The whole reason for this trip was to perform service for an agency that needed our assistance.  In deciding where to go and what to do, we wanted to work at a program with children, but we also wanted to do some manual labor in our service.   Luckily, the Milne Boys Home in New Orleans had both types of needs.  The Home was established in 1933 as a residential facility for troubled and needy boys.  It was  and remain a joint program between the City of New Orleans and a private foundation, the Milne Trust.  Founded as a biracial segregated facility, the grounds have two of everything, and the main building has north and south wings that are identical.  In 1986, due to various problems (including pressure from the surrounding neighborhood), the residential component of the Home was ended, and the Home converted to afterschool, summer and other community programs for boys (the establishment of the Milne Trust stipulates that the facility is to be run for boys).

Currently, the primary program during the school year is the Louis Armstrong Manhood Development Program, named in honor of Louis Armstrong, who grew up in various New Orleans homes for boys and was a close friend of the Milne Boys Home.  The program, serving boys from ages 8-16, combines nutrition programs, academic tutoring and homework, cultural and historical awareness, and recreation.   The boys come to the Home at 4:00 and eat dinner.  Next they engage in discussion, and then either go to cultural programs, arts and crafts, or homework room.   After homework, students have a recreation period.  There are about 100 boys involved in the program, and mor ethan half are from foster homes.

The most unique part of this program is the approach the staff takes to educating the boys.  The approach is Afrocentric, and emphasizes strict discipline.  The basic explanation is that in order for the boys to understand what their role is in society, they need to feel connected to a positive identity.  Sadly, in the United States, the identity of African American men is often tied to negative traits.  Therefore, focusing on the heritage of African men helps the boys to understand the value and richness of their ethnic heritage, and prepares them to succeeed in a society that is often hostile toward them.  Discpline is seen as an important way to teach students correct from incorrect behavior, and to teach about the need to be personally responsible for one's actions.

Click here to see some pictures of our service experience at the Milne Boys Home