Apr 02, 2007 - HMC students were among the 500 individuals who cleaned up trash and debris in New Orleans March 14-15. Working in conjunction with the Common Ground Collective, HMC students, along with New Orleans residents and other volunteers, cleaned up debris and trash in the Lower Ninth Ward to prevent the city from forcefully taking private property.

Thousands of residents—many of whom are elderly and disabled—are facing the possibility of having their homes taken by the city if they do not keep their lots clean and their lawns cut. "But since many of the families have not been able to return home, much less afford rebuilding, Common Ground helps out that way," reporteed student volunteer Tony Hutain ‘08.

In addition to Hutain, Jackie Pham ‘08, Donavion Huskey ‘09, Benyue Liu ‘10, David Miller ‘10, Donna Phu ‘09 and Minal Shankar ‘08 traveled to New Orleans to make a difference.

The group arrives at the Common Ground Collective in New Orleans, ready to work.

Students gaze at a house in the Lower Ninth Ward neighborhood that had been picked up during the hurricane and moved dozens of feet.

HMC students move debris to ensure that residents will not be evicted from their homes.