Spending a week in New Orleans with fellow Santa Clara Law students was an outstanding experience. Not only did we get to do extensive and varying legal work for those who could not afford it, but we were able to make new friends and bond with our fellow students - not only from SCU but from other law schools which worked at SLLS with us. The experience was one that I enjoyed thoroughly - one that exposed students to solving client problems through innovative legal claims. Also, the legal work provided an opportunity which allowed students to immerse ourselves in a community with a rich culture and history, which was evident when we met with clients as well as visiting different areas of the city.
Before we started working at SLLS, we took a tour of the lower 9th ward and saw some of the lingering effects of the storm. It was an eye-opening experience that showed the plight of local residents many years after Katrina. Much of the area is still undeveloped - houses are still being built but many homes are boarded up and abandoned. However, residents moving to the area still face lack of amenities such as grocery stores, restaurants, and the like. Also, there is yet to be a school reopening in the area, which provides even more hardships for families looking to move back into the area.
The city still needs volunteers in many different areas - from addressing the legal complications arising from Katrina, to building houses, community organizing, as well as other social welfare aspects.
Mitesh
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