St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church

FAQ's

What is the schedule? Click here for a sample of what a typical schedule might look like.

Where do volunteers stay? Volunteers are housed at the Brent House Hotel, just minutes from the Pensiontown neighborhood. For more information, visit www.brenthouse.com.

What kind of work may volunteers expect to do? There is a place for everyone on the RHINO jobsite, whether you have no prior construction experience or are a contractor by trade. It is difficult to project exactly what we will be doing when your group is scheduled to work with RHINO. Since we partner with Habitat for Humanity to build new homes, you should be prepared to take part in anything from framing a house to finishing a “punch list”.

How much does a week with RHINO cost? RHINO charges a flat fee of $250 per volunteer. This covers many expenses including administrative costs, food, housing, t-shirts, etc. The 2012 increased rate is due to a Habitat for Humanity fee of $25/person. Note: The fee applies to all volunteers, including those who stay only 5 days. It also applies to clergy.

What should volunteers pack? Please see our “What to Bring” List.

Are meals provided? Yes. RHINO provides 3 dinners [2 at the church prepared by our (world-renowned) RHINO chefs, and 1 at the home of a church member] and 4 lunches. Breakfast is on your own. The Brent House has 2 well-priced cafeterias. Your hotel room also has a microwave and refrigerator (but no coffee pot), so you could have breakfast in your room if you are a simple eater.

How old is too old? (How young is too young?) RHINO welcomes volunteers of all ages as long as they have humble spirits and willing and able bodies. If you have specific health concerns, please speak with your doctor prior to making a reservation. For insurance purposes, we cannot accept volunteers under the age of 16.

Does RHINO provide transportation? No, but you will need it. If you fly down, please make arrangements to rent a vehicle. New Orleans has decent public transportation, but it does not support the schedule you will keep during your week with RHINO.

Will there be any free time? Of course! This is New Orleans, after all. Volunteers are free to explore the city anytime they are not expected to be doing something with RHINO. Please be sure to exercise due caution while experiencing the sights and sounds of our great city, and never go alone.

May volunteers take a city tour? Yes, and we highly recommend it, even for returning volunteers. RHINO schedules group tours led by church members as part of your week. The church member will ride with you in your vehicle and tell you about New Orleans’ challenges as well as its history and its place in the world.

Is New Orleans safe? Yes, but New Orleans is like any other large city in that safety is not something to be taken for granted. At RHINO, we go out of our way to ensure that you have a fun and productive visit to our city. When you are out and about in the city during your free time, we ask that you keep your wits about you and follow Jesus’ command to travel in pairs.

Will we meet the people who will live in the homes we help build? Homeowners with Habitat New Orleans must put in 350 hours of “sweat equity” in place of a down payment on their homes, but RHINO cannot guarantee that you will be able to work with a homeowner.

Would it be possible for us to worship with the St. Charles Ave. Presbyterian congregation? We hope you will be able to worship with us on Sunday. Service times are 8:30am and 10:30am CST.

What are the limits for group size? No group is too small. We welcome individuals or small groups. We do, however, like to cap our group sizes at 30. Some higher seasons, we will have over 30. When we exceed this number, our staff will continue to provide you with the quality experience that characterizes RHINO.

How do I sign-up? E-mail RHINO Program Manager Avery Strada to reserve a week.