A New Orleanian Mishap

That time I accidentally helped the fortunate become more fortunate

Photo by Josh Doguet on Unsplash

In 2015, I signed up for a volunteer program in New Orleans. I was to live in the heart of the lower 9th ward, one of the areas most severely battered by Hurricane Katrina a decade prior. As I put my name on the list, there was a certain image I had in mind of the weeks ahead.

I pictured myself in worker’s clothes, with a …