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NEW ORLEANS — Mayor LaToya Cantrell today announced the launch this week of the “Neighborhood Navigators” program to more effectively help residents access resources — especially those related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This was an idea that grew from my on-the-ground, grassroots organizing in the trenches in that post-Katrina environment, where the neighborhood leaders were on the ground ensuring that New Orleans came back better and stronger by focusing on all of our people. Neighborhood Navigators is where neighbors help other neighbors. They’re representing the communities they live in. They’re familiar with their residents and all of the neighborhood’s fabric,” said Mayor Cantrell. “That is so essential, because it’s about building relationships, creating safe spaces for our people so they can navigate government systems, programs and opportunities to advance the health and wellbeing of all of our people.”
“The Neighborhood Engagement Office will empower and train neighborhood association presidents, executive boards and nonprofits to become Neighborhood Navigators for residents in order to better assist them in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as housing, payroll protection and unemployment,” said Justyn Hawkins, Deputy Director, Neighborhood Engagement Office. “In addition, Neighborhood Navigators will provide residents with important and timely information as it relates to the pandemic and the needs of their communities. We are committed to bridging the gap between the residents and government agencies and providing them with access to available resources and up-to-date information related to the current health crisis.”
The first phase of what is a planned one-year program includes as many as 34 Neighborhood Navigators covering every City Council district. Currently 14 have been identified and completed training with support from the Neighborhood Engagement Office staff. Navigators have been trained on resources such as CARES Act benefits (housing, PPP, unemployment benefits), contact tracing and tax assistance. As the situation changes, the City will provide additional training sessions.
Residents interested in connecting with a Neighborhood Navigator can call 3-1-1 or visit online at nola311.org/navigator. Once the call or online form is processed, a Navigator will be assigned according to the City Council district.
“NOLA-311 is here to meet the needs of the residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, which includes increased services to provide residents with greater access to City agencies and programs and increasing availability for resident services requests to be placed online at nola.gov/311,” said Tyrell Morris, Director, Orleans Parish Communication District. “I want to thank our partners at Quick Base for providing the technology that allows us to so quickly and efficiently process resident requests and connect with other City agencies.”
The Neighborhood Navigator program is funded through the Kellogg Equity Grant with a match from The Mayor’s Fund, Forward Together New Orleans.
Mayor Cantrell was also joined by Joshua Cox, Director of Strategic Initiatives, and two Neighborhood Navigators: Marguerite Doyle-Johnston, President, Upper 9th Ward Neighborhood Association, and Pastor Jonathan Everett, Rock of Ages Baptist Church.
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