Despite geographical differences, a category three hurricane could have hit Mamaroneck, N.Y. on Aug. 29, 2005 just as easily as New Orleans, La.

It has been five years since the catastrophic event of Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans’ homeless population has doubled, schools and homes remain boarded up and thousands of residents suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. Despite generous donations, government relief efforts and humanitarian aid, the Lower Ninth Ward, a New Orleans neighborhood, still faces severe neglect.

However, the influx of young volunteers coming from all over the U.S. to rebuild and restore New Orleans has not diminished. During my time there with The Nola Tree, a non-profit organization that brings young volunteers to New Orleans, over spring break, I heard numerous residents say that the only reason they still have faith in their city is because of us, “the volunteers.”

The Nola Tree (thenolatree.org), which was started by Phil Bildner and Ana Galan in 2009, allows teenagers to connect with others to learn the inherent value of their efforts and the significance of a lifelong commitment to service. Those who participate in The Nola Tree’s programs learn that it is not the number of windows you repair or homes you rebuild that really matters, but the number of lives you touch. While I was able to come home and say that I learned how to use a nail gun and circular saw, I cared more about the man who taught me how to use the tools, Tommy Briggs, the construction coordinator of Operation Nehemiah who oversaw the construction and demolition that our group did at Saint Margret’s nursing home.

His Katrina story, which was just as horrific as the experiences of many other Katrina victims, was eye-opening. Having lost his wife and two daughters in the storm, Briggs was then forced to evacuate when policemen knocked his front door down and pointed guns at his head. In the end, the only thing that stopped him from killing himself was his dog and God. Staring into his eyes, I was in emotional shock. Briggs’s ability to move forward with his life and help teenagers help his city is quite admirable.

We also met Brennan Dougherty at Our School at Blair Grocery, where youth from troubled households find a safe haven in the Lower Ninth Ward. While Dougherty explained the mission of Our School at Blair Grocery, little kids rode up to the entrance on their bikes. First, a little boy named Albert came to the fence and asked Dougherty why he couldn’t come in. She reiterated to us that the school was closed for a week because someone stole $80 from her and she knew who it was. However, she couldn’t approach the “thief” because his uncle had been murdered three days prior. The subject was indeed a touchy one.

While we fret about the grade on the next test and prom dresses, Brennan worries about retrieving money from a child whose uncle was murdered and whose parents are too poor to provide him with care. The frequency of violence, alcoholism and sex trafficking in the Lower Ninth is increased by the lack of educational options for most of the residents.

Listening to these stories and seeing abandoned streets taught me more about values than any book or article could ever teach me. We all need to assist those who do not have the means to help themselves.