by so much and I expect that the next few days will continue to touch me. I had the privilege to work at the same house that I worked the previous day, but with a fairly new set of people. Day 2, I spent the whole day putting in insulation and thought I’d never have to do it again … until today. But today was different. Today, I enjoyed it and the sense of accomplishment that we as a team made so much progress. Even when I was working by myself, I could hear the others laughing together and I felt so blessed. As J.T. put it, “I love being a part of a program that doesn’t just talk about making an impact in the world, but actually does it.” Today was the day that I realized I didn’t want to leave New Orleans. There is so much that can be done and so many people in need. Although this trip is short, I know we are leaving footprints of restoration and I can’t wait to finish the rest of the drywall tomorrow!

Jessie Gardner is a member of the DeVos 2011 class and this is her first time to New Orleans.

I have no idea what I am feeling right now, there is so much going on in my mind and in my heart. Coming back to New Orleans and talking to its people has brought back feelings from my DeVos Orientation trip a year ago. I cannot seem to forget, nor do I want to, what I felt that first day. That day changed my outlook on life. I saw a sign that read, “Don’t rebuild Iraq, rebuild New Orleans.” Needless to say, it stuck with me. I felt many things that day, but one thing kept coming to the forefront of my thoughts: I felt like America, the most powerful country in the world, had forsaken New Orleans’ people. We wouldn’t have to worry about rebuilding the Middle East, had we never been there to begin with…

What gives me hope is that the American people have not forgotten about New Orleans. We are proof of that. What we do does matter, and now it is up to us to bring the New Orleans people back to their homes.

Alejandra Diaz-Calderon is a member of the DeVos 2010 class and has been to New Orleans 2 times.

I am so glad to be back in New Orleans. It is very inspirational and promising that things are improving, though it may be slowly. Every time I ride down St. Claude Avenue, I notice more and more indications that people’s lives are being restored. Whether it is a school, a nice house, or a restaurant, the signs are promising.

Today, I was lucky enough to get to hang dry wall, which is one of my favorite restoration projects to participate in. Though tough, especially when hanging the dry wall on the ceilings, I was encouraged and happy regarding how the new class took on the task. It showed me that Hope for Stanley was being left in good hands after my class and I graduate in December.

Will Johnson is a member of the DeVos 2010 class and has been to New Orleans 4 times.

Day 2

I am one of the 29 students in the DeVos 2010 class who has been touched by the people of New Orleans. I worked on a house with 3 other classmates and we did not know … what the condition of the house was before we walked into it. We went in with the mentality that we are here to work and that we will do whatever we need to do to help the family get into their home as soon as possible. We know that Hurricane Katrina hit the city of New Orleans four years ago, Aug 29, and many families have not been able to move into their home, which is obscene. My classmates and I came together diligently with the mindset that we needed to work efficiently yet make sure that we treated this house as if it were ours. We were instructed by Jon a 22 year old man from AmeriCorps. He showed us how to put up dry wall. We quickly worked as a team and found a system that we stuck by, which helped us come close to finishing all the dry wall on the ceiling of the first floor of the house. I am very thankful for Mr. Rich DeVos for funding this trip and giving me the opportunity to give back to people in need. “Hands that serve are holier than lips that pray” – Sai Baba

Shayain J. Gustavsp is a member of the DeVos 2010 class and has been to New Orleans 4times.

As always I have had another inspiring first day on a Hope For Stanley trip. I am proud to see so many DeVos students on the trip and I have already met some great people. These individuals remind me why I continually come back. I am always amazed to see the different house leaders who dedicate their lives to helping rebuild New Orleans. Although we didn’t meet the owners of the house we worked on, we have heard how much they truly appreciate the work all the volunteers do, which is why I persistently come back. Even though I’m out of school and in the real world, I have every intention of coming back to New Orleans as long there is a need. I leave New Orleans inspired every time I visit because the people are really are so uplifting with their optimism despite so much tragedy.

Ray Mathew was a member of the DeVos 2009 class and has been to New Orleans 4 times.

Day 1

As I touched down in New Orleans, my first thought was “I’m Home”. New Orleans has become the city I’ve grown to love and I was glad to be back to do my part in the restoration of this city. Today we helped “The Village” in the lower 9th ward. Mack is the organizer of the Village and his goal is to transform a warehouse destroyed by Katrina to a community center for the people of New Orleans. We helped Mack by organizing books donated to the village and painted the entry door leading to the kids zone. By providing Mack with help we played a special role in Mack’s vision for the Village. Amazing start for the week of service ahead.

Kimberly Francois was a member of the DeVos 2008 class and has been to New Orleans 5 times.

Hope For Stanley August Trip Day Accounts

I am anxious before the entire DeVos class arrives in New Orleans for the 2009 Orientation. The planning is the easy part – it’s good to see things fall into place and to have plans ready to be set in motion. But I’m always anxious to see how students will react to New Orleans and the people they meet. One of my fears is that students will look at New Orleans and look along apathetically, that they will not see things the way I see things, and the way so many of my classmates saw things when we first traveled here. I’ve been in New Orleans now for a year and eight months, about 605 days. I have yet to figure out everything I’ve felt about this place. Sometimes I wake up and think about how surreal it is to be here, and to be involved in something described so vaguely as “recovery.” What does it mean to recover when things will never again be the same? For New Orleans, it means everything and nothing – the word itself sometimes seems to me like the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. I can’t see it, and as much as I would like to think that the pot of gold is there, I know that it won’t be if I ever get to the end of the rainbow. They use the phrase “Road to Recovery” a lot around here, but I don’t know where the road starts, where it goes, and where it ends, or who’s on it. I just hope that whatever this road is, whatever we’re paving here in New Orleans, that it is headed in the right direction.

It’s been an incredible past year getting the opportunity to serve this city and its people. Through Hope for Stanley, hundreds of volunteers have discovered New Orleans to find it a charming and tragic city. Hundreds of volunteers have given their sweat, time, money, and in many cases, emotional involvement. But there are times when I’m so frustrated with everything about the rebuilding process. I’m learning things about people and governments that I wish weren’t true. It turns out that even when a disaster ruins a community, there will still be people and institutions bent on ruining things even more. And it all gets me back to the volunteers; it turns out that even when a disaster ruins a community, there will forever be people and institutions bent on making things better – on taking a stand and making change a reality and not some dream we only think or speak about. My anxiousness is relieved knowing that they are here to help. DeVos students are so talented in so many ways and I am thankful to still be connected to this program and to see how students continue to experience the program. I know that they will work hard and do whatever is asked of them. When I look back years from now, I will know that because of our collective involvement, that if there is a road headed in the right direction, we certainly played a part in paving it and walking on it alongside the rest of New Orleans.

Horacio Ruiz