Tag Archives: new orleans

Rachel Luginbuhl |

This August marks 20 years since Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, forever altering the landscape of New Orleans and the lives of its residents. The storm made landfall on August 29, 2005, breaching levees, flooding neighborhoods, and displacing hundreds of thousands of people. Among those hit hardest were school-aged children, who found themselves suddenly without homes, classrooms, or the routines that once gave them a sense of stability.

In the immediate aftermath of the storm, the city’s public education system was in shambles. Of New Orleans’ 128 public school buildings, 100 were destroyed or rendered unusable. The 2005–2006 school year came to a standstill. By November 2005, fewer than 10 schools had reopened. By December of the following year, just 55 public schools were operating-  less than half of the city’s original total.

It wasn’t just the physical infrastructure that changed, the state of Louisiana took control of most of the city’s public schools. This move began a sweeping, and controversial, transformation of the city’s education system. All edu­ca­tors were fired, and the union con­tract was allowed to expire. Almost all atten­dance zones were elim­i­nat­ed so that fam­i­lies, in prin­ci­ple, could choose any pub­licly fund­ed school in the city.

This new system brought both opportunities and challenges. Supporters pointed to academic gains and increased school choice for families. Critics raised concerns about equity, oversight, and long-term community involvement. What remained constant, however, was the need for ongoing support—especially for students from low-income families who were navigating trauma, poverty, and systemic change all at once.

It was during this pivotal time that Children Incorporated began its work in New Orleans.

In 2007 Ron Carter—our Assistant Director of Appalachian Programs and newly appointed Director of Urban Programs—was expanding Children Incorporated’s reach into urban areas. He had just launched our very first partnership with Communities In Schools in Richmond, Virginia, and saw a similar opportunity in Louisiana. Recognizing the urgent needs following the storm, Children Incorporated reached out to Communities In Schools of New Orleans, where he connected with then-Executive Director Sara Massey. After many thoughtful conversations and a thorough vetting process, Sara saw that Children Incorporated would be a reliable and compassionate partner in rebuilding student support systems.

Thanks to Ron’s dedication, Children Incorporated established its first affiliated site in New Orleans: Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary. This was quickly followed by additional school partnerships at four other schools, allowing us to support even more students through one of the most challenging periods in the city’s history.

Over the years, Children Incorporated has supplied essential resources such as school uniforms, shoes, hygiene products, rain gear, and books to students. These supports help reduce barriers so children can attend regularly and participate effectively. Through sponsorship and site-coordinator partnerships, Children Incorporated has provided winter coats, laptop computers, food deliveries, and even utility bill assistance to families. In one school, Children Incorporated helped students establish an edible garden, where children grew fruits and vegetables for cooking classes—housing hands-on learning, nutrition exposure, and teamwork.

Today, we’re proud to continue that legacy through our ongoing partnership with Communities In Schools Gulf South.

By the end of the state takeover 13 years lat­er, all of the city’s schools were con­vert­ed to char­ter schools, and New Orleans schools were reuni­fied into one dis­trict gov­erned by the local school board and super­in­ten­dent. By 2015, it became the first major U.S. city to have a school system composed entirely of charter schools. While the city’s school system has evolved dramatically over the last 20 years, one thing hasn’t changed: the need for consistent, personalized support for students who are overcoming the odds—both in school and in life.

As we reflect on the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, we honor the resilience of New Orleans and the strength of its students, families, and educators. We also recognize the importance of long-term partnerships and the role each of us can play in building brighter futures—no matter what storms may come.

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Want to be part of a story that’s still unfolding?

You can sponsor a child in one of three ways:

SPONSOR A CHILD

Shelley Callahan | En Español

Located twenty minutes from downtown New Orleans, the city’s eastern 9th Ward is a tight-knit community of over 65,000 residents. “The East,” as most locals call it, started off in the 1960s as a suburban-style area within the city limits. Beginning in the mid-1980s, this region began to decline into a state of poverty. The city’s public schools system, notorious for being one of the worst in the country, only perpetuated the problem into the next generation. Then came the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

In the storm’s wake, countless businesses – and even hospitals – opted not to re-open, leaving the residents of an already-troubled community severely underserviced. Recovery has been slow. In an area prone to crime and littered with abandoned buildings and homes, kids face significant barriers to their ability to succeed in school.

In addition to having difficulty concentrating in school, some of the children lost their homes for a second time in their young lives.

At the ReNEW Schaumburg Elementary School, staff work hard to help children overcome these obstacles. Founded in 1965, the school was originally part of the New Orleans public schools system. It became a ReNEW charter school in 2013; and today, it is the largest school in the city, with 875 children in grades kindergarten through eight. The dedicated faculty strives to innovatively prepare students for college and beyond, providing personalized attention to each student’s educational and non-academic needs. The ReNEW Schaumburg Elementary School also offers an advanced Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) lab and a world-class library.

When disaster strikes

In February of 2017, a tornado severely damaged the ReNEW Schaumburg Elementary School building and the surrounding New Orleans East community. School was in session and children were in the building when the tornado struck. The administration, faculty, and staff earned acclaim from city officials for keeping the children safe and maintaining order during the tornado, and no one was injured.

Renée with Erin and one of our sponsored children

After the storm was over, the school was vacated for repairs. As kids were shifted to a temporary facility, they found themselves in overcrowded classrooms that were cramped and uncomfortable. Some of the children suffered emotional trauma due to having experienced the tornado and the transition to a new school. Their test scores dropped as a result of these factors.

In addition to having difficulty concentrating in school, some of the children lost their homes for a second time in their young lives. Students who were in grades six and above had lived through Hurricane Katrina, and now they faced yet another natural disaster in their short lifetimes. Twenty-five homes were damaged, and most of the families did not have renter’s insurance. As families worked to rebuild their lives, they lived with other families, often sleeping on couches in tight quarters.

Excited to read

Erin is our volunteer coordinator at ReNEW Schaumburg Elementary School. On a recent trip to visit the school, our Director of U.S. Programs, Renée Kube, met with Erin. Erin told Renée that she loves our sponsorship program. While Erin focuses on providing basic needs such as clothing and shoes to our sponsored and unsponsored children, she is also a big believer in supporting literacy and a true love of reading. She participates in the Lollipop Book Club, through which she orders books for kids, and they receive a wrapped book and lollipop. Erin can shop for books by reader age or search by theme, such as John Newbery Medal winners. She said that the kids get really excited about their books.

Erin also expressed to Renée that she appreciates when sponsors send additional gifts to their sponsored children, because they allow her to take time to really be thoughtful and personal about the items she chooses for sponsored children. She often spends the extra funds on hygiene and grooming items – something that she feels the children need very often, especially while living in transitional environments.

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HOW DO I SPONSOR A CHILD IN NEW ORLEANS?

You can sponsor a child in New Orleans in one of two ways: call our office at 1-800-538-5381 and speak with one of our staff members, or email us at sponsorship@children-inc.org.

SPONSOR A CHILD

Shelley Callahan | En Español

A vital port on the renowned Mississippi River, the city of New Orleans is steeped in culture and history. Even so, areas of this historic city have long struggled with poverty and its socioeconomic effects. The neighborhoods surrounding the Success Preparatory Academy are no exception. Located in a very old and run-down section of New Orleans, abandoned and boarded-up homes line the streets, most dating back to the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in August of 2005, serving as an outward sign of the daily struggles that residents face.

As a result of these circumstances, the Success Preparatory Academy serves as a beacon of hope and a safe haven for children living in New Orleans. Its friendly and professional staff creates a warm, welcoming environment where children feel secure – a sentiment that they may not experience in their difficult home lives – and receive a well-rounded education.

Higher education is the focus

Rachel pictured with one of our sponsored children.

Located on Bienville Street in the Lower Mid-City/Treme neighborhood, not far from the historic French Quarter, the Success Preparatory Academy offers children a curriculum that prepares them for college; and it is complemented by a variety of after-school activities, because the administration believes that even before children reach high school, it is important to emphasize the importance of higher education to them, so that they will have more opportunities to succeed in the future.

Eighty-seven percent of the children that attend the Success Preparatory Academy come from low-income families. Children are required to wear uniforms there – khaki pants or skirts. The uniforms consist of polo shirts with the school logo, and they are color-coded by grades: kindergarten through grade five wear maroon, sixth and seventh grades wear navy, and eighth-graders wear gray. Students are allowed to wear college sweatshirts of any color over their uniform shirts. Children Incorporated provides our sponsored and unsponsored kids with these sweatshirts.

Since the Success Preparatory Academy embraces a focus on college preparation, university banners from across the country decorate the halls. Teachers adorn their classrooms with items and colors from the universities that they attended. On certain days, the students may wear college tee shirts if they’ve been receiving good grades and have been behaving well.

A need for fresh fruits and vegetables

Our volunteer coordinator at the school is Rachel. On a recent visit to the Success Preparatory Academy, Rachel told our Director of U.S. Programs, Renée Kube, that her greatest need at the school is help with basic necessities – especially with offering fresh produce to the children. She said that the sponsored and unsponsored kids there love fresh fruit, but that most don’t ever have any in their homes; and the corner stores in their neighborhoods don’t sell them. There is a “food desert” in the middle of a bustling city.

Since the Success Preparatory Academy embraces a focus on college preparation, university banners from across the country decorate the halls.

A food desert is an area where fresh fruits and vegetables are not available. Large parts of New Orleans – specifically the poorer sections – don’t have grocery stores. Instead, they have corner markets where one can purchase snacks and some canned goods, but not nutritious whole foods.

“If families have transportation barriers or illnesses, or mobility problems or other obstacles to getting out of their neighborhoods, what they’re limited to are these little corner stores,” said Renée. “For thousands of families, fresh fruits and vegetables just can’t be found.”

Helping to keep the water running

While visiting the school, Renée also had the chance to meet with one of our sponsored children, Ricky*, who has a special sponsor that supports him well beyond sponsorship. With the additional money that his sponsor sends, Rachel has had the opportunity to purchase an entire winter wardrobe and a laptop computer for Ricky. The money has also helped Ricky’s mom to pay their water bill down so that their water would not be turned off, which was a huge help to his family. Last holiday season, Ricky’s sponsor purchased a Thanksgiving meal – from the paper products to the pecan pie – for his entire family.

Ricky’s mom is so thankful for the assistance that he receives. As a single mother raising her kids and grandkids, she tries hard to make ends meet – but it is really difficult for her to generate enough income to support everyone. According to Rachel, Ricky’s mom says that the Children Incorporated program has changed the lives of her entire family.

*Name changed for child’s protection.

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HOW DO I SPONSOR A CHILD IN NEW ORLEANS?

You can sponsor a child in New Orleans in one of two ways: call our office at 1-800-538-5381 and speak with one of our staff members, or email us at sponsorship@children-inc.org.

SPONSOR A CHILD

Shelley Callahan | En Español

It is amazing what our sponsors are willing to do for their sponsored children; and oftentimes, they don’t even realize just how great of an impact they have. Whether it is writing a letter about their family or home life, or sending a special gift for their sponsored kid’s birthday or for the holidays, they have a lasting effect that is powerful. One important way in which sponsors help kids to learn is by sharing their travel stories with their sponsored children, which serves as a window to the world that a child might otherwise not have the opportunity to see.

Time and time again, we hear stories from our volunteer coordinators and directly from children in our program about how the letters, pictures, and postcards that they receive from their sponsors not only make them feel special, but also give them an idea of what life is like outside of their own neighborhoods and schools. Oftentimes, children living in poverty don’t have the opportunity to travel, because it is both expensive and time-consuming to do so.

Oftentimes, children living in poverty don’t have the opportunity to travel, because it is both expensive and time-consuming to do so.

We often hear from children that they have never left the town they are growing up in. Sharing travel stories with sponsored kids lets them know that there are more opportunities in the world for them than they might be able to think of on their own — it helps them to dream big and set goals for themselves, which can in turn encourage them to do well in school so that their futures can be as bright as they can imagine them to be.

While visiting students at Schaumburg Elementary School in New Orleans, Shelley Oxenham, U.S. Projects Specialist, met Desiree*, who has a particularly close relationship with her sponsor. Desiree has a wonderful sponsor who sends her letters about and photos of her travels around the world, which has opened Desiree’s eyes to more possibilities in her own life. Desiree’s sponsor goes so far as to create picture books for her at the beginning of each school year so that Desiree can learn about new places, which also sparks her interest in her own education.

We are endlessly grateful for the investment that all of our sponsors make in the lives of their sponsored children. Whether it is contributing a monthly amount that goes towards providing them with food, clothing, and an education — or going the extra mile and communicating with their sponsored child about their own lives or travel experiences so they can learn about the world outside of their own — it all makes a big difference for children living in poverty.

*Name changed for child’s protection.

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HOW DO I SPONSOR A CHILD IN NEW ORLEANS?

You can sponsor a child in New Orleans in one of two ways: call our office at 1-800-538-5381 and speak with one of our staff members, or email us at sponsorship@children-inc.org.

SPONSOR A CHILD