The Bonner Center at the College of New Jersey is preparing for its annual New Orleans service
trip this winter break. The fifth annual service trip, which will take place from January 5th to
January 15th, will include over 35 Bonner Scholars, two Bonner staff, one ISLES Youthbuild
staff member and one ISLES Youthbuild student. Together, they will provide various services
to the rebuilding effort in New Orleans, such as assisting homeowners in rehabilitating and
rebuilding their homes and promoting volunteerism in New Orleans.

Tommy Mladenetz, Bonner Scholar ’13 who helped plan the trip with Bonner Scholar Kayla
Simpkins ’14, explained that the trip has several important goals for the Bonner Center. “In the
past, we used to stop at Philadelphia on the first day that we left, but we have since changed it
and now go to Philly for a day earlier in the semester instead. In Philly, we take the students
to the Constitution Center, Independence Hall, and the Liberty Bell to give them a solid
understanding of democracy and how our country was created. Democracy is a crucial part of
the Bonner Program, as it allows the first-year students to understand an integral part of both our
community service and civic duties. The students then take this knowledge into our service in
New Orleans, as our main reason for going is to give back to citizens of our country, who were
mistreated and almost forgotten now being six years after Hurricane Katrina hit,” he explained.

The trip is also ultimately a bonding experience for many Bonner Scholars, especially those
who have never been to New Orleans or a service trip of this nature before. Bonner Chelsea
VanOrden ’15 expressed excitement at visiting the city for the first time, “knowing the
devastation there that still needs to be aided just breaks my heart. I can’t wait to help rebuild
someone’s life.”

The Bonner Scholars will be staying with the United Saints Recovery Project, a non-profit that
assists communities that have suffered damage from natural disasters. The organization has
completed over 100 rehab projects in New Orleans since 2008, and the Bonner Center is anxious
to provide more service to these projects this winter break.

“This trip is important to the Bonner Center because it allows students to see that more help
is needed. We are living very comfortable, and end to not know what goes on outside of
TCNJ. Taking students there will help them have a better understanding and purpose for why
they do service, and will also give students an eye opening of how they can improve their
service,” Bonner Scholars Richard Osei ’12 said. “…Community service is about building a
stronger community whether on campus, in your neighborhood, city, state, or any other type of
community. The Bonner Center is helping us realize that through other means of service, which
is outside of the state.”

All Bonner Scholars going on this trip expressed excitement at exploring the city’s rich history
and being a part of the progress being made there since Hurricane Katrina. Due to the fact that
the Bonner Scholars are leaving two days earlier this year, Mladenetz and Simpkins have helped
plan fun bonding activities for these extra days, including a scavenger hunt and a driving tour of
New Orleans. “Because this will be my third service trip to New Orleans, I am looking forward
to exploring the city more, meeting more residents, and ultimately building on the experiences I
had from the past two trips,” Mladenetz said. “After going back last year, it was awesome to see
the progress made in the city, and I hope to have the same feeling when we arrive this year.”

“I am looking forward to seeing improvement,” Osei said. “I know that more help is needed.
But seeing little improvements year by year allows me to know that New Orleans is headed to
the right direction. I am looking forward to seeing if i can recognize the old houses that I help
rebuild. Knowing that our service is making a difference and making people life easier is a
rewarding feeling. Also, I am looking forward to getting to know my fellow Bonners. During
the semester we all tend to be very busy. Getting to know each Bonner and learning more about
their service will be very rewarding.”

Please follow the Bonner Scholars New Orleans trip at the their blog: http://
tcnjbonnernola2012.blogspot.com/