News and Updates

This month's City Hall Spotlight is on Kimberly LaGrue, Chief Information Officer for City of New Orleans Information Technology & Innovation. Click the link below to read our interview with Ms. LaGrue. 

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.

This month's City Hall Spotlight is on Charles E. Allen III, Resilience Outreach Manager at the City's Office of Resilience and Sustainability. Mr. Allen has been a cherished partner to the Neighborhood Engagement Office, working day in and day out to educate residents on the importance of resilience in our communities. Click the link below to read our interview with Mr. Allen.

On Saturday, September 30th, the Neighborhood Engagement Office hosted 60 residents, neighborhood, and community leaders at the Treme Center for a Training Day on catch basin clean-ups. 

The Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans celebrated the completion of the Aurora Rain Garden with residents in Algiers in April. The rain garden will collect and filter stormwater in order to reduce flooding and mitigate subsidence. The Neighborhood Engagement Office had the privilege to attend the completion ceremony for the Aurora Rain Garden in Algiers. Located at the corner of Westchester Street and Carlisle Court, this exciting project will be a valuable resource for the community. Read more about the project here.