New Orleans Neighborhoods Partnership Network

Neighborhood Liaisons are the bedrock program of the Neighborhoods Partnership Network. Liaisons serve as a bridge between citizens and city government, nonprofits and neighborhood institutions. Over the last 3 years, the Neighborhood Liaison program has provided information, research and technical assistance to over 6,200 people to over 100 neighborhood associations, nonprofits and government agencies. The program’s primary goal is to help our members’ get the information and resources they need to reach their goals.

Outputs and Outcomes

A. Outreach Campaigns
New Orleans Master Plan

With support from Surdna Foundation, The Neighborhoods Partnership Network developed a strategic outreach plan to educate and connect neighborhoods to the citywide Master Plan. Results and acheivements from our liaisons outreach, research and organizing include:

• Engaged 270 persons from neighborhoods throughout the city for a Neighborhood and Community Leader Briefing and Outreach Orientation.
• Trained 30 neighborhood and community leaders from 11 out of 13 planning districts. Created a “candidate assessment tool” with the help of a two-day training by the http://www.rightquestion.org/ Question Project
• Developed and distributed 40,000 “Citizens’ Guide to the City’s Master Plan”, encouraging residents to read, understand, and provide input to the final master plan. Partners included Gambit Communications and The New Orleans Tribune.
• Hosted 3 Forums on City of New Orleans Master Plan.
• Outreach and awareness campaign at over 50 community meetings including public hearings with the City Planning Commission and City Council.
• Hosted a NOLA Master Plan Q & A session between the City Planning Commission and New Orleans Residents who had questions or concerns regarding the Master Plan. See video below:

Master Plan Q & A at NPN from Neighborhoods Partnership Networ on Vimeo.

Orleans Neighborhood Health Implementation Plan (ONHIP)
In partnership with the Louisiana Public Health Institute and Concordia LLC, NPN is gathering feedback on the key challenges that prevent neighborhoods from being healthy, holistic communities. In its first year, NPN Liaisons are working with 12 neighborhoods pursuing a “Healthy Neighborhood” projects such as community gardens and neighborhood park restoration.

Citizen Participation Process
Through a partnership with the Committee for a Better New Orleans (CBNO) NPN liaisons were able to organize 19 customized Citizen Participation Project presentations for neighborhoods, reaching 344 residents. This helped sign up 55 residents who became active participants in the CPP initiative.

B. The Best Practices Binder
Created in May 2008, the Best Practices Binders a compilation of over 100 templates, models and documents collected from local neighborhood groups and nonprofits. The ability to create this Binder is due in large part to the liaisons’ trusting relationships with neighborhood leaders and nonprofit staff. Neighborhoods furnished NPN liaisons with their own surveys, by-laws and block-captain guides.

By The Numbers

48 Total Physical Binders Distributed
30 Binders To Neighborhood Groups
18 Binders To Non-Profit Organizations
13 Neighborhood Contributors
30 Nonprofit Contributors

Members Receive Free Hard Copy
Version 1.0 Available in Chapters Here