WHAT NEW ORLEANS NEIGHBORHOOD DO YOU LIVE IN/WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?
I live in Mid-City, and I’m originally from Canada.
DESCRIBE YOUR JOB TO US!
As the Community Engagement Coordinator for the New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, I work with non-profits, community organizations and residents to prepare, responde, and recover from disasters. I also help recruit and train NOLA Ready volunteers for City Assisted Evacuation, to ensure that our most vulnerable residents can get out safely in teh event of a major hurricane.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR CAREER PATH.
I worked for many years as a community organizer focused on social and environmental justice issues. As climate changes intensifies and extreme weather impacts our communities more frequently, working in emergency management was a clear next step for me, as it’s a tangible way to help people who are the most vulnerable in our community, and take an active role in equitable disaster response and recovery.
WHAT ASPECTS OF YOUR JOB DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST?
No two days are the same. I get to work on a variety of issues, from hurricane preparedness to COVID19 and food relief. I love that I get to work with and support passionate and courageous community leaders, non-profit organizations, and first responders who are willing to give it their all when it comes to disaster response and recovery.
WHAT CHALLENGES DO YOU FIND TO BE THE GREATEST IN YOUR ROLE?
This last year has been filled with many challenges, as we are navigating the COVID19 pandemic now intersecting with an active hurricane season. It's a constantly shifting landscape, and requires endurance, perseverance, creativity, and team work to stay focused and keep innovating to find new resources and ways to support our residents through it all.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT NEW ORLEANS?
My favourite thing about New Orleans is the people - I love how kind and warm New Orleanians are, and the joyful and resilient spirit of this city.
If you are a community organization or house of worship that would like to be more involved in COVID19 relief efforts, please email Leila at Leila.darwish@nola.gov. If you are interested in getting trained up and volunteering with NOLA Ready this hurricane season, check out the training schedule at: https://ready.nola.gov/stay-connected/volunteer-(1)/evacuation-volunteers/