Our School at Blair Grocery (OSBG) is an after-school program and alternative school for students in the Lower Ninth Ward, one of the areas of New Orleans hit hardest by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and still working to recover. The main objective of OSBG is to teach students about gardening and sustainability while providing a safe environment and preventing them from falling to the drugs or violence that are so prevalent in the area.
Students work in the garden to grow produce that is sold at a local farmer’s market every week to members of the community (providing some of the only inexpensive fresh food in the area) and to local restaurants. The school is constantly looking for both interns and volunteers, especially over breaks. These volunteers and interns interact with the students, aiding them with the learning process and helping the upkeep of the garden which not only has produce but is also beginning to cultivate bees and chickens.
OSBG is looking to expand, and can use a lot of assistance both with labor and raising funds, especially because they are not receiving support from the state of Louisiana.
To learn more information, check out the OSBG blog
For questions about volunteering or interning, individuals can contact:
Kyle Meador (Director of Education Programs) at kmeador@ces-nola.org or call 916.849.9866
The internship is about 8 weeks long, so if people are interested in staying for a shorter time they can email Ryan Meador at themeadorfamily@gmail.com
