This week we’re partnering with Youth Rebuilding New Orleans to install 5 benches along the middle ground of St. Roch Avenue.

Seattle Academy (SAAS) volunteers braved the Louisiana heat (with our notorious humidity) and the rain this week to beautify St. Roch neighborhood. For roughly 15 years, SAAS faculty and staff have brought groups of students to New Orleans to live, explore, and work as a two-week service learning trip. 18 high school students and 4 faculty members are staying at the bunk house of Youth Rebuilding New Orleans while helping in different local projects and learning about New Orleans through service.

As part of their current visit, the youth are helping digging holes and filling them with concrete to build foundations for five new benches in the neighborhood. Thanks to their hard work, the installation of the new benches is expected to be completed by the end of the week.

St. Roch Avenue Revitalization

The St. Roch Avenue Revitalization Project is a project The Incubator is proud to have initiated. In 2024 The NOLA Artist Incubator facilitated the St. Roch Avenue beautification project in which a local metalworker was employed to fabricate and install a neighborhood sign for St. Roch.

The organization planted a native plants garden in the second phase of the project for the community. With the intention of beautifying six blocks of the avenue in District D, we are thrilled to be installing these beautiful new seating areas to St. Roch Avenue.

Executive Director, Lissie Stewart, was quick to join in on the fun and eager to help when it was time to get the work done. Arriving with refreshing fruit from the garden to share with volunteers, she helped to dig the most difficult hole on Tuesday. As it turned out, the spot for the new bench, replacing the previous bench that highlighting the neighborhood sign, was located on highly compacted soil. Historically, builders used thousands of crushed oyster shells and river silt to fill in the low-lying swamps for housing. Digging in these areas meant battling packed rocks, shells, and other materials to make a dent. It finally took to taking turns with a pick axe to get the job done.

After countless trips to Lowe’s for more concrete and despite the rain, we finally laid all the foundations for our new benches. We are so thankful for all of the help from Youth Rebuilding New Orleans volunteers. Stay tuned to see the end result!

To learn more about the SAAS service learning trip, follow them on Instagram @saas.nola