WalkAbout

The Gulf Coast WalkAbout program was created by the National Youth Leadership Council (NYLC) in partnership with State Farm. This service-learning based program empowers youth to make a difference in their communities still reeling from hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

“WalkAbout has helped transform young people from hurricane victims into community leaders,” said Joni Ladew, a Public Affairs Specialist passionately involved in the WalkAbout. “This program has had such a positive impact on the students, teachers, and their communities. We are proud to be a part of this rebuilding effort and extend the WalkAbout to a year-long program.”

The 300-plus participants of the summer program, which was implemented year-round in the fall, are between fifth and eighth grades. Along with teachers, site coordinators, college volunteers, and other adults, they addressed disaster preparedness, community rebuilding and refurbishment, and habitat restoration.