The Katrina Chronicles, an Alternative Spring Break program offered at Ramapo College of New Jersey in March of 2006, was a once in a lifetime opportunity for students to walk in the moccasins of Hurricane Katrina survivors and to help them rebuild their homes and lives. Furthermore, it was an opportunity to interview and to record the victims’ one-thousand untold stories and to use the written word, photography, and other media to retell those tales in a online “Zine” to be published by the participants.

Students on this trip were placed on crews completing recovery projects in communities hit by the disaster, including Biloxi, MS and New Orleans, LA. Participants undertook diverse reconstruction and volunteer support activities including debris removal, tree removal, construction, sheetrock hanging, painting, building repairs, and preparing volunteer meals.

The trip reflection started with a critical examination of the history of the region, as well as an exploration of the role of social policy within prevention and relief efforts.

While no formal construction experience was necessary, this trip challenged participant’s comfort zones in many ways. The dialogues were intense and the work was strenuous. However, all of the work was transformative for the participants.