The theme for our Core Team leadership program this year is Global Leadership. Students in the program have the opportunity to hear from and engage with a variety of notable figures who are doing valuable work in their respective fields. At the Core Team retreat, we heard from Renee Firestone, a 94-year-old Holocaust survivor who tours the country, speaking to ensure the atrocity is not forgotten.

In January, our Core Team had the chance to hear from Rwandan genocide survivor Carine Rusesabagina Kanimba, whose father Paul inspired the award-winning film Hotel Rwanda. During the Rwandan genocide, Mr. Rusesabagina helped shelter more than 1,000 people inside the hotel he managed. The family has since created the Hotel Rwanda Rusesabagina Foundation which works to support peace and help survivors of genocide.

Immediately following Carine, Delena Coby, former Executive Vice President of Human Resources at Nordstrom, spoke to the Core Team about professionalism and job readiness skills. A few of the Core Team leaders were also given the chance to have an impromptu interview!

Any student who has volunteered with Shirts Across America in New Orleans is eligible to apply for the Core Team leadership program. Interested in more information? Email us at neworleans@shirtsacrossamerica.org.

What is SuperBuild?

SuperBuild is Shirts Across America’s (SAA) annual fundraiser that challenges trip volunteers to raise awareness in their communities about the ongoing recovery in New Orleans. This symbolic walk will help commemorate the 13 years that have passed since Hurricane Katrina impacted the Gulf Coast, as well as help support our building partners in New Orleans and contribute to the student volunteer scholarship fund.

SuperBuild began after our first trip to New Orleans in 2008 and originally supported our first building partner, SBP (formerly St. Bernard Project). We have since expanded SuperBuild to support our newest building partners, New Orleans Area Habitat For Humanity (NOAHH) and Youth Rebuilding New Orleans (YRNO). Proceeds from SuperBuild support our building partners in purchasing building materials for the homes SAA volunteers work on. Without our building partners, we would not be able to do the work that we do!

Event Details

The event consists of a walk around Green Lake in Seattle, WA (for Seattle-area schools), Capitol Lake/Marathon Park in Olympia, WA (for South Sound-area schools), or Los Gatos Creek County Park in Los Gatos, CA (for the Los Gatos Chapter). Trip volunteers are asked to walk the trails with members of their assigned school teams that they will travel with and work alongside in New Orleans.

California (Los Gatos Chapter)
When: Saturday, January 19 at 9 AM
Where: Los Gatos Creek County Park | Los Gatos, CA

Washington (South Sound-area Schools)
When: Saturday, February 2 at 9 AM
Where: Capitol Lake | Olympia, WA

Washington (Seattle-area Schools)
When: Saturday, February 2 at 1 PM
Where: Green Lake Park | Seattle, WA

How Can I Donate to SuperBuild?

Without generous donors like you, we could not continue the work that we do. To donate to SuperBuild or to your student volunteer, please click here. Then, click the “Fundraisers” tab to find your student’s personal fundraising page.

Student volunteers: Please click here and select the “Fundraisers” tab to find your personal SuperBuild page.

Kick Off Events are in full swing for Washington schools! Come to our Kick Off Events to learn more about the experiences we offer on our trips and how you can become a volunteer with Shirts Across America.

O’Dea Kick Off Event
General Information Night
Thursday, November 15th, 2018 – 7:00PM
@ O’Dea High School – Library
For More Information click here
Register here

Completed Kick Off Events

Roosevelt Kick Off Event
General Information Night
Monday, October 1st, 2018 – 7:30PM
@ Roosevelt High School – Theater

Bishop Blanchet Kick Off Event
General Information Night
Tuesday, October 2nd, 2018 – 7:00PM
@ Seattle Prep Theater

Holy Names Kick Off Event
General Information Night
Tuesday, October 2nd, 2018 – 7:00PM
@ Seattle Prep Theater

Seattle Prep Kick Off Event
General Information Night
Tuesday, October 2nd, 2018 – 7:00PM
@ Seattle Prep Theater

Eastside Catholic Kick Off Event
General Information Night
Monday, October 8th, 2018 – 7:30PM
@ Eastside Catholic School – Chapel

Bellarmine Prep Kick Off Event
General Information Night
Tuesday, October 9th, 2018 – 7:00PM
@ Bellarmine Prep – Campus Center

Olympia Kick Off Event
General Information Night
Wednesday, October 10th, 2018 – 7:00PM
@ Olympia High School – Lecture Hall

Sumner Kick Off Event
General Information Night
Thursday, October 25th, 2018 – 7:00PM
@ Sumner High School – 2A

Don’t miss your chance to volunteer this year!

2019 New Orleans Immersion Trip Schedule

Mid-Winter Break Trip
Saturday, February 16 – Saturday, February 23, 2019

Eastside Catholic High School volunteers click here
Los Gatos Chapter volunteers click here
Roosevelt High School volunteers click here

Spring Break Trip #1
Saturday, March 30 – Saturday, April 6, 2019

Bellarmine Preparatory School volunteers click here
Olympia High School volunteers click here

Spring Break Trip #2
Saturday, April 20 – Saturday, April 27, 2019

Bishop Blanchet High School volunteers click here
Holy Names Academy volunteers click here
Seattle Preparatory School volunteers click here

Summer Break Trip
Sunday, June 23 – Sunday, June 30, 2019

National League of Young Men volunteers click here
St. Joseph’s/The VOICE volunteers click here
Sumner High School volunteers click here
Partner School volunteers click here

Don’t miss your chance to volunteer this year!

2019 New Orleans High School Immersion Trip Schedule

2019 Mid Winter Break Trip
Los Gatos Chapter- CA
Eastside Catholic School – WA
Roosevelt High School – WA
Saturday, February 16 – Saturday, February 23, 2019

California Student and Adult Team Lead Applications will be available soon!