Hands On New Orleans

THE MISSION OF HANDSON NEW ORLEANS IS TO ENGAGE, EMPOWER, AND TRANSFORM OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH VOLUNTEER SERVICE. IN 2006, THE NATIONAL HANDSON NETWORK ORGANIZED HURRICANE KATRINA RELIEF AND REBUILDING EFFORTS BY ESTABLISHING A PRESENCE IN NEW ORLEANS. IN 2008, THE ORGANIZATION BECAME AN INDEPENDENTLY OPERATED AFFILIATE UNDER ITS OWN 501C3 STATUS. IN 2009, HANDSON NETWORK MERGED WITH POINTS OF LIGHT, THE WORLD'S LARGEST VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION.FROM 2009-2011, HANDSON NEW ORLEANS EVOLVED FROM A DISASTER RESPONSE PROJECT INTO A THRIVING VOLUNTEER ACTION CENTER FOR GRASSROOTS SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES. IN 2012, THE ORGANIZATION DEEPENED ITS COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION THROUGH A SUITE OF SYNERGISTIC PROGRAMS AND COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS TO BENEFIT LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS. BY LEVERAGING CORE STRENGTHS OF VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT, HIGH-IMPACT SERVICE PROJECTS, AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT, HANDSON STRENGTHENS FAMILIES AND TRANSFORMS NEIGHBORHOODS. THE ORGANIZATION'S WORK IMPROVES ACCESS TO RESOURCES, SUPPORTS EDUCATIONAL EQUITY, PROMOTES HEALTHY EATING AND ACTIVE LIFESTYLES, AND SUSTAINS THE NATURAL AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT THROUGH BLIGHT REDUCTION AND CONSERVATION PROJECTS. THIS CONTINUATION PROJECT WILL FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS IN VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT, COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION, AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT. THE THREE-FOLD GOALS ARE 1) TO FACILITATE ACCESS TO SERVICES AND RESOURCES THAT IMPROVE FINANCIAL LITERACY WITH THE OUTCOME OF INCREASED NUMBER OF LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS USING VITA SERVICES; 2) TO REDUCE CHILDHOOD OBESITY BY INCREASING ACCESS TO SAFE, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LOCATIONS AND BY INCREASING ACCESS TO FRESH FOODS; AND 3) TO INCREASE DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCY. TO THIS END, HANDSON IS REQUESTING EIGHT VISTAS WITH THE CAPACITY BUILDING GOAL OF EXPANDING THE ORGANIZATION'S SCALE/REACH AS WE PROVIDE NEW/EXPANDED TYPES OF SERVICES. THE VISTAS WILL CREATE AND IMPLEMENT PROCEDURES TO IMPROVE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF LOCAL VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT , DEVELOP COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS , IMPLEMENT DISASTER MANAGEMENT BEST PRACTICES, LEVERAGE FUNDING, SUPPORT COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND ENGAGEMENT AND ENHANCE ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS. IN ADDITION, HANDSON IS REQUESTING 25 SUMMER ASSOCIATES VIA OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK TO SUPPORT SUMMER FEEDING PROGRAMS IN ORLEANS, EVANGELINE, IBERIA, JEFFERSON, LAFAYETTE, ST. TAMMANY, PLAQUEMINES, ST. CHARLES, ST. LANDRY AND TERREBONNE PARISH SUMMER CAMPS AND SENIOR CENTERS.