New Orleans
New Orleans Transportation Project Gets Green Light
The Rebuild Center in New Orleans has signed off on a Depaul USA-sponsored transportation project for the homeless. The project envisions van service connecting the Center and its clients with overnight shelters, medical clinics, the St. Vincent de Paul pharmacy, shops, and other services.
The Rebuild Center is located on the grounds of the parish of St. Joseph's Church, a Vincentian parish in the shadow of the Superdome. Created in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the Center serves hundreds of women and men weekly, offering meals, hygiene services (private showers, wash basins, laundry rooms), legal assistance, mail delivery, and outreach to the community's growing Hispanic population.
Earlier this year, Depaul USA met with representatives of the Center to determine how it could support the Center's work or fill gaps in existing services. The parties agreed that the Center's clients could benefit from better access to services across the city. Under the proposed project, Depaul USA will raise funds to purchase a church van and hire a part time driver. Center staff will administer a questionnaire to clients in the coming days to test the hypothesis that better transportation will allow clients to access more services, and improve the quality of their lives. The questionnaire will also assist Depaul USA and the Center in planning transportation routes. Depaul USA Executive Director Chuck Levesque said, "This exciting project will allow Depaul USA to support the great work of the Center and also position us for future projects in New Orleans."
