News from Around the Neighborhoods - Gentilly welcomes New Community Center with Festival of Hope

Residents from across Gentilly celebrated the new Gentilly Community Center of Hope this past Saturday, Nov. 12 with the 1st Annual Festival of Hope. The Festival featured music by the Treme Brass Band, food from the Ju-Ju Bag Restaurant and others, as well as pumpkin painting and an inflatable jump castle for kids, art exhibits, the NOFD Fire Truck and a mobile Health Unit. Located at 2747 Robert E. Lee Boulevard, the Gentilly Community Center of Hope's mission is to provide a community center that has activities for people of all ages in the Gentilly area. The facility has a computer center, an indoor gym, outdoor fields for sports, and indoor meeting space for various organizations. Visit the new Gentilly Community Center of Hope's website for more information. http://gcchno.org

This weekend's festival was put on by the Gentilly Civic Improvement Association (www.gcia.us) and Hope United Church.

How you can help or get involved!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

The Center is looking for volunteers to work with seniors - leading exercises, arts and crafts activities; to work with young people on computers; and for other programming.

Potential volunteers contact: Pastor Nichols - donald_nchls@yahoo.com, 504.453.7450

Join the Community Center of Hope SEWING CIRCLE

Do you like to sew, knit, crochet or do crafts? Join the group that meets at the Gentilly Community Center of Hope, Tuesdays from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm. ($3.00 suggested donation to the Center). Join a community of sewers, knitters, crochet and craft enthusiasts of all experience levels.

Contact info@sewsweetgentilly.com or call 504-376-5211 for additional information

Gentilly is a diverse community of 22 neighborhoods that collectively seek to strengthen our bonds with each other and our City - New Orleans, LA.

Photos left to right: Treme Brass Band Performs at the 1st Annual Gentilly Festival of Hope; musician Irvin Mayfield and others pose for a photo inside the gym and community center; children paint pumpkins on the lawn of the new Gentilly Community Center of Hope