NEW ORLEANS — From November 17 – 23, the New Orleans Women & Children’s Shelter (NOWCS) will join organizations nationwide in honoring National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, an annual program developed to draw attention to the problems of hunger and homelessness through a series of educational, advocacy and fundraiser programming. This year, the Shelter will launch its first Week of Giving and Matching Gift Challenge, bringing awareness to the essential needs of homeless children and families in the greater New Orleans region. NOWCS is also celebrating the Shelter’s new Mid-City facility, which will welcome its first participants in early 2025.
“We have assisted more than 4,500 individuals since we opened our doors in 2007 – the majority of whom are children,” said Dawn Bradley-Fletcher, CEO. “Participants enter the Shelter unsure of their future or where to turn. Through skilled, carefully curated programming, holistic care and daily support, home becomes a reality. The impact of this work on our community, our economy and our city’s future generations is immeasurable.
This first-ever Week of Giving coincides with the Shelter’s “Home at Last” capital campaign, raising funds to support its new Mid-City facility.
Key initiatives in the month of November include:
Annual Week of Giving and Matching Gift Challenge
Sunday, Nov. 17 – Saturday, Nov. 23
In honor of this week of awareness, NOWCS is the grateful recipient of a $20,000 challenge grant from an anonymous donor to incentivize first-time gifts to the Shelter. The donor wishes to encourage members of the community to consider their own support of homeless families here in greater New Orleans. All first-time donations will be matched, up to a total of $20,000. In addition to first-time gifts, NOWCS is welcoming previous donors to continue their invaluable support and is asking the larger community to think of the Shelter at the holidays through gifts of items and by signing up to volunteer. More information and a virtual tour of the new facility are available here.
Thanksgiving Basket Giveaway
Tuesday, November 26
Members of the press are invited to join the Shelter as they welcome current participants in the Transition Assistance Program (TAP). Families will collect Thanksgiving baskets, complete with a whole turkey and all the fixings for a holiday meal at home. This year, the Shelter aims to dispense 75 baskets to local families in TAP. Baskets have been made possible by Shiloh Gardens Academy & Early Learning Center, Mullin Landscaping, Top Box Foods, Melissa Stein, Ochsner, Strong City and New Hope Baptist Church.
*Press and media invited to join the giveaway from 11 a.m. to noon at the Shelter’s current location (2625 Iberville, New Orleans). Interviews will be available.
Lakeside Gowns of Giving Holiday Showcase
Friday, November 8 – Wednesday, Dec. 25
NOWCS will participate in the Lakeside Gowns of Giving showcase, joining other local nonprofits in the decoration of a mannequin representing their organization, the base of which is formed by a Christmas tree (or “gown”). Shoppers will have the opportunity to vote for NOWCS’ “gown” and view selections of children’s drawings depicting their idea of home.
“For 18 years we have worked to make a difference for families most in need, and we could not do it without our community partners and donors,” said board president David Schlakman. “As we prepare to welcome families to a beautiful new facility, we are reflecting on where we’ve been and where we intend to go as an organization. For our families, there is simply no place like home.”
NOWCS is the only homeless shelter for intact families (including fathers) and the largest homeless shelter for women and children in the metro area. NOWCS’ new Mid-City facility will allow it to double its current capacity – from 50 to 100 participants – and increase services provided through its Transition Assistance Program (TAP), which helps with 18 months of support after a family leaves the Shelter. Services include case management; employment, education and life skills training for adults; children’s programs and assistance locating housing — all at no cost to the family. Since its inception, less than 2% of NOWCS participants have returned to homelessness.
To learn more about the New Orleans Women & Children’s Shelter and its programming, visit www.nowcs.org, or find the organization on Facebook (@NOWCS), Twitter or Instagram (@NOWCShelter). To find out how you can support New Orleans families experiencing homelessness, please visit www.nowcs.org/support.
About the New Orleans Women & Children’s Shelter: The only homeless shelter for intact families and the largest homeless shelter for women and children in the metro area, the New Orleans Women & Children’s Shelter (NOWCS) is committed to breaking the cycle of homelessness while keeping families together through coordinated, family-centered support and services. Since 2007, NOWCS has served more than 4,500 parents and children recovering from homelessness. Less than 2% of the people NOWCS has served have returned to homelessness. For more information, visit www.nowcs.org.
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