Friends of New Orleans is a private, non-profit, non-partisan, membership organization for people in the U.S. and abroad who care about the region. Our mission is to advocate for New Orleans and its surrounding parishes, inform people of those key issues that are shaping the national debate and decision making of the rebuilding effort, link individuals who want to help with the communities in the devastated areas and motivate people to take part in the rebuilding effort.
]]>Formed shortly after the storms in November 2005, Citizens for 1 Greater New Orleans is a voice for change and renewal for Greater New Orleans and Louisiana. The group serves as a platform and resource for citizens to take action to rebuild Greater New Orleans. Its founders, a group of citizens who were enraged after the state legislature failed to pass levee board reforms after the storms, have brought about positive regional change.
]]> Their successful campaigns include consolidating the many local levee commissions into one, now called The Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority; and combining the seven New Orleans assessors’ offices into a single office. Today, they are working to address crime, education and ethics reform, and have helped to create the New Orleans Crime Coalition and Court Watch NOLA as part of these efforts.Citizens of 1 Greater New Orleans will join the other ‘Hero’ award recipients and will be honored before the national media, key leaders and delegates from across the country at events FONO is planning for the Democrat and Republican national conventions in August and September. The events will celebrate New Orleans by offering participants the chance to sample some of Louisiana’s unique music and cuisine, as well as raise awareness about the state of the region three years after hurricanes Katrina and Rita. FONO Board member and actor John Larroquette will host the events, along with John Breaux, James Carville and Donna Brazile at the Democrat convention in Denver, and Billy Tauzin, Tommy Thompson and Mary Matalin at the Republican event in Minneapolis.
]]>Since its construction in the 1960s, the MRGO has destroyed more than 27,000 acres of wetlands that served as a natural storm buffer, and during hurricane Katrina, created a thoroughfare for storm waters into the heart of New Orleans and St. Bernard Parish. Harrison said that the Corps of Engineers was doing the right thing by closing the channel, but emphasized that they needed to finish the job by repairing the damaged area. He urged the audience of mostly congressional staff to not only ask the Corps for their plan for a comprehensive restoration effort, but to also to ensure that the plan received adequate funding.
Tab Benoit, 2007 Grammy nominee and founder of the nonprofit organization Voice of the Wetlands wrapped up the panel with a plea for urgent action to be taken. A resident of Houma, Louisiana, Tab has long been an advocate for the coast. He stressed that Louisiana has provided much to the nation in terms of seafood, oil and gas, but that this had taken a toll on the state. The state simply can't wait any longer.
That evening, FONO and Environmental Defense Fund hosted a "Capitol Hill Bayou Bash" complete with a crawfish boil and show by Tab Benoit at the American Legion. In addition to entertaining the full house with his unique Southern Louisiana music, Tab spoke at length about the issue, and urged the audience to support efforts to preserve and restore the state's wetlands, not only for Louisiana but for the world.
]]>The Denver Post article "Host Committee Slashes DNC Party Venues," inaccurately portrays Friends of New Orleans (FONO) as being a financial sponsor of the Delegate Party planned for the Democratic National Convention. Friends of New Orleans, a private, non-profit, non-partisan, membership organization for people in the U.S. and abroad who care about the region, is not now and never was a financial sponsor of the event. The event, which is being held at the Colorado Convention Center on Sunday, August 24 in Denver, Colorado, is being sponsored by the Denver 2008 Convention Host Committee. Acknowledging the inaccuracy, The Denver Post updated its article at 12:31 p.m. MDT. In addition, the Democratic National Convention Committee issued a statement clarifying its financial commitment for the event.
Since its inception in 2006, FONO has been instrumental in keeping the focus on rebuilding New Orleans and its surrounding parishes. To keep New Orleans and its issues post-hurricanes top-of-mind in an election year, FONO has planned benefit events at each of the two national conventions in Denver and St. Paul on August 24 and September 1 respectively. The purpose of these events is to highlight the local organizations working tirelessly to rebuild their homes and communities.
]]>On Saturday, May 3, at a construction site for local nonprofit St. Bernard Project, Senator Mary Landrieu (D-La.) presented the organization with a Hero of the Storm award for its efforts to help the residents of St. Bernard parish rebuild and move back to their homes post hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The St. Bernard Project has been chosen as the fourth recipient of the award by Friends of New Orleans (FONO), a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization that advocates for New Orleans and its surrounding parishes.
]]>The St. Bernard Project was founded in March 2006 by four volunteers committed to the relief effort. Inspired by the spirit and determination of the residents, the volunteers formed the organization to remove barriers that prevented these families from returning home. The organization is dedicated to rebuilding previously gutted houses and uses volunteer labor and donations to purchase building supplies. Currently, the Project is able to rebuild houses in 8-12 weeks for an average supply cost of $10,000-12,000 per house. To date, they have rebuilt 118 homes and, after recognizing a need for counseling, support services and affordable rental housing for seniors and disabled people, are currently developing programs to address these issues.
St. Bernard Project, along with the other Hero of the Storm award recipients, which to date include Tipitina’s Foundation, Fat’s Domino, Women of the Storm and New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation will be honored before the national media, key leaders and delegates from across the country at events FONO is planning for the Democrat and Republican national conventions. The events will celebrate New Orleans by offering participants the chance to sample some of Louisiana’s unique music and cuisine, as well as raise awareness about the state of the region three years after the devastating hurricanes. FONO board member and actor John Larroquette will host the events, along with John Breaux, James Carville and Donna Brazile at the Democrat convention in Denver, and Billy Tauzin, Tommy Thompson and Mary Matalin at the Republican event in Minneapolis.
]]>April 21 - Friends of New Orleans (FONO), a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization that advocates for New Orleans and its surrounding parishes, today announced that The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation (NOJHF) will be the third recipient of its Hero of the Storm award. NOJHF, the 501(c)(3) arm of the world famous festival, is being recognized for its outstanding efforts to preserve Louisiana’s local arts culture.
]]>Through its many festivals, local programs and cultural events, NOJHF supports and uplifts the music, arts, culture and heritage of Louisiana communities. Recognizing the increased importance of preserving Louisiana’s arts community post-Katrina and Rita, the organization grew its Heritage School of Music from one campus to five; established five local festivals to promote the unique culture of the region; and launched several innovative programs. Raisin’ the Roof is one such program, created to help musicians become homeowners. NOJHF’s Sync Up initiative connects independent musicians with professional opportunities around the world, including festival performances and participation in musical score and soundtrack development.
NOJHF is the third organization to be recognized as a Hero of the Storm by FONO. FONO, with the support of the Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations (LANO) and the Unified Nonprofits of Greater New Orleans, established the campaign to honor organizations and individuals that have been instrumental in driving the rebuilding effort of the region.
All Heroes will be honored before the national media, key leaders and delegates from across the country at events FONO is planning for the Democrat and Republican national conventions this summer. The events will celebrate New Orleans by offering participants the chance to sample some of Louisiana’s unique music and cuisine, as well as raise awareness about the state of the region three years after the devastating hurricanes. FONO Board member and actor John Larroquette will host the events, along with John Breaux, James Carville and Donna Brazile at the Democrat convention in Denver, and Billy Tauzin, Tommy Thompson and Mary Matalin at the Republican event in Minneapolis.
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Women of the Storm is the second Hero of the Storm to be recognized by FONO, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization that advocates for New Orleans and its surrounding parishes. Last month, FONO presented its first award to musician and New Orleans native, Fats Domino and The Tipitina’s Foundation at an 80th Birthday party for the music legend. FONO, with the support of the Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations (LANO) and the Unified Nonprofits of Greater New Orleans, established the campaign to honor organizations and individuals that have been instrumental in driving the rebuilding effort of the region.
All of the Heroes will be honored before the national media, key leaders and delegates from all over the country at events FONO is planning for the Democrat and Republican national conventions this summer. The events will celebrate the city by offering participants the chance to sample some of Louisiana’s unique music and cuisine, as well as raise awareness about the state of the region three years after the devastating hurricanes. John Breaux, James Carville and Donna Brazile will serve as hosts of the event in Denver, and Billy Tauzin, Tommy Thompson and Mary Matalin will host the Minneapolis event.
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Greater New Orleans, Inc. (GNO, Inc.)
www.gnoinc.org
Hands on New Orleans www.handsonneworleans.org
The Idea Village
www.ideavillage.org
Kat Krewe (Kids Against Trash Krewe)
cleanno.org/Schools.html
Katrina Krewe (Krewe Aiding Trash Removal In the New Orleans Area)
www.cleanno.org
Katrina Writing Project
katrinawritingproject.blogspot.com
Kingsley House
www.kingsleyhouse.org
Levees.org
www.levees.org
Louisiana Asso. Of Nonprofit Organizations (LANO)
www.lano.org
Louisiana Justice Institute
www.louisianajusticeinstitute.org
Loyola University of New Orleans
www.loyno.edu
Marsh Mission
www.marshmission.com
Mercy Corps
www.mercycorps.org/katrina
Neighborhoods Partnership Network (NPN)
www.npnnola.com
New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA)
www.nocca.com
New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation
www.jazzandheritage.org
New Orleans Neighborhood Development Collaborative
www.nondc.org
New Orleans Outreach
www.nooutreach.com
New Orleans Video Access Center (NOVAC)
www.novacvideo.org
New Schools for New Orleans
newschoolsforneworleans.org
NOLA YURP
www.nolayurp.org
Mary Queen of Viet Nam Community Development Corportation, Inc.
www.mqvncdc.org
Operation Comeback
www.prcno.org
Parkway Partners Program
parkwaypartnersnola.org
Phoenix of New Orleans
www.pnola.org
Preservation Resource Center
www.prcno.org
Rebuilding Community International
www.rebuildingcommunity.org
Revitalization Institute
www.revitalization.org
St. Bernard Project
www.stbernardproject.org
St. John #5 Baptist Church
www.faithlikejesus.org
Stage to Stage, Inc. dba Crescent City Lights Youth Theatre
www.crescentcitylights.org
Start the Adventure in Reading (STAIR)
www.stairnola.org
Tipitina's Foundation
www.tipitinasfoundation.org
WRBH Radio for the Blind and Print Handicapped
www.wrbh.org
Women of the Storm
www.womenofthestorm.net
Young Leadership Council
www.youngleadershipcouncil.org
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The presentation will mark the first of several Heroes of the Storm awards that FONO, with support from the Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations (LANO) and Unified Nonprofits of Greater New Orleans, will present to nonprofit organizations and individuals who have been instrumental in driving the rebuilding effort in the region in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
The Heroes campaign will culminate at the Democratic and Republican National Conventions in August and September, where FONO will honor recipients before the national media, key leaders and delegates from all over the country. Participants at the events will have a chance to sample local cuisine and music by the Voice of the Wetlands All-Stars. John Breaux, James Carville and Donna Brazile will serve as hosts of the event in Denver, and Billy Tauzin, Tommy Thompson and Mary Matalin will host the Minneapolis event.
]]>Pamela Bryan (Preservation Resource Center) opened the discussion with a presentation about the unique architecture of the area, and Operation Comeback, a project by her organization to rebuild and maintain the historic homes in the Holy Cross Neighborhood of the 9th Ward.
Bill Taylor of the Tipitina’s Foundation talked about the traditional music that arose from the neighborhoods of New Orleans and influenced artists around the world. He discussed how the Foundation is supporting musicians through its programs, and is helping to keep the musical heritage of the city alive.
Brian Privor, a Board Member of the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts Institute, updated the audience on the exciting programs that NOCCA is undertaking to encourage students in music and the arts. The school has many nationally-recognized graduates, including musicians Harry Connick, Jr. and Wynton Marsalis, and is now undertaking a new culinary program.
Chef Jeff Tunks of Acadiana Resturant, and Board Member with the Southern Food and Beverage Museum to be located in New Orleans later this year, talked about the rich local cuisine which restaurants all over the world attempt to duplicate.
David Freedman (WWOZ-FM) and Gene DeAnna (The Library of Congress) closed the discussion with a presentation about a joint preservation project undertaken by the radio station and the Library of Congress to digitize rare WWOZ music collections, and ensure that these irreplaceable recordings are not threatened by future.
In addition to the briefing, congressional staff and others were able to enjoy a photo display that ran all day in the Rayburn House Office Building Foyer. The exhibit included artwork by NOCCA students, before and after shots of homes renovated by the Preservation Resource Center, and photographs of the city by photojournalist Lee Celano.
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