Since the very beginning of the New Orleans field, one of our main focuses has been helping homeowners. In the beginning this took the form of mucking out houses, replacing drywall, and intense remodeling. Over the past 20 years the needs have evolved, but the opportunity to help is evident.

Throughout the city and St Bernard Parish our volunteers have patched roofs, replaced drywall, cleaned, painted, and so much more. While natural disasters are a more visible cause of need, the individual disasters of illness, loss, and misfortune are just as dire. We are contacted by individuals in need through our connections with several local churches’ benevolence teams and ministry partners. Increasingly, individuals see our work on their neighbor’s home and ask for assistance themselves or for a family member. But these repairs are just a small part of the ministry.

Putting a home back in order is important to the healing process, but we know that the conversations during those projects are just as necessary. Throughout all of CrossRoads’ fields, we use renovation projects as a vehicle to start those conversations. By spending time together working toward a common goal, trust is built and hearts are softened to receive hope. A humbling example is a project in 2023. We were able to help Mrs Angela around her home after the loss of her son. God provided the perfect team of volunteers to help her through the initial shock of loss while also cleaning and making repairs around her home. 

Read more about how we served Mrs Angela…

Last summer we had the opportunity to help another family get into a better home for their children with severe medical needs. While the new house itself was more sound than their current living situation, it had never been completed. Volunteers were able to finish out the painting and cleaning necessary to make the home safe for the family.

In New Orleans, the people we help are often elderly individuals whose children have moved away or are unable to assist. Sometimes they are also caring for grandchildren on a regular basis. While they are unable to make repairs themselves, these individuals are also often starved for connection. This spring we were able to assist several homeowners in addition to our ongoing projects alongside other ministries. 

One such project might have seemed small, but was a big impact for the homeowners. The goal was to spend the day repainting the ceiling, but most of the time was truly spent talking and sharing. This gave everyone the opportunity to share about home, learn about the neighborhood, and give encouragement. Even weeks after the project, the homeowner will still thank the staff for sending the group over for just a day. 

Painting continued for our next two homeowners, this time outside. We were still able to have some good conversations, pray together, and share encouragement, but during these weeks the visibility was facing outward. On both of these sites neighbors and family would stop to compliment the painting – an improvement on one house helps the entire neighborhood. As people stopped on their walks, or even pulled over in their cars, our volunteers and staff jumped at the opportunity to form a new connection. Through these conversations our volunteers were also able to pray for many more people who we otherwise wouldn’t have met. 

This visibility also has led us towards several other homeowners in need of assistance. Whether it was the homeowner themselves or a family member, through conversations on the sidewalk we’ve connected to several families that we hope to help in the near future. We need your help to assist as many homeowners as possible!

• Help us fund these Homeowners Assistance projects by DONATING to the New Orleans field
• Are you skilled in construction and interested in ministry like this? We have short and long term opportunities available for individuals and small groups – contact us to learn more! 
• Schedule your short-term mission trip today!
• Pray for our staff and these homeowners as we begin these projects
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