News and Updates

This spring, NEO celebrated 36 community leaders as they graduated from the Civic Leadership Academy (CLA). CLA is a free program that gives residents the opportunity to educate themselves about City government so that they can improve their communities. It provides an in-depth look at local government as well as opportunities for residents to interact with City staff and elected officials.  CLA is composed of eight interactive sessions, led by representatives from City departments. NEO is proud to have hosted these leaders and to have observed how eager they were to engage in this process. It is the hope that they will return to their neighborhood better equipped to solve problems and improve the quality of life in our City.

Register now for the New Orleans Police Department's Citizen's Police Academy. Through the academy, participants will learn about community policing, patrol duties, new technologies, specialized division, crime lab, and more. The academy will meet Wednesday evenings from 6pm to 9pm starting June 22 and lasting through August 10. Space is limited!

The second cohort of Civic Leadership Academy graduated 40 leaders on Nov. 18th. Participants were greeted by Mayor Landrieu who encouraged the group to use their recently obtained knowledge of City government to strengthen their communities.

The Neighborhood Engagement Office, with support from NeighborWorks America, Dillard University, Foundation for Louisiana, and the Lower 9th Ward Center for Sustainable Engagement and Development, hosted the 4th annual New Orleans Neighborhood Summit on Saturday Nov. 14th. With over 200 attending residents, four distinct workshop tracks, participation from City agencies and community partners, and an address from the Mayor, the day was a jam-packed success!

In this month's Neighborhood Spotlight, we hear from Victor Gordon, president of the Pontilly Neighborhood Association.  Mr. Gordon shares the history of an organization founded on collaboration, his passion for his community, and information on upcoming Hurricane Katrina commemoration events.