News and Updates

On December 2^nd, Neighborhood Engagement Office in partnership with Lower 9th Ward Center for Sustainable Engagement and Development (CSED), hosted over 400 leaders from across the city at 6th annual New Orleans Neighborhood Summit. This year's theme was Celebrating 300 years of Resilient Neighborhoods: Laying a Strong Foundation for the Future. The theme was centered on strengthening resident’s capacity to build a stronger more resilient city and provide a platform for building stronger relationships between neighbors, community partners, and local government. This theme of strength and resilience was woven throughout the workshops focused on issues ranging from affordable housing and community policing to coastal affairs and emergency preparedness. Engaged participants shared their experiences and expertise in these veins and made many connections across neighborhood lines.

Throughout the day, leaders engaged with over 25 city and nonprofit agencies ranging from the Health Department, NORDC, NOLA Ready and the Office of Resilient and Sustainability. Following the resource fair, Mayor Landrieu provided remarks to the bustling crowd of residents on the importance of public participation and accountability. During his remarks he welcomed Mayor-Elect Cantrell and they both discussed the importance that of a successful transition as well as for the need for government accountability.

During the closing program, the office launched the anticipated Tricentennial Neighborhood Grant program, announced the winners of the neighborhood photo contest as well as distributed awards to community leaders who've contributed to making New Orleans more resilient. This event was truly a success, as residents left informed and connected to initiatives and opportunities to  do their part in ensuring that together, we can make  New Orleans a more resilient city. 

Thanks to our sponsor, Restore the Mississippi River Delta, J.P. Morgan Chase and NOLA for Life! Learn more about restoring our coast, why it’s critical to New Orleans, and how you can help at www.mississippiriverdelta.org.

Adopt-a-Catch Basin: 
District Clean-ups

Please join the Neighborhood Engagement Office for catch basin clean-up days each Saturday in October in a designated council district. Volunteers and residents will work together to clear vegetation and debris from around catch basins in their respective neighborhoods. 

The Neighborhood Engagement Office would like to announce the next term of its most popular initiative, Civic Leadership Academy (CLA). This is an engaging 8 week program that provides residents with an in-depth look at City government. The program includes tours, hands-on demonstrations and presentations that give participants an insider view of how the City of New Orleans operates. 

On Saturday, April 29, Civic Leadership Academy students were treated to a fascinating tour of the Sewerage and Water Board Plant by General Superintendent, Joe Becker. Highlights of the tour included visiting the full scale power plant, and an in depth look at the New Orleans water purification process. Partipants were amazed to find that SWB pumps have the capacity to fill an Olympic-size swimming pool in 1.5 seconds! It was a very informative morning.