"Housing, Education and Health in New Orleans Today" FONO Event at the Aspen Institute in Colorado - August 12, 2009

This event helped to highlight the complex issues that the Greater New Orleans region still faces on the road to recovery, in addition to celebrating the progress that local leaders and residents have accomplished. Distinguished panelists included Dr. Benjamin Sachs (head of Tulane Medical School) and Dr. Jim Doty (Stanford University Professor of Neurosurgery, on boards of Tulane University and FONO) who spoke about the role of community health care clinics in giving residents much needed access to basic and preventative medical services.  Tony Recasner (Chairman of the Board of New Schools New Orleans, and Vice Chair of the Greater New Orleans Foundation) and Dr. Albert Ruesga (President/CEO, Greater New Orleans Foundation) spoke about New Orleans transforming its schools and neighborhoods, and becoming a model for the rest of the nation.  "The City had one of the nation's worst public school systems but, in the wake of Katrina, neighborhoods have been taking their schools back.  Sixty percent of the city's children now attend a public charter school, neighborhoods have taken ownership of their schools and test scores are on the rise," Recasner said.  Allison Plyer of the Greater New Orleans Community Data Center said that 90% of pre-Katrina residents have moved back to their homes and Kristin Palmer (Executive Director of Rebuilding Together New Orleans) spoke about the incredible rebuilding effort that is seen throughout the city and the role of nonprofits and volunteer programs such as AmeriCorps in these efforts.  Karen Gadbois (Carrollton Neighborhood Leader and Watchdog Blogger) and Harry Shearer (comedian, actor, musician, New Orleans resident and celebrity blogger) spoke about civic engagement and holding the government accountable for its actions and promises. The event was moderated by Walter Isaacson (President/CEO of The Aspen Insitute and FONO Founder) and the MC for the evening was Stephen DeBerry (CIO at Kapor Enterprises and FONO Board Chair).  Janet Woodka, the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding, under the Dept. of Homeland Security, spoke about the new administration's efforts to better coordinate the release of funds and to reduce friction between local, state and federal agencies.  Following the talk at the Aspen Institute, these New Orleans leaders were recognized and celebrated at a VIP reception and benefit dinner with FONO donors at the home of Alex Kaufman.

For a video recording of this FONO event "Housing, Education and Health in New Orleans Today" please go to the following link http://vod.grassrootstv.org/vodcontent/8362-1.wmv 

An article on this event by the Aspen Daily News can be viewed at http://www.aspendailynews.com/section/home/136071