Join us for a leisurely bike ride through City Park under the full moon, enjoy a pre and post party at the Cove on Harrison, and help support the continued work of Beacon of Hope!  4 free bikes will be given away!  Click here for more information and to register. 

Beacon of Hope Resource Center and the Gentilly Civic and Improvement Association (GCIA) co-hosted the 2011 Gentilly Open House last Saturday.  The event was a great success with over 115 participants including residents, neighborhood leaders, nonprofits, and public servants attending.  15 neighborhoods in Gentilly presented on recovery work they have been doing for the last five years, current interests and projects, and future goals.  

Public Servants in attendance included Councilperson Arnie Fielkow (and staff person), Tina Metoyer from Councilperson Hedge-Morrell's office, State Rep. Jared Brossett, and Capt. Henry Dean with Officer Henry Newton.  Thank you to all who helped plan the event and who attended!  We hope that you were able to connect with your neighbors, neighborhood associations, and Gentilly resources you may need.  Click here to see more photos. 

The New Orleans Redevelopment Authority (NORA), in its effort to catalyze neighborhood redevelopment, will auction a limited number of Road Home and NORA-owned properties in Orleans Parish.  This single day, live auction is intended to complement continuing neighborhood recovery and to respect the uniqueness of New Orleans' neighborhoods. 

DATE: Saturday, April 2, 2011
TIME: 10:00 a.m.
Location: Xavier University Auditorium
1 Drexel Dr.
New Orleans, LA  70125 

The auction is open to the public.  Registration will be from 8 - 10 a.m. the day of the auction for those intending to bid.  For more information and to see a list of available properties, click here.  

During March a Beacon volunteer group from Norwell High School in Boston helped jump-start a neighborhood project that has had lasting effects in one area of the Lower 9th Ward.  The students were clearing vacant lots on the 2300 block of Charbonnet St. when they found a dilapidated play set in one of the blighted lots.  The students, who were involved in a shop class and robotics team, decided to get materials to fix up the play set!     

The students returned home to Boston after their trip, but residents from across the street continued the repair of the play set.  They bought paint, a new climbing rope and tarp, and built a ladder.  The residents say their kids play on it every evening and it has become a community space with picnic table and all.  Thanks to the Norwell group and the Lower 9th Ward residents, this abandoned play set has been transformed into a new community gathering space! 

For more information on Beacon of Hope's Volunteer Program, visit our website at www.lakewoodbeacon.org or contact our Volunteer Coordinator,Heather Huth.  

Superintendent Ronal Serpas and the Crime Prevention Section will be taking applications for the third citizen police acdemy. The NOPD citizen police academy serves as one component of Chief Serpas' community policing programs.  Participants learn about the criminal justice system and how they can work with law enforcement to address community problems. The citizen police academy meets on Wednesdays from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM for twelve weeks, beginning April 13th.  Click here to apply or contact Sgt. LeVasseur at 504-658-559.