As we near the holidays, celebrations center around the warmth of home. But many people do not have a home. According to Unity of Greater New Orleans local rates of homelessness is up 20 percent in the last two years. Below are a few of the nonprofits that help the unhoused and how to support their efforts.
Unity of Greater New Orleans
Unity is the lead agency for a collaborative of 60 organizations in the metro area working to prevent, reduce and end homelessness by providing housing and services. Monetary donations can be made directly to Unity. Unity accepts donations of household goods and furniture at the warehouse (move-in kits of essentials are provided to recently housed individuals and families). Volunteers sort and organize donations at Unity’s warehouse, unitygno.org
Ozanam Inn
Serving the unhoused since 1955, Ozanam Inn provides daily food, clothing, shelter and showers; counseling and case management, medical services, prescription and over-the-counter medication, employment and educational skills, spiritual services, legal counsel and housing programs. Donate and volunteer at ozanaminn.org
St. Joseph Rebuild Center
This low barrier (no ID or age requirement) day shelter is a collaboration of three separate agencies in one location: the Harry Thompson Center, Lantern Light Ministry and DePaul USA. Services include hygiene facilities, hospitality, over-the-counter medication and first aid, weekday lunches, foodbank, help obtaining documentation and ID, health and housing navigation, and transitional support. Donate, volunteer and more at stjosephchurch-no.org/ st-joseph-rebuild-center
Covenant House New Orleans
Covenant House provides emergency shelter, food and clothing, onsite healthcare, educational counseling, job coaching, help with life skills and transitional housing support for youth ages 16 to 22. Donations and volunteers. Donations of clothing, unwrapped Christmas gifts, and household items accepted space permitting. covenanthousenola.org
United Way of Southeast Louisiana
While UWSELA doesn’t directly assist with providing housing, they provide services that are essential to the process. They work with partner organizations on such things as lease agreements and job searches. UWSELA is one of the partner organizations of Home For Good New Orleans, a community wide initiative to help the unhoused transition to permanent housing. UWSELA’s Prosperity Center offers financial education and coaching to help residents of Southeast Louisiana achieve and maintain financial stability. Donateand volunteer at unitedwaysela.org; homeforgoodneworleans.org
Grace at the Greenlight
With the mission of meeting the basic needs of the unhoused in a loving manner that embraces the human spirit, Grace supplies hot breakfast 365 days a year, food bags, water (there are 12 water locations), clothing, community and case management. Grace’s Going Home program reunites unhosued adults with their families. Monetary, clothing and hygiene item donations. Donate and volunteer at Graceatthegreenlight.org
Other Agencies
- Travelers Aid Society of Greater New Orleans
travelersaidsocietyneworleans.org - New Orleans Mission
neworleansmission.org - Salvation Army
southernusa.salvationarmy.org - Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana
voasela.org - Catholic Charities
ccano.org - Hope House NOLA
thelohm.org - St. Thomas House of Hospitality of the New Orleans Catholic Worker
neworleanscatholicworker.weebly.com - Crecent Care
crescentcare.org - Giving Hope
givinghopenola.com - Mission Rebirth
missionrebirth.com
