City Year to provide up to 60 evacuteers in 2009

June 3, 2009

New Orleans, La.
For immediate release

City Year Louisiana, a public service organization working to improve education in the city of New Orleans, has signed on to provide evacuteers in case of a mandatory evacuation of the city during the storm season 2009.

City Year is a long-time favorite program of President Bill Clinton and many others that unites young people of all backgrounds for a year of full-time service, giving them the skills and opportunities to change the world. As tutors, mentors, and role models, these young leaders make a difference in the lives of children and transform schools and neighborhoods across the United States and locally in New Orleans and Baton Rouge.

City Year corps members are 17-24 and have a deep commitment to public service. Evacuteer.org and the Office of Emergency Preparedness recognized what an asset City Year members could be as evacuteers should the CAEP be activated.

“We are thrilled to have City Year as a partner in 2009,” Robert Fogarty, evacuteer.org founder said. “They came and provided major support at the [Union Passenger Terminal] (UPT) during the re-entry from Gustav. City Year corps members really know how to get the job done”

During Hurricane Gustav, during the summer of 2008, City Year members manned Red Cross evacuation shelters in Northern Louisiana and upon re-entry to New Orleans aided incident commanders at the UPT.

“City Year Louisiana has made a commitment to the citizens of New Orleans and the state,” said Peggy Mendoza, City Year co-Executive Director. “We know our corps members can step up to the plate and handle this challenge.”

For more on City Year, visit: www.cityyear.org/louisiana