Who We Are: A collective of non-profit agencies serving New Orleans musicians, Mardi Gras Indians, and Social Aid & Pleasure Club members. Since Hurricane Katrina, a network of service providers and music institutions has worked tirelessly to revitalize New Orleans’ music community. Sweet Home New Orleans (SHNO) is an umbrella organization that integrates these efforts, connects musicians to an array of services, and provides direct assistance for housing.
Our Mission: to revitalize the music and cultural community within the neighborhoods of New Orleans by helping our tradition bearers to access resources and secure stable, affordable housing.
Wardell Quezergue: The legendary arranger/composer behind such classics as “Mr. Big Stuff”, “Groove Me”, and “Big Chief” is back in New Orleans thanks to the collaborative effort of SHNO partners.
Al ‘Carnival Time’ Johnson
: The New Orleans R&B Icon will return to the city with help from SHNO partners. The Arabi Wrecking Krewe is currently raising funds to ensure that New Orleans will have Carnival Time all the time.
Programs:
Outreach
Many displaced musicians, Mardi Gras Indians, and Social Aid & Pleasure Club members do not have access to the up-to-date information they need to return home.
Since Hurricane Katrina, SHNO partner agencies have contacted thousands of these households. SHNO actively seeks out these individuals and others in the community to update them on the latest available resources.
Case Management
Our social workers assess clients’ needs on a case-by-case basis and advocate on their behalf to all appropriate public and private organizations for assistance. Tradition bearers that speak to a SHNO case manager are connected to all of our partnering agencies. This case management model allows for coordinated responses to complex problems: for a displaced musician to return home, her spouse may need medical care, her children may need to be enrolled in a new school, and she may need assistance securing a new apartment. SHNO works with clients to develop a strategy to address their needs, and access resources to help implement it.
Rental assistance
Pre-Katrina, most tradition bearers in New Orleans rented their homes. With the drastic loss of affordable housing units in the city, the cost of renting has risen prohibitively for many of them. Homeowners in need of temporary housing while they renovate are also affected by the new market. With help from a generous donation from the band STYX, SHNO offers rent subsidies to close the gap between tradition bearers’ cost of living before and after the flood.
Financial Fitness and Counseling
SHNO makes financial fitness and homebuyer training courses available to all clients through Neighborhood Housing Services’ nationally certified program. SHNO covers tradition bearers’ expenses to encourage participation in these workshops, which help clients maximize their income, reduce debt, and foster asset building.
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San Diego Wildfire Relief & Assistance
