New Orleans, Louisiana
Mission Trips

New Orleans is a city utterly unique, a vibrant blend of French, Spanish, African, and Caribbean influences that have shaped its distinctive culture over centuries. This rich heritage is evident everywhere, from the iron-laced balconies of the French Quarter to the lively sounds of brass bands echoing through its streets. It's a place where history isn't just preserved in museums; it's a living, breathing part of daily life, particularly visible in its architecture, dialects, and the exuberant spirit of its festivals like Mardi Gras.

The city is intimately tied to the mighty Mississippi River and its vast delta. This expansive delta region, a network of bayous, wetlands, and marshes, is not merely a geographic feature but a cultural melting pot where unique ways of life have flourished for generations. The people of the delta, including Native American communities, Cajun communities, and those of Creole descent, have forged a deep connection with this environment, their livelihoods and traditions intricately linked to its waterways and natural resources. This profound relationship with the delta adds another layer to the rich cultural atmosphere of the New Orleans area.

The soul of New Orleans truly comes alive through its unparalleled music and culinary scenes. Widely recognized as the birthplace of jazz, the city continues to be a global mecca for music lovers, with live performances spilling from clubs onto the sidewalks day and night. The food is equally iconic, a delicious fusion of Creole and Cajun traditions. 

But beyond the festivities and food, New Orleans is a testament to incredible resilience. Having faced numerous challenges throughout its history, the city and its communities have consistently demonstrated an extraordinary capacity to rebuild and reinvent. This persistence, often rooted in strong local connections and faith, allows New Orleans to embrace its past while constantly striving for a brighter future, making it an exciting place both for cultural immersion and for engaging in opportunities to contribute to its ongoing revitalization.

Climate: New Orleans has a humid subtropical climate, characterized by long, hot, and often muggy summers. Temperatures in June and July frequently average in the low 90s Fahrenheit, with high humidity making the heat index even higher, making hydration crucial during the summer months. Winters are generally mild and brief, with average daily temperatures in January around the mid-50s Fahrenheit and very rare snowfall. The city receives a significant amount of rainfall throughout the year, with summer months often seeing daily afternoon thunderstorms

Language: English is by far  the primary language spoken throughout the New Orleans metro, but there are also significant portions of the population that speak Louisiana Creole, Cajun Creole, Spanish, and more.

Safety: The New Orleans area is generally safe, and your PPM staff and host partners value your team's safety and security as a top priority. They will guide your team and ensure that proper awareness and precautions are maintained throughout your week of service.

New Orleans' economy is strongly influenced by its strategic position on the Mississippi River and its access to the Gulf of Mexico. The Port of New Orleans is a major economic driver, facilitating extensive international trade and serving as a key gateway for goods moving across the U.S.

Tourism and hospitality are also vital, drawing millions to the city each year for its unique culture, music, and world-renowned cuisine. Additionally, New Orleans is actively diversifying, with a growing presence in the healthcare and biosciences sectors, leveraging its universities and medical facilities to foster research and innovation.

However, despite these economic strengths, the city faces challenges. New Orleans has a poverty rate of approximately 23%, higher than the national average. These disparities are often more pronounced within communities of color. Furthermore, in the broader Mississippi River Delta region, communities often grapple with even higher rates of poverty and limited access to resources, stemming from historical economic disenfranchisement and environmental challenges that impact livelihoods tied to the delta's fragile ecosystem.

New Orleans is a global culinary capital, famous for its unique Creole and Cajun flavors that tell the story of its diverse heritage. Visitors flock to enjoy the experience of peel-and-eat crawfish and iconic dishes like gumbo, jambalaya, and the legendary po'boy sandwiches, often "dressed" with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and mayonnaise. Many visitors love to visit the historic Café Du Monde for beignets dusted with powdered sugar. The food scene here isn't just about eating; it's a cultural experience, with every bite reflecting centuries of blending traditions.

Additionally, New Orleans offers an endless array of "fun." Music, especially jazz, is everywhere, all around you. The city also hosts countless festivals throughout the year, celebrating everything from jazz and blues to various foods, ensuring there's always something lively happening in the Crescent City. Also, in the heart of Jackson Square, is St. Louis Cathedral, which attracts tourists from across the globe as the oldest, still-functioning cathedral in the US.

History: The origins of New Orleans are deeply intertwined with the strategic importance of the Mississippi River. In 1718, French colonists, led by Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, founded La Nouvelle-Orléans on a crescent bend of the river, recognizing its prime location for controlling trade and access to the interior land. This spot, situated on relatively high ground in the extensive Mississippi River Delta region, became a crucial port despite the challenges of building in a swampy environment. The surrounding delta, a unique landscape of bayous and wetlands, was already home to various native communities who had long adapted to its rhythms and relied on its rich resources.

Through the 18th century, New Orleans transitioned between French and Spanish control before becoming part of the United States through the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Its status as a major port and cultural crossroads continued to grow, attracting diverse populations from Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean, all contributing to the city's unique identity. However, its low-lying position within the delta has always made it vulnerable to the powerful forces of nature, particularly hurricanes. The city has a long history of battling floods, leading to the development of extensive levee systems aimed at protecting its population and infrastructure.

More recently, New Orleans has faced immense challenges from hurricanes, which have tested its resilience. Hurricane Katrina in 2005, a devastating Category 3 storm, caused widespread destruction and catastrophic flooding due to significant levee failures, submerging approximately 80% of the city. This event led to massive displacement and a prolonged recovery effort, profoundly impacting the city's population and infrastructure. More recently, Hurricane Ida in 2021, a powerful Category 4 storm, also brought immense winds and storm surge to the region, though the post-Katrina levee system largely held up in New Orleans itself, mitigating some of the direct flooding seen previously. 

Through its vibrant culture and a history marked by both triumphs and natural disasters, New Orleans stands as a testament to resilience and the enduring spirit of its people.

Religion: Introduced by French and Spanish settlers, Christianity is historically and culturally the prominent religion. The area specifically has deep Catholic roots, with St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square being the country’s longest-functioning cathedral in the country. Additionally, some in the area practice voodoo, which blends West African traditions and Catholic practices.