New Orleans, LA | October 29, 2012 \u2013 The Greater New Orleans Foundation announced that almost $1 million was awarded to 28 nonprofit organizations throughout the region in response to emergency needs after Hurricane Isaac and to four organizations working to address environmental challenges. \u201cThis is a perfect example of the role of a community foundation,\u201d says Dr. Albert Ruesga, president and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Foundation. \u201cWe address the short and long-term needs of a community.\u201d<\/p>\n
In partnership with local donors, the Greater New Orleans Foundation responded immediately after\u00a0Hurricane Isaac\u00a0with funding to nonprofit organizations assisting families and individuals affected by the storm. A total of $347,761 thus far has been awarded to 28 organizations throughout the region.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith 37 percent of our families living in\u00a0asset poverty, people don\u2019t have the savings to weather a storm,\u201d said Dr. Ruesga. \u201cBecause work was interrupted for many, people needed immediate assistance with life\u2019s basic necessities such as food, clothing, and shelter as they rebuilt their homes and lives.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOur response is not limited to post-hurricane relief,\u201d said Dr. Marco Cocito-Monoc, director of regional initiatives at the Greater New Orleans. \u201cFor years, we have been partnering with nonprofit organizations to address long-term solutions for the families who live and work in our fragile coastal communities and whose livelihoods are threatened every day,\u201d says Dr. Cocito-Monoc, referring to the 35 percent of Louisiana\u2019s population who live in the threatened coastal communities and the city of New Orleans. In 2012 alone, the Foundation has awarded 19 environmental grants totaling $3,291,000 for work in a multi-parish region.<\/p>\n
The Greater New Orleans Foundation works in partnership with select nonprofit organizations that are addressing economic, social, cultural, and environmental issues.<\/p>\n
Boat People SOS LA<\/strong>\u00a0was awarded $181,200 to address critical social service needs of people within the Vietnamese community, many of whom live and work in isolation as commercial fishermen. \u00a0\u201cCan you imagine losing everything once when fleeing Vietnam, only to lose everything again in Katrina and the oil spill?\u201d said Dr. Thang Nguyen, national executive director of Boat People SOS. \u201cIt\u2019s not just a language barrier. \u00a0The Vietnamese people are very proud, and they don\u2019t like the stigma of having to ask for help.\u201d \u00a0The grant specifically trains members of the Vietnamese community to serve as\u00a0Peer Companions<\/em>\u00a0which guarantees they and their peers receive the social services they need.<\/p>\n Just the Right Attitude<\/strong>\u00a0was awarded $170,000 to provide hot meals five days a week to over 120 families. Based in New Orleans East, this food pantry provides for families from Jefferson to St. Bernard Parishes. \u201cWe feed Caucasians, African Americans, Asians, and Hispanics,\u201d said Executive Director Debra South Jones. \u201cWe\u2019re also introducing a healthy diet of fresh greens like spinach and mustard greens to residents who might not normally have a stable diet.\u201d Over the course of one year, Just the Right Attitude will distribute groceries to 19,800 households.<\/p>\n The Nature Conservancy<\/strong>\u00a0was awarded $118,250 to support its planning work for the Lower Mississippi River. \u201cThere is a lot of planning going on to protect the coast, and we want to be sure we include the Lower Mississippi River in these efforts,\u201d said Karen Gautreaux, director of government affairs for the Louisiana office of the Nature Conservancy. The grant will allow stakeholders and special interest groups to formulate a vision of prosperity for the Lower Mississippi River.<\/p>\n