The Road to the Gulf, a program of HandsOn Network and University of Phoenix, was conceived as New Orleans was announced as the host city for the 2011 National Conference on Volunteering and Service. The city was an inspiration for the approach it has taken to solve the problems associated with both manmade and natural disasters. By calling on grassroots leaders to affect change in its own communities, New Orleans has rebounded and built an even stronger culture.

The Road to the Gulf has used that model to train and activate volunteer leaders, build nonprofit capacity and mobilize volunteers across the country during events in Atlanta, Charlotte, San Francisco, Phoenix, Washington, D.C., Chicago and Kansas City.

To date, the Road to the Gulf has:

• Engaged 9,000 volunteers
• Trained 2,500 volunteer leaders
• Assembled 10,000 meal kits
• Delivered 950 school supply kits
• Donated 650 books
• Packed 500 emergency preparedness kits

With the time, talent and resources of up to 700 NCVS participants, local volunteers and the continued support of University of Phoenix, 25 parks and recreation centers across the city of New Orleans will be revitalized. Four signature park restoration projects will be held at Sam Bonart Park, Bunny Friend Park, Village de l’est Park and Evans Park. At each park, volunteers will install new playground equipment, repair basketball courts, install sideline benches, build
soccer fields, install lighting and beautify the parks so they become jewels within their neighborhoods.

As a matter of fact, the cities of New Orleans and Gulfport have diverted 2,000 food boxes packed during the Road to the Gulf’s tour stop in Kansas City to the central Alabama neighborhoods that were so devastated recently by tornadoes. Whether you use your time, talent, voice or resources to create change, we hope you’ll hit the road with us to a stronger future.