Hollygrove Livable Communities Meeting

On February 1st there was a Hollygrove Livable Communities' Meeting hosted at the local Farmer's Market on Olive St. Attendants of the meeting included concerned local community members and a representative from City Hall. The main speaker of the meeting was architectural designer Kevin Fergueson from Capital Projects. Mr. Fergueson came to give an update on the plans for the replacement of the Hollygrove Senior Center. He was able to show the floor plans of the Senior Center which included suggestions people had to offer from previous meetings. The floor plans of the Senior Center included the following:
-a covered entrance with a ramp
-21 parking spots
-doctor's office
-social security office
-exercise room
-lounge
-kitchen
-performance studio
-arts and crafts area
-tax aid/consulting area
-covered tables and sitting outside
-computer library
Afterwards a 3-dimensional image was shown of what each side of the building would look like. Although the design is not yet set in stone it was a good depiction of the buildings outcome. The current estimated cost of this project is $2.2 million. If everything goes according to plan then demolition of the site and construction will begin in August. The expected length of construction is estimated to last one year. A 3-dimensional tour of the building was said to be available at the next meeting.

Mayor Landrieu Reveals 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness

Already with one of the nation’s biggest population of the homeless, New Orleans officials, as well as Federal representatives have been putting in extra time to commit to a plan to end to the numbers of homeless people in the city. Mayor Mitch Landrieu revealed a 10 year plan to work with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on Monday in an effort to put an end to the heavy amount homeless issues that have stricken the city since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Recent estimations of New Orleans population of homelessness pointed towards 6,500 people living on the streets. The 10 year plan is set to include more construction on housing, as well as a center built within the Veterans Affairs Department hospital in downtown. The picture of homelessness is said to become even more visible with the recent Occupy demonstrations near City Hall, where many of the homeless have come together with the regular protesters.

The plan will aim to use the Veterans Affairs Department hospital as a public center where those who are in need of employment and housing can receive help. The original veterans’ hospital was damaged in Hurricane Katrina, but an upgraded facility is expected to open in 2013. The construction and coordination of New Orleans apartments and homes for the homeless is expected in the long term. City representatives are planning on working with development organizations in an effort to have over 2,000 beds for the homeless, as well as over 500 beds for families in need.

Another of the primary objectives of the plan will be establishing a group of experts to deal solely with the issue of homelessness. This group will be named the New Orleans Interagency Council on Homelessness and they will be fitted with the responsibility of being in charge of the entire 10 year plan. Mayor Landrieu believes that the city government will look to money that is already there for targeted use in an effort to support the plan.

Since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the city of New Orleans has struggled with homelessness of course, but also with unemployment and poverty. The city has worked to provide housing for about 2,000 people since Katrina in 2005, but this new plan should allow for a larger target for services.

Another of the main goals of the approach will be to not only allow aid for those who are already homeless, but also those who are at risk of becoming homeless in the near future. With one of the largest populations of homeless people in the entire nation, the public-private plan to help end homelessness over the next decade should be welcomed as it will likely maximize resources in ways that they haven’t been used to combat homelessness before.

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

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program accepting applications

Interested small business owners must apply by Thursday, September 8

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses is currently accepting applications from the greater New Orleans area to enroll in the program. 10,000 Small Businesses is designed to help local small business owners create jobs and economic opportunity by providing them with greater access to business education, financial capital, and business support services. Small business owners accepted into the program will study accounting, human resources, negotiation, and marketing. Accepted applicants will also participate in one-on-one business advising sessions, accounting workshops, and pro bono legal clinics. Applications for eligible small business owners will be accepted by Delgado Community College until Thursday, September 8. Business owners eligible to apply for the program are required to have been in business for two years or more, have at least four employees, a revenue stream of $150,000 to $4 million per year, and a business that is poised for growth. Small business owners interested in applying to the business and management education program can contact Delgado Community College at 504.671.5000 or click here for more information. Small business owners interested in applying for capital can contact Hope Enterprise Corporation at 10KSB@hope-ec.org or click here for more information. Goldman Sachs is also seeking candidates for the 10,000 Small Businesses Program Executive Director at Delgado Community College. Interested individuals should click here to review duties and qualifications or to apply via WorkNOLA.com. To learn more about Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses in the greater New Orleans area you can view a short video that features stories of New Orleans business owners who have graduated from the program.

Enter to win the Crimestoppers Night Out Against Crime Contest!

Is your group planning a party or another event for Night Out Against Crime on Oct. 11? Then Crimestoppers wants to promote YOUR good work in the Party and Stop Crime Contest!

Enter to win our Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans Night Out Against Crime Contest!

Neighborhood groups, civic associations and other organizations in our eight-parish service area are eligible to enter their Night Out event to hold the title of “Crimestoppers #1 Party to Stop Crime.”

Your group will win refreshments, (up to $200 or $400 depending on event size), for your Night Out Party, a visit at your event from the Crimestoppers Party Van, “Party and Stop Crime,” T-shirts, plus other Crimestoppers prizes, including VIP local and federal law enforcement, Crimestoppers and media attendees!

Crimestoppers is looking for a few standout parties to support to help combat crime in our communities and make our neighborhoods safer, so enter the contest today!

*The deadline to enter is Sept. 5.

*Download the contest flyer at the website: www.crimestoppersgno.org.

*Complete contest details can be found on the main Crimestoppers Facebook Page and “Like” it at www.facebook.com/CrimestoppersGNO.

*To stay up-to-date on the contest and other Crimestoppers news and tips, you can also follow on Twitter @CrimestopperGNO.

If you have questions or would like more information, please contact the Crimestoppers Office at 504-837-8477. Crimestoppers of GNO works in partnership with law enforcement, the media and the community.

Crimestoppers GNO supports National Night Out Against Crime.