ESCAPE Alert! Service Sites

Our trip is little more than a week away and we're gearing up to dispatch dozens of college kids to the areas of New Orleans that need it the most. Take a list at the full list of service sites our volunteers will help:

Sojourner Truth Academy - High school began in August 2008 by two woman who started out in New Orleans on a week-long visit. The school is incremently adding 9th grade classes each year. The AB E.S.C.A.P.E. group will provide a College 101 session on college preparation, financial aid & scholarships and the importance of higher education in addition to providing tutoring support.

Good Shepherd School -- Started in 2001 by the late Fr. Harry Tompson, S.J, this K-7 extended day, year-round school accepts students tuition-free. Volunteers will tutor students and help prepare for upcoming state tests.

WOW Jamz in Harvey, La. --A day long event featuring music by Linda Tavani (former member of Peaches & Herb), food, plant giveaways, family photos, massages, makeovers and much needed recreation. Over 200 volunteers are needed for this event so the entire team will lend a hand on Tuesday, March 9. This event will allow us to be active on the West Bank of New Orleans during our week of service.

Amistad Reserach Center -- Oldest US repository of African and African descended manuscripts. We'll be cataloging items and helping with collection maintenance.

Lower Ninth Ward Health Clinic -- First and only community health clinic open in the lower ninth since Hurricane Katrina hit in August 2005.

City Park -- volunteers here will work on trail restoration and environmental issues

Pontilly Neighborhood Association -- the Gentilly-Ponchartrain Park neighborhood association

Frederick Douglass High School -- 10th to 12th grade school. AB E.S.C.A.P.E. participants will serve as tutors on site for the week. Each year Fisk University visits this site, so the combined Case + Fisk group will work here in 2010.


We still need funds to make this trip a success. Donate now!

--Melissa Johnson

ESCAPERS To Know: Tim Coan

In preparation of our trip to New Orleans, we'll be profiling students from Case Western Reserve and Fisk Universities. Why do they want to help re-build the city? What are they looking forward to experiencing?

Our first profile is of Tim Coan, a 21-year old Mechanical Engineering student at Case.

The E.S.C.A.P.E. Times: What first drew you to AB E.S.C.A.P.E.?

Tim Coan: I can't say there was anything in particular, I was just excited about an opportunity to give back to the community. The past two spring breaks I was on the varsity baseball team at CWRU, but I am not playing this year so I had a free spring break to fill. One of the first ideas that popped in my head was doing a service trip, to New Orleans in particular.

TET: How have you prepared for your trip?

TC: I am going the fast for a day or two before hand so I can make the most room for the food when I get down there. I have only heard good things about the New Orleans food scene.

TET: Have you ever visited New Orleans?

TC: I have never been to New Orleans, the closest I've been is Sanford, Florida (The city where Case's baseball team goes to play the UAA tournament over spring break)
TET: Have you taken part in any of the fundraising efforts? If so, which ones?

TC: So far, I have only helped with the bake sale. I manned a station and provided some brownies. I think I am going to go to the Mardi Gras dinner fundraiser at Fat Fish Blue.
TET: Which project sites are you looking forward to visiting the most?

TC: The school sites where we can mentor students and get them excited about college. Janice specifically said that one school's kids listed last years volunteer group as one of the best things they had done the whole school year. Providing some motivation or spark for these kids inner fires is something I really look forward to. I take for granite all the opportunities and people I had guiding me though my life to this point, I hope I can give some of that back.

TET: What else are you looking forward to doing while you're in New Orleans?

TC: Did I mention the food?

TET: How do you anticipate this trip shaping or changing your college experience?

TC: Hopefully it will provide me with a "bigger picture." At Case it is very easy to get caught up in the work, the grades and the post graduation job. It is very easy to lose sight of the community and giving back when you are so entrenched in personal ambitions. I don't have any particular anticipations that could result from this trip, I just want to keep an open mind and let what happens, happen.

TET: What local New Orleans food are you looking forward to trying?

TC: Everything, after that I'll probably try it all again.

Help Tim realize his ambitious food dreams (and help New Orleans residents and students, too) by donating to one of AB E.S.C.A.P.E.'s fundraisers, here.