Founded NOLA Ready Volunteer Corps: June 2020
In June 2020 my position at the City of New Orleans was created, which sparked the founding of the NOLA Ready Volunteer Corps. The program was designed to support first responders, community partners, and New Orleans residents in disaster response and recovery efforts, while also building a culture of preparedness and resilience.
Disaster Volunteer Video
After the record breaking 2020 hurricane season and before COVID-19 vaccine rollout, we developed this video. It was part of a multi-pronged approach to volunteer recruitment. Within one year, I grew the program to 4,000+ volunteers and supervised them in their completion of 16,000+ hours of volunteer work.
Video by Crista Rock
COVID-19 Mass Vaccination Site
In addition to staffing neighborhood COVID-19 vaccine sites, hundreds of our volunteers supported the New Orleans mass vaccination site. My work involved recruiting, training, coordinating, and supervising their efforts, as well as liaising with the hospital that ran the site.
Video by Crista Rock
Development of Volunteer Corps Policy
Developed a mission statement, goals, and policy for the disaster volunteer program. Outlined how the program would engage with interagency partners.
Highlights from 2021
This report showcases work that was completed in 2021, which focuses on COVID-19 vaccine rollout and Hurricane Ida response. This work discussed was completed by three full-time NOLA Ready staff members.
In the report, I oversaw volunteer efforts for COVID-19 vaccine rollout from Jan-Sep, and public engagement & communications for Hurricane Ida response from Sep-Dec.
Sample Preparedness Materials
A portion of the responsibilities of the NOLA Ready Director include creating collateral, as part of the NOLA Ready preparedness campaign. This wall calendar is designed to showcase the work of local organizations in New Orleans, while also sharing preparedness tips for each month.
Illustrations by John Clark IV
Shalini A. Persaud 