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December 30th 2008 Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center
Hurry! The Fit For a King '09 Advocates Training is filling up fast!
Don’t miss out! Spots are running out for our Fit For a King ’09 Advocates Training on Wednesday, January 14th from 9 AM – 4 PM at UNO’s Lindy Boggs Conference Center.
If you work with a non-profit organization or community group, you don’t want to miss this opportunity! In the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the training will feature workshops for advocates on:
* envisioning whole communities, * framing your message, * harnessing the media, and * using the law in your advocacy workMorning sessions will focus on skill-building and afternoon sessions will focus on specific case studies. Dr. Melissa Harris-Lacewell of Princeton University will give the keynote address on community organizing.
Registration is only $40! Register NOW @ http://www.fitforaking.org
PS if you work with a neighborhood association ask how you can receive a scholarship to the Advocates Training! Email
December 18th 2008 Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center
GNOFHAC Seeks Repeal of St. Bernard Parish Multi-Family Housing Moratorium
The Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center (GNOFHAC) filed a motion today seeking enforcement of a Consent Order entered on February 27, 2008, in Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center v. St. Bernard Parish et al, Case No. 06-7185, United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana. GNOFHAC’s motion alleges that St. Bernard Parish’s recently enacted moratorium on multi-family housing violates the Consent Order, which enjoins the Parish from violating the Fair Housing Act and other civil rights laws that prohibit race discrimination.
Read the whole press release and get more info at http://www.gnofairhousing.org/news.html
December 18th 2008
Mid-City and the New Years' Eve Bonfire
The City of New Orleans is taking steps to prevent the New Year’s Eve Bonfire (typically in the 4200 Block of Orleans Avenue), due to the risk to public safety and violation of a number of City codes. An informational session will be jointly hosted by NOPD, NOFD, and Parks & Parkways on Monday December 22, 2008 at 6:30pm, at Grace Episcopal Church, 3700 Canal Street. The purpose of the session is to proactively inform residents and business owners about the City’s enforcement plans for the night of the event.
The Mid-City Neighborhood Organization has responded to these plans by writing in their blog, “MCNO has questioned whether an engineered bonfire could receive a permit, and was told that City Code prevents any permit from being issued for an open burn on this neutral ground because of the proximity to homes. MCNO also questioned whether any permits for a block party, without a fire, might be issued. This is a possibility, should the organizers of the NYE event wish to pursue it through the normal permitting channels. Attached is a flyer for the Informational Session. Please distribute this information to your Mid-City friends and neighbors. Also note that NOFD representatives will be distributing these flyers door-to-door for a 2-3 block radius around the event site starting tomorrow.”
December 17th 2008
C. Ray Nagin 2009 Budget Response and Executive Order
Mayor C. Ray Nagin’s 2009 Budget Response and Executive Order CRN 08-08
Q/A Sheet
Q: What actions did Mayor Nagin take in response to the New Orleans City Council 2009 budget ordinances?
Ordinance No. 23,334 M.C.S., Calendar Ordinance No. 27,227 gives the Mayor of the City of New Orleans the authority to disapprove (veto) and/or reduce appropriations. To that end, Mayor Nagin vetoed all proposals that appropriated new or additional funds to third party agencies. For example:
· Indigent Defender Board appropriation of $1,700,000. (Mayor Nagin is proposing an alternative source of financing)
· Recovery School District appropriation of $379,391
· Office of the District Attorney, an additional appropriation to replace funding from a Federal grant of $1,200,000 was reduced to $600,000.
· Juvenile Court for appropriation of $97,000 for Law Clerk salaries
· Crime Stoppers appropriation of $25,000
· LSU Cooperative Extension Service appropriation of $100,000
As Mayor Nagin noted in his veto message, many of these entities are very worthy of receiving additional funding; however, the priority must be funding essential City services. In addition, the Mayor vetoed an additional appropriation of $200,000 to the New Orleans Recreation Department (NORD) for an Aquatics program.
Q: Did the Mayor’s veto message cut sanitation services in the French Quarter?
No, sanitation services were not cut in the French Quarter. The Vieux Carre and portions of the downtown area received “twice a day, 365 days a year” garbage collection services and enhanced services that included mechanical and manual street sweeping, street flushing, and power washing. Mayor Nagin reduced all sanitation services citywide to sanitation garbage collection services only. Therefore, garbage twice-a-day collection will be maintained in the Vieux Carre and the enhanced street sweeping and power washing services will be cut for the 2009 budget year.
Q: Some local news reports have stated that Mayor Nagin cut half of the budget for the Office of the District Attorney?
The City of New Orleans appropriation to the Office of the District Attorney, of $3.6 million was apart of Mayor Nagin’s original budget proposal on November 1st, and was not cut. This appropriation is more than the city’s pre-Katrina funding to this critical public service agency. However, the City Council proposed an additional $1.2million to cover the funding from an expired Federal grant.
The Mayor’s budget response reduced City Council’s additional appropriation of $1.2million to 600,000k to replace the Federal grant funds. The Mayor said he would assist the DA in lobbying for the expired grant funds with other entities. The other entities that provide funding to the Office of the District Attorney are:
2008 Funds Projected 2009City of New Orleans General Fund: $3,616,131 $3,616,131
State of Louisiana ADA Warrants: $3,527,506 $3,527,506
State of Louisiana Child Supp. Allocation: $2,485,972 $2,485,972
State of LA Vict. Asstance Cord. Warrant: $137,000 $137,000
Court Costs and Fees: $687,918 $687,918
Federal Grants: $764,914 $764,914
Infrastructure Grant: $736,895
FEMA Rental Reimbursement: $294,924
Q: Were street lights appropriations vetoed?
No, street light appropriations were not disapproved/vetoed. Mayor Nagin is in agreement with the City Council’s desire to repair street lights; however, the appropriation made by Council from the traditional CDBG funds is inappropriate. Therefore, Mayor Nagin, using his authority, has directed the Office of Recovery Development Administration (ORDA) and the Department of Public Works to address this issue by utilizing the appropriate funding source.
Note: As a result of Hurricane Katrina, 9,500 street lights were damaged and/or destroyed. To date, 9,250 street lights have been repaired. The approximately 250 remaining street lights to be repaired does not include those street lights that are apart of the streetscape repair/restoration process (CDBG funding projects that are in the process of community reviews). There are a total of 52,325 street lights in the city of New Orleans.
Q: Did Mayor Nagin veto appropriations that were placed in “reserve”?
No. A 2001 opinion by then City Attorney Mavis Early, states that there is no provision for appropriations to be placed in a “reserve” category not created by the Mayor.
Opinion Number 01-14, which was issued on November 29, 2001, points to the language of the Home Rule Charter that details the preparation of and establishes the procedure by which the budget shall be adopted. The opinion specifically addresses Section 6-102, which states, in part:
(5) The proposed ordinance for the operating budget shall provide lump sum appropriations under the following classes for each budget unit:
(a) Personal services of officers and employees.
(b) Other operating expenses.
© Debt service.
(d) Such other classes as the Mayor may annually establish.
The Charter further mandates an annual appropriation for all expenditures. The provision specifically provides as follows:
(4) The allotments herein provided may be altered at any time by the Chief Administrative Officer upon his own initiative or at the request of the head of an office, department or board and shall be altered at the direction of the Mayor. The Mayor shall direct appropriate revisions in allotments to keep expenditures within the revenues received or anticipated.
In addition, Section 3-115 addresses the Consideration and Adoption of the Annual Operating Budget Ordinance, in providing, in pertinent part, as follows:
(2) The Council, upon conclusion of the public hearings but not later than the first day of December, shall adopt the operating budget ordinance in the form submitted by the Mayor, but it may increase, decrease, or delete any item of appropriation recommended by the Mayor. Upon concurrence of two-thirds of its members, it may add new items of appropriation or subdivide items of appropriation, provided, however, that all appropriations for personal services shall be made only in lump amounts and not by specific portions or rates of pay, except as otherwise provided by applicable state law.
In summary, the Council has proposed amendments which would violate the intent of the Home Rule Charter. In order for the Council to appropriate to a class other than personal services, other operating expenses or debt services, a special class must be established for such purpose by the Mayor pursuant to Section 6-102(5)(d). Such a class has not been established and therefore, this action unenforceable. Further, by creating a “reserve” class these amendments would effectively create a surplus in the budget.
Q: How long will the hiring freeze be in effect? What will be the impact on public safety?
Executive Order CRN 08-08 instructs all departments in city government except public safety to remain at their current staffing levels and not hire any additional personnel, effective immediately. This order applies to public safety departments — EMS, NOPD, NOFD — at the end of the year.
Effective Dec. 31, 2008, there will be a hiring freeze capped at the level of positions filled for those departments and positions directly related to public safety (police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical service personnel) and revenue producing positions.
The Mayor’s Executive Order does not prohibit the hiring of personnel to replace positions that become vacant during the budget year. Again, all departments, including public safety, are to remain at their current levels, not reduce/cut staffing. Thus, the City will have a “hiring freeze” rather than a reduction in workforce.
The impact on service levels will be most evident in key departments that have been working to bring staffing closer to pre-Katrina levels. More than 3,000 city employees were laid off due to the negative impact of the storm.
For example, the New Orleans Police Department, which was anticipated to increase its forces to 1,700 officers this year, and the New Orleans Fire Department, will be able to maintain their current staffing levels only. The Department of Safety and Permits is another example. That department will be unable to fill 24 positions, including seven building and electrical inspectors.
Q: What else does Executive Order CRN 08-08 address?
Executive Order CRN 08-08 directs mandates a spending cut of at least 2.5 percent for all City of New Orleans departmental budgets, excluding public safety. Further, effective December 31, 2008, there will be a review of departmental budgets and recapture of unspent departmental allocations, such as encumbrances and/or outstanding unspent obligations. These funds will be added to the overall savings for the city.
Q: Why are budget cuts and “freezes” necessary when it has been reported that the City of New Orleans has a $1 billion budget?
The General Fund, or operating budget of the City of New Orleans, is approximately $485 million. This operating budget funds all city operations – staffing, utilities, fuel, supplies, etc. The remaining of the funds that make up the $1.1 billion dollar is primarily federal funding, including grants, to support the city’s recovery initiatives.
Mayor Nagin’s budget alterations will reduce the city’s expenditures by $18 million in 2009. The reductions, which will lead to reduced services, are necessary to fill a budget gap that began at $24 million and was reduced to $18 million when President Bush reduced the City’s match for Hurricane Gustav repairs from 25% to 10%. This budget gap results from a decision by the Council beginning in 2007 to add recurring costs without adding a correlating recurring source of revenue.
Council members acknowledged in a November 30, 2007 resolution that they had included new expenditures without adding appropriate recurring revenues and said that they would consider either reducing expenditures or rolling forward millage in 2008 “in order to continue to provide municipal services while adhering to the Administration’s five-year plan.”
Last month, Director of Finance Reginald Zeno sent a letter to the City Council in which he reiterated the importance of increased recurring revenue and outlined the cuts that would be likely if the Council failed to implement a revenue generating measure. Zeno also warned of another financial crisis anticipated for 2010.
Pension bonds the city obtained in 2000, under an earlier administration, have been unexpectedly called and the city may be required to repay the bonds over five years at an annual rate of $26 million beginning in 2010. At that time, Zeno said that the cumulative effect of the existing shortfall and the bond payments would total more than $44 million per year.
The Council instead used the final $10 million of the $240 million Community Disaster Loan, which would have been used in the 2010 budget under the five-year plan, to pay some increase expenditures this year. The council’a budget also eliminates the restoration of the reserve fund and could leave the city inadequately prepared for the next hurricane season or other emergencies. This also could greatly diminish the likelihood that the city could sell bonds needed for rebuilding projects and for other critical purposes.
Therefore, it is necessary to impose strict constraints on hiring and other expenditures for the year 2009.
The budget savings as a result of Mayor Nagin’s actions today are as follows:
2 ½ percent spending cut: $1 million
Hiring freeze: $8 million
Vetoed appropriations: $3 million
Sanitation service reduction: $4 million
Encumberance recapture: $2 million
Total: $18 million
December 16th 2008 Build Now
Build Now nears completion on first home, with 3 more underway
As construction on our first home at 2324 Gordon Street nears completion, we are hard at work on building 3 more homes: 5543 Press Drive, 3111 Law Street, and 3105 Law Street. We have several more projects scheduled to start early in 2009. For more information about how Build Now can work with you and your neighborhood, call Nikki Najiola at (504) 373-6962.
December 12th 2008
Mayor Nagin Announces Spending Cuts and Hiring Freeze
On Friday, December 12, Mayor Nagin announced major spending cuts and a hiring freeze for all departments that he attributes to a projected budget shortfall of $18 million in the coming year.
The 2.5% spending cut will affect all departments except police, fire, and EMS. Nagin also vetoed $1.7 million dollars the City Council had approved for the public defender’s office; $600,000 of the $1.2 million approved for the District Attorney’s office; $379,000 for Recovery School District after-school programs; and $100,000 for NORD.
Click here for the full 2009 budget announcement.
Nagin’s original proposed solution to this problem included a 10-mill increase in property taxes. The proposed millages would have added approximately $150/year for the owner of a $250,000 property. The council has rejected Nagin’s requests for millage increases on property taxes twice in two years; Nagin recently said he is “done” on seeking property tax increases.
City Council will hold a special meeting to discuss the vetoes on Wednesday, December 17. Councilwoman Cynthia Hedge Morrell claimed in the Times-Picayune that she is concerned “how these cuts will impact the delivery of services next year and beyond.” Councilwoman Shelley Midura said she is “inclined to support the veto” and that she is pleased that the mayor responded with “cuts in expenditure rather than a millage increase.”
December 3rd 2008 Neighborhoods Partnership Network
Education Advisory Task Force Meets to Plan Capacity College
The NPN Education Advisory Task Force, composed of neighborhood residents and nonprofit staff, had a successful meeting November 25th. Among the points of discussion were:
- What are the five overarching core classes for Capacity College?
- How do we make sure the workshops have a strong “takeaway” for neighborhood participants?
We are preparing to invite neighborhood leaders to apply for Neighborhood Educator Fellowships, a year-long leadership development program within Capacity College. Fellows will receive development training, prepare and teach a Capacity College workshop and meet with regional/national experts and leaders. If you are interested or would like to nominate someone who you think would be an excellent Fellow please email
December 2nd 2008 Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center
SAVE THE DATE! Fit For a King Celebration 2009
2 days • 2 awesome events!
Check it out at http://www.fitforaking.org
ADVOCATES TRAINING
Wednesday, January 14, 2009 • 9 AM – 4 PM
UNO’s Lindy Boggs Conference Center
Learn to advocate like a King with keynote speaker Melissa Harris-Lacewell, renowned professor of Politics and African American Studies at Princeton University. In the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the training will feature workshops for advocates on:
- envisioning whole communities,
- framing your message,
- harnessing the media, and
- using the law in your advocacy work
Morning sessions will focus on skill-building and afternoon sessions will focus on specific case studies.
The training will be held at the Lindy Boggs Conference Center at the University of New Orleans. Lunch will be served. Registration is required and costs $40.00. Register at http://www.fitforaking.org
———————-
COMMUNITY POWER DAY
Saturday, January 17, 2009 • 10 AM – 3 PM
Dillard University’s Cook Center
Come celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.‘s legacy at our community event at Dillard University’s Cook Center. We’ll screen 4 films about how neighborhoods across the nation are reclaiming control over their communities, followed by conversations about community power in New Orleans.
Fit for a King Community Power Day is free and open to the public. Great, local food will be available to purchase for lunch.
December 1st 2008
State Farm Company Grants Program
State Farm Company Grants
State Farm is committed to meeting the needs of our communities by focusing our giving in three areas: Safe Neighbors (safety), Strong Neighborhoods (community development), and Education Excellence (education). In addition, there’s limited funding available to meet community-based needs.
Grant requests for local initiatives are considered by State Farm field offices. Each office determines the types of grants (outlined below) it will fund, based on available funding.
Safe Neighbors (safety)
State Farm values the importance of keeping our neighbors safe. Our funding is directed to:
- Improving driver, vehicle, and roadway safety
- Shielding homes from fires, criminals, and natural disasters
- Supporting disaster preparedness programs and recovery services
- Enhancing personal financial security
Strong Neighborhoods (community development)
Communities are the foundation and lifeblood of society. The condition of available housing and services greatly affects the quality of life for residents and the stability of the community. State Farm is committed to helping maintain the vibrancy and culture of neighborhoods in various communities throughout the U.S. and Canada. We demonstrate this commitment by supporting nonprofit organizations’ programs that:
- Make housing affordable
- Promote first-time homeownership
- Eliminate barriers to homeownership
- Educate homebuyers about insurance, loss mitigation, and homeownership
- Foster sustainable communities
- Rehabilitate neighborhoods or communities
K-12 Public Schools
The following types of grants for K-12 Public Schools will be considered:
- Teacher excellence programs that improve teacher quality
- Service-Learning programs that integrate core classroom curriculum with service to the community
- Programs that incorporate the Systemic Improvement criteria into education systems to improve overall effectiveness
(More information about State Farm’s K-12 Service-Learning and Baldrige initiatives is located in Education Excellence.)
A State Farm field office may support grants for a designated college or university.
- Eligible organizations*
State Farm makes charitable contributions to nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations under Section 501©(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, Canadian charitable organizations, educational institutions, and governmental entities.
In general, grants are awarded for specific programs in the giving categories described above.
Restrictions
State Farm does not fund:
- Organizations that are not a governmental entity, a stable nonprofit 501©(3) organization with a diverse funding base, an educational institution, or a Canadian charitable organization
- Individuals seeking personal help or scholarships
- Religious programs
- Politically partisan programs
- Organizations outside the U.S. and Canada
Guidelines for requesting grants
State Farm uses the following criteria when reviewing requests for charitable contributions:
- Is the organization a governmental entity, an educational institution, a stable nonprofit 501©(3) organization with a diverse funding base, or a Canadian charitable organization?
- Does the program meet a community need that falls within our focus areas (Safe Neighbors/safety, Strong Neighborhoods/community development, or Education Excellence/education)?
- Does the program yield measurable results for participants?
- Does the program offer volunteer opportunities for State Farm associates?
How to request a grant
One proposal per organization per year will be considered if it meets the guidelines outlined. (This should include all of an organization’s needs for a 12-month period.) In addition, organizations need to provide the following supporting documents:
- Name, address, and telephone number of the organization
- Contact person and title
- Background information, including history and purpose of the organization
- A copy of the IRS exemption letter verifying 501©(3) tax-exempt status or sufficient documentation verifying a governmental entity or educational institution
- Detailed description of the program we are being asked to support, including the number of people it will reach+
- Most recent audited financial statement+
- Current operating budget and sources of income+
(+These questions do not apply if this request is for a school.)
In addition to the above, the proposal must address the following questions:
- What is the purpose and objective(s) of the program?
- Does the program meet a community need that falls within our focus areas (Safe Neighbors/safety, Strong Neighborhoods/community development, or Education Excellence/education)?
- How many participants will benefit from our contribution if we make one? (Please give an approximate number if necessary.)
- What is the amount of the request and what time period does it cover (e.g., six months or one year)?
- What is the total funding required for this project or program? Who are the other funding sources, including the amount they’ve contributed or committed?
- What specifically is State Farm being asked to support? Please submit an itemized budget.
- How will the program yield measurable results for participants? If the program is new, what does the organization plan to measure to determine these results? (These results will be needed to consider future funding.)
Grant requests must be submitted in writing on the requesting organization’s letterhead. Telephone and e-mail solicitations cannot be considered. Grant proposals can be submitted to the appropriate State Farm office nearest you, attention: Public Affairs, GNC Coordinator.
Proposals are accepted year-round and are reviewed in a timely manner. However, approval time depends on the requesting amount and completeness of the proposal.
The State Farm corporate office also provides funding for our Safe Neighborhoods, Strong Neighborhoods, and Education Excellence initiatives that are national in scope.
Questions?
For more information or questions, please contact the State Farm Good Neighbor Citizenship team at
December 1st 2008
The City of New Orleans to Hold Meetings to Discuss the Public Private Partnership Initiative
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 26, 2008
CONTACT:
JAMES D. ROSS, (504) 90609123
CEEON QUIETT, (504) 799-5246
The City of New Orleans to Hold Meetings to Discuss the Public Private Partnership Initiative
NEW ORLEANS, LA (November 26, 2008) — The City of New Orleans will host seven public meetings next week to discuss the planned public-private partnership for economic development.
The meetings will be held in each council district beginning Monday. Two meetings will be held in both District C and District E.
The initiative will be a partnership between city government and the local business community. All economic development functions will be consolidated under one umbrella and managed by the new partnership, which will be a non-profit corporation governed by a board of directors from the public and private sectors. The Public Private Partnership will work with City plans and priorities, and will be accountable for development goals. Mayor C. Ray Nagin has committed funding $2 million annually for the first three years of operations. Community meetings regarding the initiative begin Monday.
The public meeting schedule is as follows (weekday meetings 6pm-8pm):
December 1st : District B
Gallier Hall
545 St. Charles Ave
December 2nd : District D
UNO Lindy Boggs Center, Rm. 256
2045 Lakeshore Dr.
December 3rd : District C
St. Peter Claiver School Cafeteria
1020 N. Prieur St. (east)
December 4th : District C
Delgado Westbank Campus, Bldg. 1, Rm. 130
2600 General Meyer
December 5th : District E
Household of Faith
9300 I-10 Service Rd.
December 6th : District E (2 p.m.- 4 p.m.)
MLK Charter School Library
1617 Caffin Ave.
ENTER THROUGH LIBRARY ENTRANCE FACING CLAIBORNE.
December 6th : District A (10 a.m.- Noon)
Warren Easton H.S. Auditorium
3019 Canal St
Funding Breakdown
Year 1: $2.0 City/$400,000 Private Sector
Year 2: $2.0 City/ $600,000 Private Sector
Year 3: $2.0 City/$1.0M Private Sector
This initiative represents a great leap forward for the City of New Orleans and will be a cornerstone in recovery and ultimate revival of our city.
Rethink, Renew, Revive
City of New Orleans
Mayor’s Press Office
1300 Perdido Street, Suite 2E04
New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
504-658-4940
November 19th 2008 Build Now
Build Now breaks ground at 5543 Press Drive
Pilings went in at 5543 Press Drive today, Wednesday, November 19th. We are building a single-family, elevated home, for a Ponchartrain Park family. If you happen to find yourself in the area at any point over the next few months, swing by and check out our progress!
November 19th 2008
Fiskars' Project Orange Thumb to Support Garden Programs
Deadline: February 17, 2009
Fiskars’ Project Orange Thumb to Support Garden Programs
Launched in 2003, Fiskars’ Project Orange Thumb has awarded more than 100 community groups, schools, churches, and other organizations more than $300,000 in total grants for their garden programs.
This year, the program will award 20 grants within the United States and Canada. Each will receive up to $1,500 in Fiskars garden tools and up to $800 in gardening-related materials (i.e. green goods). Four grant recipients will also be awarded within Australia. Each of these recipients will receive up to $1,000 in Fiskars Tools and up to $1,000 in gardening-related materials.
Gardens and/or gardening projects geared toward community involvement, neighborhood beautification, sustainable agriculture, and/or horticultural education are eligible. Community garden groups, as well as schools, youth groups, community centers, camps, clubs, and treatment facilities are all encouraged to apply. Only group applications will be considered; single individuals are not eligible for a Project Orange Thumb grant.
For complete program information and application, visit the project’s Web site.
Contact:
Link to Complete RFP
November 12th 2008 Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center
Fair Housing and Civil Rights Groups File Federal Lawsuit in Post-Katrina Housing Discrimination Case
Local and national civil rights groups and five African-American homeowners in New Orleans are filing a class action lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA). The suit alleges that the LRA’s Road Home program discriminates against African-American homeowners in New Orleans.
Read more and download the press release, the complaint and the fact sheet at http://www.gnofairhousing.org/news.html
November 11th 2008 Neighborhoods Partnership Network
NPN's Timolynn Sams Named one of "50 Visionaries Who Are Changing Your World"
NPN’s Executive Director, Timolynn Sams, was recently named one of “50 Visionaries Who Are Changing Your World” by Utne Reader. Sams was featured in a section alongside Brahm Ahmadi, cofounder of People’s Grocery in West Oakload, California. Click here for the online version of the full article.
_________
GROWING THE GRASS ROOTS
The mendacious politician who belittles the role of community organizers should hoof it to People’s Grocery in West Oakland, California, where Brahm Ahmadi leads the crusade for food justice.
What started as a few people dissatisfied with their lack of access to fresh produce is now a model for how to integrate a sustainable local food system into an inner-city community. Ahmadi stresses the need to “build a set of choices first, and then enable individuals to make those choices for themselves.” He’ll soon take on a new role as CEO of the first community retail market when it rolls out over the next two years.
Elsewhere, another solution-oriented movement is making headway under the direction of native New Orleanian Timolynn Sams. After Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc on her city, Sams wrote to the Neighborhoods Partnership Network, asking to be involved with the organization through AmeriCorps. Instead, they put her in charge.
Once leaders truly empathize with citizens, they can leverage the people’s frustrations and make change, says Sams, who faces the same struggles with overcrowded schools and power outages as do the people she serves.
She describes New Orleans as a “laboratory for the entire country.” While the challenges of natural disasters and institutional bungling are universal, what makes Louisiana special is its citizenry’s uncanny resilience and generations of community ties, which have linked to form an unbreakable bond.
Sams knows there will always be another storm but remains upbeat about the soul of her city. As for the rest of the country? She admits to being “a little concerned.”
November 10th 2008
Master Plan Meeting Schedule
PLANNING DISTRICT MEETINGS
November 10-13, 2008
-Focus on planning and zoning issues that affect the neighborhoods in your district.
-Join your neighbors to set priorities for your future!
-Tell us what you think about zoning in your neighborhood!
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10
Planning District 3 (Uptown and Carrollton)
6:30-8:30 pm | Sophie B. Wright Charter School, 1426 Napoleon Avenue
Planning District 5 (Lakeview and Lake Area)
6:30-8:30 pm | Grace Episcopal Church, 3700 Canal Street
Planning District 9 (Lower Ninth and Holy Cross)
6:30-8:30 pm | MLK Charter School, 1617 Caffin Avenue
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11
Planning District 11 (CBD, Warehouse District, Vieux Carre)
6:30-8:30 pm | Chateau Bourbon Hotel (formerly Chateau Sonesta Hotel), 1800 Iberville St.
Planning District 6 (Gentilly)
6:30-8:30 PM | Dillard University, Kearny Hall West Wing, 2601 Gentilly Blvd
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12
Planning District 2 (Central City and Garden District)
6:30-8:30PM | Dryades YMCA/singleton Charter, 2220 OC Haley Blvd.
Planning District 7 (Marigny, Bywater, St. Claude, St. Roch, and Desire)
6:30-8:30 PM | Holy Angels, 3500 St. Claude Avenue
Planning District 9, 10, and 11 (New Orleans East)
6:30-8:30 PM | Schaumberg Elementary School, 9501 Grant Street
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13
Planning District 4 (Mid City)
6:30-8:30 PM | Grace Episcopal Church, 3700 Canal Street
Planning District 12 and 13 (Algiers and English Turn)
6:30-8:30 PM | OP Walker High School, 2832 General Meyer Ave.
November 10th 2008 Rebuilding Together New Orleans
RT works with Starbucks on Community Service Projects
As part of their 2008 Leadership Conference, 4,000 Starbucks partners (employees) will be participating in community service projects with Rebuilding Together New Orleans in the Hollygrove and Broadmoor neighborhoods. These events, which will take place October 27th – 30th, are part of a city-wide 10,000 volunteer effort, representing the largest community service project in the history of New Orleans.
“Not only is New Orleans a wonderful host for our conference, but we can also work with its citizens to help rebuild community in this historic and culturally rich city,” said Rodney Hines, Starbucks director of community investments.
Rebuilding Together New Orleans will lead Starbucks partners in scraping and painting the exterior of 31 homes and landscaping and clearing blighted lots. These efforts are managed in partnership with Trinity Christian Community, the Broadmoor Improvement Association, the Carrollton-Hollygrove CDC, and the New Orleans Food and Farm Network. In addition, the volunteers will plant 1000 trees throughout Broadmoor and Hollygrove under the guidance of Hike for KaTREEna.
Starbucks is also providing project support funding to Rebuilding Together New Orleans. “This partnership is a huge sign of progress for both Rebuilding Together and the city as a whole. It shows a commitment on the part of Starbucks to the cultural and economic importance of New Orleans,” says Kristin Gisleson Palmer, Director of Rebuilding Together. “The effects of this partnership will be felt in the long and short term and we are very excited to play such an important role in this project.”
November 10th 2008
Home Depot's 2009 Affordable Housing Built Responsibly Grant Program
The Home Depot Foundation’s 2009 Affordable Housing Built Responsibly Grant Program:
Request For Proposal
Posted on November 5, 2008
Deadline: November 15, 2008; March 1, 2009; and July 1, 2009 (Letters of Inquiry)
Home Depot Foundation Announces 2009 Affordable Housing Built Responsibly Grant Program
Through the Affordable Housing Built Responsibly grant program, the Home Depot Foundation administers funding to nonprofit organizations whose missions align with the foundation’s interests in supporting the production and preservation of affordable, efficient, and healthy housing.
The foundation makes grants to 501©(3) tax-exempt public charities in the United States and to charitable organizations in Canada. To better support its mission, the Home Depot Foundation awards most of its grants by directly soliciting proposals from high-performing nonprofit organizations with demonstrated ability to create strong partnerships, impact multiple communities, and leverage grant resources. In order to identify potential future nonprofit partners or respond to unique community revitalization opportunities, a limited amount of unsolicited grant funding is set aside to be awarded through a competitive process.
Preference is given to proposals that encourage community involvement and result in the production, preservation, or financing of housing units for low-to moderate-income families. The most promising proposals will incorporate a number of “green” building design practices. Also, in 2009, preference will be given to proposals that clearly demonstrate how urban forestry strategies will be utilized to create healthier, more vibrant communities.
The foundation makes Affordable Housing Built Responsibly grant decisions three times per year and grants typically range from $50,000 to $125,000 each.
Letters of inquiry are due on November 15, 2008; March 1, 2009; and July 1, 2009. The foundation will consider only one proposal from the same organization per calendar year.
Visit the Home Depot Foundation Web site for complete program guidelines.
Contact:
Link to Complete RFP
November 10th 2008
Mayor Nagin Signs Cooperative Endeavor Agreement
MAYOR NAGIN SIGNS COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT, COMMITTING $38 MILLION TO THE NEW ORLEANS REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
NEW ORLEANS, LA (November 6, 2008) – Mayor C. Ray Nagin and New Orleans Redevelopment Authority (NORA) Executive Director Joseph E. Williams today signed a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) that will help further reduce the number of blighted properties that exist in New Orleans as a result of the devastation from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
The CEA represents a $38 million commitment to NORA by the City of New Orleans. It is funded as a portion of the City’s $411 million in Disaster CDBG funding administered through the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA). Under this agreement, NORA will implement a number of programs on behalf of the City of New Orleans to help fight blight, maintain public health and safety, and spur development in New Orleans.
The CEA includes funding for the following:
- The Clean and Lien program — $5 million
- Program will allow NORA to manage the performance of maintenance and yard cleaning on properties that received judgments of blight or public nuisance under Chapter 28 of the city ordinance.
- Acquisition and Redevelopments: VA, Pontilly, Lake Forest Plaza, South Claiborne, and additional projects (“Bayou District”, Greater Treme, St. Claude Avenue Corridor, Oretha Castle Haley Avenue Corridor, “Gert Town”, Chef Menteur Highway Corridor) — $23.3 million
- NORA to initiate acquisition and redevelop property in the city.
- Lot Next Door Incentive Program Management — $250,000
- Gives property owners with a homestead exemption a right of first refusal on adjacent properties that NORA owns.
- Quick Take Authority — $2 million
- Provides NORA with quick take authority in all area given to City, provided by Ordinance M.C.S 22645
- Blighted Property Lending Fund — $2 million
- NORA shall utilize funds provided to increase the availability of construction financing for developers, contractors, no-profits and other small entrepreneurs interested in redeveloping blighted properties and derelict historic properties.
- Rehab and Construction Mitigation Study — $550,000
- NORA shall commission a study to determine the appropriate level for insurance pricing that would combine an analysis of the risk of different storm events, model of the performance of the existing housing stock during different storm events, and the valuation of different properties and the expected losses from storm damages.
- Commercial Appraisal Fund — $500,000
- Provides NORA with funds to conduct appraisals of commercial, industrial, and other vacant and derelict properties located in the City’s targeted area, opportunity zones, and other locations agreed upon by ORDA, NORA and the City’s approval.
- Methodist Hospital Planning Study —$500,000
- Provides NORA with funds for hiring consultants to complete an independent financial and physical feasibility study of the potential for renewed hospital and medical services on the former Methodist Hospital site.
- Property Inventory Database – $375,000
- Provides NORA with funds for hiring professional services to maintain a database for all properties acquired or to be acquired by NORA and its redevelopment status.
The purpose of this CEA is to accelerate the eradication of blight in post-Katrina New Orleans and to enhance the redevelopment of key strategic areas across our city. Already this year, the City of New Orleans has committed $8 million dollars to NORA – $2 million for general operations, $1 million for property acquisition and redevelopment in the bio-medical corridor, and $5 million for property acquisition in the City’s 17 Target Areas.
To track our recovery progress, visit www.cityofno.com/recovery . All project documents that were available at the press conference can be found under the City Updates on the www.cityofno.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
CEEON QUIETT, (504) 799-5246;
JAMES ROSS, (504) 906-9123
November 7th 2008 Hands On New Orleans
Volunteer Opportunities with Hands On New Orleans
To browse and sign up for volunteer projects, please visit on our online project calendar at http://handsonneworleans.org/projects/viewProject.php.
November 7th 2008 Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center
GET YOUR FREE "LIVE THE DREAM" T-SHIRT!
Make a tax-deductible donation of $40 or more to GNOFHAC’s fair housing enforcement, outreach, and homeownership protection programs and we’ll give you our limited-edition fair housing ringer T for FREE!
November 5th 2008
Community Rebuilding and Flood Protection Expo
FOR RELEASE: November 3, 2008
LSU AG CENTER AND PARTNERS HOST
COMMUNITY REBUILDING AND FLOOD PROTECTION EXPO
WHAT: The LSU Ag Center, in partnership with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, and Gulf Coast Bank and Trust, will host a Community Rebuilding and Flood Protection Expo. The Expo will provide homeowners with information on how to build energy-efficient, storm resistant homes, through a series of seminars, demonstrations and tours. The Expo will feature local elevation contractors as well as exhibitors and presenters coming to town for the National Floodproofing Conference, Nov. 17-20. The Corps will offer a tour of the 17th Street Canal Pump Station.
The expo is open to the public and free of charge.
WHO: Expo partners and sponsors include the following: LSU AgCenter Raised Floor Living La. DOTD – Floodplain Regulations Gulf Coast Bank and Trust Innovative Emergency Management Tulane City Center Shaw Environmental and Infrastructure Inc. University of New Orleans-CHART
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008; 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
WHERE: Headquartered at Gulf Coast Bank and Trust Parking Lot on Harrison Avenue. Seminars will be held at: St. Paul’s Episcopal School Knights of Columbus Hall (Lakeview) Homes and covered areas throughout Lakeview
CONTACT: Sarah Materne – 504.558.1761; 504.250.5708
November 5th 2008
City of New Orleans Continues to Update Public on the Status of Recovery Projects
CITY OF NEW ORLEANS CONTINUES TO UPDATE PUBLIC ON THE STATUS OF RECOVERY PROJECTS
MAYOR TO SIGN COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT WITH THE NEW ORLEANS REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
NEW ORLEANS, LA (November 5, 2008) – On Thursday, the City of New Orleans will host a media briefing to update the public on the progress and status of several recovery projects. The briefing will be held at 2:30 p.m. in the Mayor’s Press Room located on the 2nd floor in City Hall.
During the briefing, Mayor C. Ray Nagin will meet with Executive Director of the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority (NORA) Joseph E. Williams will sign a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) intended to help further reduce the number of blighted properties that exist in New Orleans as a result of the devastation from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
The City’s $38 million commitment to this program is part of the projects funded by the $411 million in Disaster CDBG financing that the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) has allocated to the City of New Orleans for implementation of the citywide recovery plan — which was the first plan approved in Louisiana. Under this agreement, NORA will implement a number of programs that will help fight blight, maintain public health and safety, and spur development in New Orleans. The programs include the Lot Next Door, which gives property owners a right of first refusal on adjacent properties that NORA owns; the Clean and Lien Program, under which NORA would manage maintenance and yard cleaning on properties that have received blight judgments or public nuisance; and the blighted property lending fund, though which NORA is to increase the availability of construction financing for developers, contractors, non-profits and others interested in developing blighted properties and derelict historic properties.
This briefing will focus on public/private partnerships within the City. In addition, Capital Projects Administrator William Chrisman and other key department heads will provide updates on several critical projects. Chrisman will highlight the status of New Orleans Police Department Third District Station, Arthur Monday Health Clinic, Papania and Cardenas Streets, along with the FEMA eligible sidewalk and patching projects managed by the Department of Public Works.
To track our recovery progress, visit http://www.cityofno.com/recovery
CONTACT:
LESLEY EUGENE, (504) 416-7694
JAMES ROSS, (504) 906-9123
November 3rd 2008 Operation REACH, Inc.
Operation REACH, Inc. Seeks to Fund Local Youth Groups
Operation REACH, Inc. Seeks to Fund Local Youth Groups
Operation REACH, Inc. is pleased to announce the fall 2008 funding round for the Gulfsouth Youth Action Fund. The Gulfsouth Youth Action Fund is now accepting letters of intent and proposals from local youth-led, youth-driven organizations working to create vibrant communities for youth to live, learn, lead, thrive and grow.
The Gulfsouth Youth Action Fund is a youth philanthropy initiative, founded by Operation REACH in 2007. Thirty middle and high school students from different cultural, religious, racial and socio-economic backgrounds serve on the Gulfsouth Youth Action Fund’s Youth Advisory Board. This group processes and awards grants to youth-serving/youth-led organizations engaged in Gulf Coast recovery and other youth-related issues throughout the Greater New Orleans region.
Grant awards range from $500 to $5,000. In its first year, the Gulfsouth Youth Action Fund made more than $10,000 in grant awards to four youth organizations.
The Gulfsouth Youth Action Fund (GYAF) engages youth as leaders and empowers them with the resources to make strategic investments in their peers and communities. The GYAF is a program of Operation REACH, Inc., a local community education organization that engages, empowers, and inspires children youth and families through informal learning. Operation REACH runs the Gulfsouth Youth Action Fund in partnership with the Greater New Orleans Foundation (GNOF) and supported by the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation, the Foundation for the Mid South, Rebuilding Our Community, Inc., United Way of Greater New Orleans, the Metropolitan Human Services District, FedEx Corp., State Farm Insurance Companies, and Interfaith Works.
Organizations interested in applying for funding for a youth-driven initiative can find the complete Request for Proposals at http://www.thegyac.org. Potential applicants are encouraged to submit a letter of intent by November 14, 2008. Complete proposals are due by December 5, 2008. The first award disbursements will be made in January 2009.
For more information on the Gulfsouth Youth Action Fund, visit http://www.thegyac.org. For questions, please contact Program Coordinator, Tony Wilson, or (504) 529-1922.
November 1st 2008 Rebuilding Information Station
Rebuilding Extravaganza
Multiple Rebuilding Workshops where homeowners can learn how to strengthen their homes against wind and water damage and save on energy costs. There will also be hands-on demonstration tents showcasing “tricks of the trade” on replacing or repairing your roof, insulating your home, and properly installing windows and window protection.
October 27th 2008 Neighborhoods Partnership Network
Operation REACH's Gulfsouth Youth Action Fund Call for Nominations
Operation REACH’s Gulfsouth Youth Action Fund
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Hamilton Simons-Jones
October 23, 2008
(504) 529-1722 ext. 110
________________________________________________________________________
Operation REACH, Inc Seeks Outstanding Youth to Serve on Grant Awards Panel
New Orleans, LA—Operation REACH, Inc is pleased to announce a call for nominations for members of the Gulfsouth Youth Action Fund Youth Advisory Board, a youth philanthropy program that awarded over $12,500 in grants last year to local youth-led and youth-driven organizations. Operation REACH is seeking energetic, community-oriented youth who are looking to make a difference in the community.
Thirty middle and high school students from around the Greater New Orleans area will be selected to serve on the Gulfsouth Youth Action Fund Youth Advisory Board. The students, who are nominated by schools and local organizations, must complete an application and interview. The deadline for nominations is October 31, 2008.
The Gulfsouth Youth Action Fund (GYAF) engages youth as leaders and empowers them with the resources to make strategic investments in their peers and communities. GYAF is a program of Operation REACH, Inc., a local community education organization that engages, empowers, and inspires children youth and families through informal learning. Operation REACH runs the Gulfsouth Youth Action Fund in partnership with the Greater New Orleans Foundation (GNOF) and supported by the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation, the Foundation for the Mid South, Rebuilding Our Community, Inc., United Way of Greater New Orleans, the Metropolitan Human Services District, FedEx Corp., State Farm Insurance Companies, and Interfaith Works.
Youth participants will be trained in all aspects of philanthropy. They will facilitate training workshops for youth and adults, review proposals and serve on a panel that makes grant awards of $500 to $5000 to local youth-led and youth-serving organizations.
�The Advisory Board will have adult-level responsibilities and adult-level resources and assets to be actual policy shapers and decision makers, thus having a direct impact on this community�s recovery,� said Dr. Kyshun Webster, CEO of Operation REACH, Inc.
�They will learn and take responsibility for advocating for positive change in their schools, amongst their peers and in their communities.�
Youth Advisory Board members will be selected and begin training in October. The training sessions will be led by community leaders and mentors, including topics like fiscal management, community organization, public relations, and the art of reading and writing business proposals. Youth will also learn how philanthropy relates to economics, geography, government, history and civic engagement.
To request a nomination form for the Youth Advisory Board, visit http://www.thegyac.org.
Individuals and corporations interested in donating to the Gulfsouth Youth Action Fund should call (504) 529-1922 × 110.
For more information on the Gulfsouth Youth Action Fund, visit http://www.thgyac.org
October 24th 2008 Neighborhoods Partnership Network
Funding Opportunity for New Orleans Area Nonprofit
New Orleans Nonprofit Organizations Invited to Take Freeman Challenge to Build Endowments
Deadline: November 17, 2008
The Richard West Freeman Endowment Challenge through the Greater New Orleans Foundation (http://www.gnof.org/) is designed to assist nonprofit organizations within the Greater New Orleans area looking to create an endowment for the first time or build on an existing one.
An endowed fund is one where the principal is kept intact and invested, with only a certain portion of the investment income distributed back to nonprofits for their general use. Often, nonprofits will see their endowments grow by reinvesting earnings and by adding additional contributions from donors.
The Freeman Challenge will match one dollar for every two dollars raised by nonprofits up to $15,000. Nonprofits will have the opportunity to select a preference for one of three matching categories: 1) the nonprofit raises $10,000, the Freeman Challenge matches $5,000; 2) the nonprofit raises $20,000, the Freeman Challenge matches $10,000; and 3) the nonprofit raises $30,000, the Freeman Challenge matches $15,000.
Nonprofit, tax-exempt, 501©(3) organizations are eligible to apply, as are organizations that have a fiscal agent relationship with a 501©(3) nonprofit.
October 23rd 2008
Grants from the MetLife Foundation
MetLife Foundation
Application Deadline: Ongoing (requests are accepted and reviewed throughout the year).
Description: Grants usually fall within the following broad areas of concern: health, civic affairs, education, culture and public broadcasting. Requests for general or project support are considered.
Who May Apply: MetLife Foundation makes contributions only to tax-exempt organizations under Section 501©(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Limitations: Grants are NOT made to religious organizations, hospitals and community health clinics, elementary and secondary schools, or organizations receiving support form United Way. Please reference website for complete list of limitations.
Requests must be made in writing and should be directed to:
MetLife Foundation / 27-01 Queens Plaza North / Long Island City, NY 11101
For complete guidelines and restrictions, reference the following link:
http://www.metlife.com/Applications/Corporate/WPS/CDA/PageGenerator/0,1674,P296,00.html.
October 23rd 2008 Neighborhoods Partnership Network
Education, Community, and Health Funding Opportunity -- RGK Foundation
The following funding opportunity announcement is likely to be of interest to nearly all nonprofit organizations certified as tax exempt under Sections 501c(3) or 170c of the Internal Revenue Code and/or classified as “not a private foundation” under Section 509(a). Hospitals, educational institutions, governmental institutions, and school districts meeting these requirements are eligible to apply:
EDUCATION, COMMUNITY, AND HEALTH
RGK Foundation
Application Deadline: There is no deadline for submitting an electronic letter of inquiry. Foundation staff reviews electronic letters of inquiry on an ongoing basis and typically responds within two days, but asks that applicants allow up to two weeks for a response. The foundation will send an e-mail message either declining each applicant’s request or inviting the applicant to submit a formal application packet for further consideration.
Description: The RGK Foundation awards grants in the broad areas of education, community, and medicine/health. Community Improvement programs include those that enhance nonprofit management and promote philanthropy/volunteerism. Other programs considered include human services, abuse prevention, and youth development programs. The Foundation is also interested in programs that attract female and minority students into the fields of mathematics, science, and technology.
Limitations: As a general practice, RGK Foundation refrains from funding capital campaigns/renovation projects, emergency or disaster relief efforts, and indirect/administrative costs. The Foundation prefers to provide programmatic support ~ including program salaries ~ for nonprofits. Reference website for a complete list of restrictions.
Who May Apply: Grants are made only to nonprofit organizations certified as tax-exempt under Sections 501©(3) or 170© of the Internal Revenue Code and classified as “not a private foundation” under Section 509(a). There are no geographic restrictions (within the United States) on the Foundation’s grantmaking program.
Funding Amount: Although the foundation occasionally awards grants of more than $100,000, grants generally average $25,000.
For more information, go to:
http://www.rgkfoundation.org/public/guidelines
October 23rd 2008
Grants for Education and/or Youth Development
The Muzak Heart & Soul Foundation’s
The Muzak Heart & Soul Foundation’s mission is to support and redefine music education. Through music education, a child can better achieve his/her full potential and stimulate personal and educational growth.
Music Matters Grants for 2009 will focus on educational reform in school music programs and independent music programs. Grants will be awarded in April 2009 (money will be distributed by October 2009), to schools and music programs throughout the United States. Grant amounts for this cycle are between $1,000-$12,000 each and are made on an annual one-time basis.
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Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation
The MEAF Inclusion Champion Award honors individuals who have made significant efforts to promote the full inclusion of youth with disabilities in society. The focus of the efforts may include, but is not limited to, helping to create a culture of inclusion within an organization or community or developing innovative strategies for inclusive programming in: school activities, after-school programs, community service, and leadership development.
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VSA arts and MetLife Foundation
The goals of Arts Connect All are to:
* Enable more students with disabilities to experience social, cognitive, and cultural development through arts learning alongside their peers without disabilities; * Create educational access and inclusion in the arts for students with disabilities; and * Document the contributions that arts organizations make to inclusive education in public schoolsOctober 22nd 2008
DOL Funding Opportunity for Community Colleges and Job Training Facilities
Description
The Employment and Training Administration (ETA), U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), announces the availability of approximately $125 million in grant funds for Community-Based Job Training Grants. Community-Based Job Training Grants will be awarded through a competitive process to support workforce training for high-growth/high-demand industries through the national system of community and technical colleges. Funds will be awarded to individual community and technical colleges, community college districts, state community college systems, and One-Stop Career Centers to support or engage in a combination of capacity building and training activities for the purpose of building the capacity of community colleges to train individuals for careers in high-growth/high-demand industries in the local and/or regional economies. This Solicitation contains an exception for rural areas and other communities that are educationally underserved due to their lack of access to community or technical colleges. In awarding Community-Based Job Training Grants, every effort will be made to fairly distribute grants across rural and urban areas and across the different geographic regions of the United States. It is anticipated that individual awards will range from $500,000 to $2 million.
Community-Based Job Training Grants
If you have difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically, please contact:
Chari Magruder
Grant Officer
Phone 2026933346 or .
October 22nd 2008
NEA "Big Read" Community Reading Initiative
Request For Proposal
Posted on October 22, 2008
Deadline: February 3, 2009
Big Read Offers Support for Community Reading Projects
The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. The NEA presents the Big Read in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and in cooperation with Arts Midwest. The Big Read brings together partners across the United States to encourage reading for pleasure and enlightenment.
The Big Read is accepting applications from nonprofit organizations to conduct month-long, community-wide reads between September 2009 and June 2010. Organizations selected to participate in the Big Read will each receive a grant ranging from $2,500 to $20,000, financial support to attend the orientation meeting, educational and promotional materials, an Organizer’s Guide for developing and managing Big Read activities, inclusion of the organization and activities on the Big Read Web site, and the prestige of participating in a highly visible national initiative. Approximately 400 organizations of varying sizes across the country will be selected for this cycle.
Applicant organizations must be a 501©(3) nonprofit organization, a division of state, local, or tribal government, or a tax-exempt public library. Eligible applicants include such organizations as literary centers, libraries, museums, colleges and universities, art centers, historical societies, arts councils, tribal governments, humanities councils, literary festivals, and arts organizations. Applicant organizations must partner with a library (if the applicant organization itself is not a library), and must select one of the twenty-seven available book titles or one of the three available poetry books.
Complete program information is available at the Big Read Web site.
Contact:
Link to Complete RFP
October 22nd 2008
Home Depot's Housing Grants Impact Program
Request For Proposal
Deadline: December 15, 2008
Home Depot to Accept Housing Impact Grants Program Applications
The Home Depot’s Housing Impact Grants program is a quarterly grants process designed to assist nonprofit organizations in North America whose projects involve affordable housing built responsibly in a timely manner. Projects that seek to build or rebuild affordable housing will be eligible for grants of $1,000 to $3,000 each. Preference will be given to projects that integrate sustainability.
Beginning in 2008, the Housing Impact Grants program will fully align with the Home Depot Foundation’s Affordable Housing Built Responsibly program. The online process will remain competitive and will be open to nonprofit organizations with proper tax exempt status whose projects align with the new grant guidelines in North America.
The Home Depot will only fund nonprofit organizations that have 501©(3) tax-exempt status in the United States, or that have a notification of registration and confirmation of registration from the Canadian Customs and Revenue Agency Charities Division in Canada.
Applications for the next funding cycle may be submitted from November 1 to December 15, 2008.
For more information on the Housing Impact Grants program, visit the Home Depot Web site.
Contact:
Link to Complete RFP
October 21st 2008
WYES presents...RESHAPING NEW ORLEANS: CRIMINAL JUSTICE
WYES TAKES AN IN-DEPTH LOOK INTO PROPOSED CHANGES IN THE NEW ORLEANS CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
NEW ORLEANS (OCTOBER 21, 2008) – WYES continues its television series RESHAPING NEW ORLEANS examining the city’s post-Katrina recovery with a third installment, CRIMINAL JUSTICE. The hour special airs Thursday, October 30 at 7:00 p.m. The program repeats Friday, October 31 at 9:00 p.m. and Sunday, November 2 at 10:00 p.m.
RESHAPING NEW ORLEANS: CRIMINAL JUSTICE explains new initiatives to use best
practices from around the nation to rebuild an already struggling criminal justice system crippled by
Katrina. It explores recommendations made by the Vera Institute of Justice, which led to an historic agreement made by the New Orleans Criminal Justice Leadership Alliance to bring positive change to advance safety and justice.
WWL-TV news anchor Dennis Woltering will moderate the program. The special broadcast features a series of in-depth reports interviewing leaders from law enforcement, the courts, the district attorney’s office and public defenders, as well as City Councilman James Carter who spearheaded the Alliance, and leaders of the Vera Institute and Pretrial Justice Institute who are guiding New Orleans in its mission. The stories will be interwoven with a roundtable discussion between Woltering and criminal justice watchdogs.
Scheduled panelists are retired Orleans Criminal District Court Judge Calvin Johnson, Rafael Goyeneche of the Metropolitan Crime Commission, Greg Rusovich of the New Orleans Business Council and New Orleans Crime Coalition, criminologist Peter Scharf from Tulane University, and New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation President & C.E.O Robert Stellingworth.
The program is underwritten by Baptist Community Ministries (BCM), which is also organizer of
ProjectJusticeNola, a collaboration of community organizations built to inform citizens about the proposed changes and show where candidates for criminal justice offices stand on the issues.
WYES has partnered with BCM and ProjectJusticeNola to create an exclusive webcast on
wyes.org. Voters can view taped answers to questions about specific proposed reforms from the
candidates for Orleans district attorney and criminal court judge to be elected November 4. After the show’s initial broadcast, look for the entire one-hour episode of RESHAPING NEW ORLEANS:
CRIMINAL JUSTICE On Demand at wyes.org.
RESHAPING NEW ORLEANS: CRIMINAL JUSTICE is produced by Paula Pendarvis. WYES
Director of Local Initiatives Marcia Kavanaugh is Executive Producer.
WYES-TV is a non-profit public broadcasting television service providing viewership to over 650,000 people in the Greater New Orleans area and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. WYES is a partnership between citizens, foundations, businesses and local, state and federal governments, working together toward the education and development of our community. WYES’ local award-winning productions showcase what is unique and interesting about our people, city and region.
Media Contact:
Aislinn Hinyup
WYES Promotion Manager
504-838-0364
October 21st 2008 Build Now
Build Now featured as part of SENO's Be the Change
This Thursday, October 23rd, Build Now will be featured as part of SENO’s “Be the Change: Celebrating Social Entrepreneurs in New Orleans.” The event is at 7 PM, at the Fine Arts Center at 1733 Constantinople Street.
SENO, Social Entrepreneurs of New Orleans, is dedicating to supporting and promoting social entrepreneurs – defined on their website as “individuals with innovative solutions to society’s most pressing social problems.”
For more information about the event, visit http://www.seno-nola.org/participate/event.php. Come out and support SENO, and all the groups working to help New Orleans grow!
October 16th 2008 Rebuilding Together New Orleans
RTNO's October Build a Success
On the weekends of October 3rd and 10th, an army of local volunteers descended on five of New Orleans’ neighborhoods as part of Rebuilding Together’s 20th annual October Build (formerly Christmas in October). Equipped with scrapers, paint brushes, caulk guns, and buzz saws, the 700 volunteers threw themselves into the rebuilding of New Orleans. This year, with an increased support staff of AmeriCorps volunteers, Rebuilding Together wanted to reach more homeowners than the previous year. With the help of 25 teams, the homes of 28 elderly homeowners throughout the city of New Orleans received 22,400 hours of volunteer labor, representing one of the largest weekend rebuilding efforts in the city since Katrina.
Volunteer teams comprised of corporations, nonprofits, and groups of friends were spread throughout New Orleans in Rebuilding Together’s targeted neighborhoods of Hollygrove, Broadmoor, Esplanade Ridge – Treme, St. Roch, and Holy Cross. Corporations and organizations that were represented include Shell Oil, Whitney National Bank, Folgers, Chevron, and the Knights of Malta. Rebuilding Together’s AmeriCorps volunteers were stationed at each house to act as support for each team: calling for extra supplies, taking pictures of the action, and lending a hand in the construction when needed. “It was a real tough weekend,” noted AmeriCorps volunteer Ryan Hanley. “Standing twenty feet in the air on a ladder and scraping the whole side of a shotgun house is hard work, but it was totally worth it.”
The work scopes of each house varied greatly: most required a thorough scrape and paint, some needed new siding and fencing, and a few even called for gutting that had not been touched since Katrina. A few groups with specialized knowledge such as the LSU’s School of Occupational Therapy built wheelchair ramps of elderly homeowners, thus enabling them to safely stay in their homes as long as they want.
Before Hurricane Katrina, Rebuilding Together New Orleans focused most of its energy and work on their once-a-year event of Christmas in October. Following the destruction of Katrina, however, the needs of homeowners changed dramatically. No longer was the work of Rebuilding Together New Orleans limited to one weekend a year. Since Katrina, the organization has grown to serve the needs of elderly homeowners year round with the help of hundreds of volunteers from around the country. As a result, the Christmas in October event temporarily fell to the wayside. After a two year hiatus, the event returned last year under the new name of the October Build. As New Orleanians have slowly been able to rebuild their own homes and put their lives back to relative normalcy, the demand for local volunteerism has grown steadily. The October Build was a perfect outlet for this new energy, as evidenced by the 700 New Orleanians climbing up ladders and on scaffolding to paint their neighbors houses and bring their city back.
Walking down Walmsley Avenue in the Broadmoor neighborhood, one could not have helped feeling optimistic about the future of this city. Volunteers swarmed like bees around multiple houses and spilled out into the streets. Two houses were being worked on as part of Rebuilding Together’s October Build, but three others on the street were also independently under construction, thus proving that redevelopment is naturally contagious. The sound of hammers echoed in the air, saws roared to life, and everywhere people were working and smiling. Although this may not be the case in every part of the city, it certainly shows that where New Orleanians have concern for their neighbors, they can accomplish anything.
