Camp Hope
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Disambiguation: for the Forward Operating Base in Sadr City, Baghdad, see Camp War Eagle.
Camp Hope is a volunteer camp located in a former school in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana. Camp Hope has welcomed people from all over the United States and all over the world who have come to participate in the massive recovery effort of St. Bernard Parish and New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Camp Hope opened on June 1, 2006 in the former "W. Smith Junior Elementary School" in Violet, Louisiana. The opening was facilitated by two AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps Team Leaders, Alexandra Curley and Kaija McIntosh, and St. Bernard Parish employee Tom Pfalzer.
The mission of Camp Hope then, in addition to providing low-cost volunteer housing, was to facilitate volunteer relief efforts in St. Bernard Parish and in the New Orleans area. This effort included managing and participating in the removal of health and safety hazards from properties throughout St. Bernard Parish with the assistance of the local, state, federal, NCCC, and other volunteer and non-governmental agencies. As of December 22, 2006, volunteers in St. Bernard had gutted 2,006 homes in St. Bernard Parish.
In January of 2007, Camp Hope changed its mission to focus on rebuilding and new construction. Camp Hope is currently run by the New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity affliate of Habitat for Humanity International. August 15, 2007, Camp Hope moved to its current location, the former "Beauregard Middle School" in St. Bernard, LA. Most volunteers who stay at Camp Hope volunteer with New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity or with the St. Bernard Project (located in Chalmette, LA) though any volunteer is welcome.
Camp Hope is also a camp in California that serves children who have had a parent or sibling die. Children may attend this camp for free with the consent of parents and the generosity of donors who provide this much needed service.
