Being a Changemaker: Creative Ways to Make a Difference Despite Covid-19

Last year, it seemed almost impossible to do any activities because of Covid-19. Days dragged on, and like everyone else I know, I became restless with an unsettling mix of boredom, anxiety, and uncertainty. There are so many hours in the day and only so many of those that I could spend reading a book or watching Netflix without going crazy. I was in a funk, and I thought, What could I do that would be purposeful and not keep me inside all day? This is when it hit me: What about doing service work and researching organizations that need help?

I have always had a passion for giving back to my community and with the pandemic I learned that there was an even greater need for donations and volunteers. With the cancellation of in-person service projects and events, I took the initiative to research and start my own student-led service project at school. Even though many things have been canceled, our local and global communities are still in need, now more than ever actually. The pandemic gave me time to research and come up with a plan for a service club.

I decided to help Smile Train, a global organization that provides treatment to children with cleft lips and palates, by brainstorming simple fundraising events for the cause. At school my club met virtually, researched independently, and planned a “socially distant” fundraiser for Smile Train. After we spent time looking into Smile Train, we created a presentation to share with the school administration on why they should support the cause.

In order to have a safe fundraiser, we came up with the idea to have a “dress down duds” day where the whole school could wear their happiest “duds.” That could be pajamas, favorite colors, basically whatever made students the happiest. We raised the money by only allowing people to wear duds if they brought in at least $3. Even though the whole school was not physically able to be together and participate in a more hands-on fundraiser, wearing their happiest duds made everyone feel like there was no distance between anyone. This is just one way that we as a service club were able to create a fundraiser for an important cause and encourage participation.

I encourage everyone to do the same for a cause special to them! First, I recommend researching places that need help in the New Orleans area or even looking into foundations across the nation that have a 501(c)(3) designation (meaning it is a nonprofit). Next, I would recommend reaching out to your school’s service coordinator and seeing if you can create a club that helps raise funds or collects items in a drive (like a food drive for Second Harvest or a diaper drive or feminine product drive for a women’s shelter).

Even if you are not able to create a club, there are many ways that you and a group of friends can help give back to the community.

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I created a list of some of the organizations that need donations and volunteers in the New Orleans area. This list is not extensive, but it is a great place to start if you are looking for a way to be involved in the New Orleans community!

Second Harvest Food Bank:

Provides hot meals for meal programs and distributes food to those impacted by food insecurity.

no-hunger.org

Grace at the Green Light:

Provides hot breakfast to homeless people.

graceatthegreenlight.org

New Orleans Women and Children’s Shelter:

Provides shelter and care for children and women affected by homelessness.

nowcs.org

Hotel Hope:

Provides guidance and a place to stay for homeless women and their children until they find a job and stable home.

hotelhope.org

St. Michael Special School:

Provides education and nurturing activities for students with disabilities.

stmichaelspecialschool.com

New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity:

Helps those in need of a stable home to build affordable homes.

habitat-nola.org

Glass Half Full:

Collects glass in the New Orleans area to recycle and distribute the processed glass.

glasshalffullnola.org

St. Bernard Project:

Helps with repairing and rebuilding damaged homes that have been hit by disaster.

sbpusa.org

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It is important that as citizens of this community we give back, especially during times like these. New Orleans is a vulnerable city and the pandemic increased joblessness, food insecurity, and violence. Whether it be plating meals, helping build a house, or sorting glass for recycling, the options are endless to help in this community. Even starting a club at your own school to help benefit a city or nation-wide cause is a way to continue to be impactful when traditional experiences to do so are limited. One thing I have learned this last year is that small steps can lead to big change and young people around the city are eager to be a part of solving the problems the pandemic has exposed.