Biloxi, MS - March 2019

Travel Dates: Saturday, March 16 to Saturday, March 23

(Five spaces are available on this trip)

Livingston CARES has been sending service trips to Biloxi, MS since January 2006 in response to the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. A ten-year commitment to service was completed in 2016, but Livingston CARES continues to send groups to the area to focus on issues related to poverty and homelessness. Volunteers can expect to learn about the culture of the South and be exposed to a new way of living while gaining some foundational knowledge about poverty and the effect on individual human lives. During the week, volunteers experience a range of service projects including serving food at a food kitchen, helping families select food from the food pantry, greeting guests and providing services for the homeless such as showers and conversation, and assisting in rebuilding homes including painting and installing siding.

All volunteers stay at and work with Back Bay Mission. Back Bay provides bunk room housing for volunteers with access to a full kitchen, bathrooms, showers, and a common area for games and activities. Back Bay has served the marginalized and poor on the Gulf Coast in Mississippi since 1922 and continues to give to the people of Biloxi. Their mission is to "meet the urgent needs of those suffering from poverty and its effects while building pathways to social justice. We lead the way in delivering services, creating collaborative solutions, and transforming lives through mission immersion experiences." Learn more at thebackbaymission.org.

How to Register for This Trip

Livingston CARES trips are filled on a first come, first served basis. Six spaces are available to students for this service trip. Volunteers will fly from either Rochester or Buffalo on Saturday, March 16 and travel to New Orleans and then to Biloxi by van to Back Bay Mission for accommodations and service work. The volunteers will arrive back in either Rochester or Buffalo on Saturday, March 23. The fee for this trip is $650.00.  Airfare, transportation in Biloxi, housing, meals, insurance, training and t-shirts are included in the trip fee. Transportation to and from the airport in either Rochester or Buffalo, food on travel days and incidentals are not included in the trip fee. 

If you  have any questions about registration, contact Tom Matthews (585-245-5857) or Garth Freeman (585-245-5893) in MacVittie Union 353 or email freemang@geneseo.edu. 

Required Forms

Registration for all 11 service trips opened on Monday, October 1, 2018. The Link to the required registration forms is posted on this website on the Service Trips page. 

Trip Fee and Payment 

The total fee for this trip is $650.00. In order to secure a space individuals must complete all registration forms and submit a $100 deposit ($50.00 is non-refundable). You will see that the waiver fee must be notarized. Beth Standish, the Secretary in the Center for Community (Union 353), can notarize your waiver form. When we receive your completed forms and $100 deposit you will be registered for your trip.

We encourage individuals to pay the $100 deposit using a credit or debit card (in person in the Center for Community), with cash, or by check made payable to Livingston CARES when you come in to have your waiver form notarized. The balance of the fee will be due on or before January 23, 2019 and must be paid in person with cash, a credit card, or check (made out to "Livingston CARES") at the Center for Community - MacVittie College Union 353.