New Orleans Neighborhoods Partnership Network

April 21st 2010

A VOTE FOR SOSNOLA IS A VOTE FOR THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 13, 2010

Contact:
Lisa M. Daliet
Communications Consultant
504-256-7618

A VOTE FOR SOSNOLA IS A VOTE FOR THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS Local nonprofit up for a $50,000 donation at http://www.remembernola.com/sosnola

NEW ORLEANS, LA — Save Our Schools NOLA (SOSNOLA) has partnered with People to People Ambassador Programs, the leader in global educational travel experiences, to help with ongoing recovery efforts in New Orleans.

SOSNOLA is one of five local nonprofit organizations participating in Remember NOLA, a voter-based campaign where supporters visit http://www.remembernola.com and vote for the organization of their choice.

Supporters can visit the website, watch a video, download a NOLA badge, vote for SOSNOLA and get involved by sharing the site with friends, colleagues and family.
For every download, People to People Ambassadors Program will donate $1 with the goal of making a $50,000 donation to the charity that receives the most online votes. Voters are allowed to cast multiple votes.

People to People Ambassador Programs is also helping New Orleans rebuild this summer with its educational travel program called “Remembering Hurricane Katrina” http://www.peopletopeople.com/katrina. This unique travel experience takes place June 28 – July 6, 2010 and gives participants an opportunity to take an active part in a number of community service projects to impact the citizens of New Orleans. The program also features NFL quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and award-winning filmmaker Spike Lee.

To the question why put a spotlight on New Orleans, People to People Ambassador Programs answers:

• This year marks the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, one of the most devastating natural disasters in U.S. history
• Katrina killed more than 1,600 people, destroyed 200,000 Gulf Coast homes and displaced nearly 1 million people
• To remind citizens through this online campaign to never forget about New Orleans and the ongoing recovery efforts that are still needed
• To show New Orleans the spirit of People to People Ambassador Programs through education and community service
• Provide financial support to a New Orleans charity with a $50,000 donation.

“We’re excited to be a part of such an important campaign and to be recognized by People to People Ambassador Programs as worthy of inclusion” says SOSNOLA Executive Director Angela Daliet. “With $50K we can greatly increase our community training and leadership programs, and engage parents and students in ways that help them positively affect educational equity and excellence for New Orleans families.”

Daliet urges supporters and residents to get involved and vote everyday, several times a day for SOSNOLA. As a grassroots advocacy nonprofit with big plans for 2010, there’s often a disconnection between SOSNOLA’s vision and funding. “We envision a future of high caliber, grade A public school facilities for every child in New Orleans, and a public education system that delivers excellence in instruction, guidance and edification for every one of its students,” says Daliet.

Online voting runs now through May 31, 2010. SOSNOLA will be awarded a $50,000 donation the first week of July if it receives the most votes.

About SOSNOLA
Save Our Schools NOLA is a grassroots nonprofit founded and led by public school parents. SOSNOLA believes when parents and community members are informed and connected around common concerns and a shared vision, they will be effective advocates for equity and excellence in public education, ultimately making New Orleans a better place to live.

SOSNOLA is building parent and community demand for equal access to excellent public schools for children in New Orleans in three specific ways: Informing the community around public education issues; Organizing an allied constituency of parents and residents; Advocating for policy and practice changes that support better equity and quality. Visit http://www.sosnola.org for more information.

About People to People Ambassador Programs
People to People Ambassador Programs offers extraordinary, life-changing educational travel opportunities for students, athletes, educators, and professionals. With nearly 50 years of experience, more than 400,000 alumni, and destinations on seven continents, People to People is the world’s most recognized and respected educational travel provider. # # #

April 21st 2010

A VOTE FOR SOSNOLA IS A VOTE FOR THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 13, 2010

Contact:
Lisa M. Daliet
Communications Consultant
504-256-7618

A VOTE FOR SOSNOLA IS A VOTE FOR THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS Local nonprofit up for a $50,000 donation at http://www.remembernola.com/sosnola

NEW ORLEANS, LA — Save Our Schools NOLA (SOSNOLA) has partnered with People to People Ambassador Programs, the leader in global educational travel experiences, to help with ongoing recovery efforts in New Orleans.

SOSNOLA is one of five local nonprofit organizations participating in Remember NOLA, a voter-based campaign where supporters visit http://www.remembernola.com and vote for the organization of their choice.

Supporters can visit the website, watch a video, download a NOLA badge, vote for SOSNOLA and get involved by sharing the site with friends, colleagues and family.
For every download, People to People Ambassadors Program will donate $1 with the goal of making a $50,000 donation to the charity that receives the most online votes. Voters are allowed to cast multiple votes.

People to People Ambassador Programs is also helping New Orleans rebuild this summer with its educational travel program called “Remembering Hurricane Katrina” http://www.peopletopeople.com/katrina. This unique travel experience takes place June 28 – July 6, 2010 and gives participants an opportunity to take an active part in a number of community service projects to impact the citizens of New Orleans. The program also features NFL quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and award-winning filmmaker Spike Lee.

To the question why put a spotlight on New Orleans, People to People Ambassador Programs answers:

• This year marks the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, one of the most devastating natural disasters in U.S. history
• Katrina killed more than 1,600 people, destroyed 200,000 Gulf Coast homes and displaced nearly 1 million people
• To remind citizens through this online campaign to never forget about New Orleans and the ongoing recovery efforts that are still needed
• To show New Orleans the spirit of People to People Ambassador Programs through education and community service
• Provide financial support to a New Orleans charity with a $50,000 donation.

“We’re excited to be a part of such an important campaign and to be recognized by People to People Ambassador Programs as worthy of inclusion” says SOSNOLA Executive Director Angela Daliet. “With $50K we can greatly increase our community training and leadership programs, and engage parents and students in ways that help them positively affect educational equity and excellence for New Orleans families.”

Daliet urges supporters and residents to get involved and vote everyday, several times a day for SOSNOLA. As a grassroots advocacy nonprofit with big plans for 2010, there’s often a disconnection between SOSNOLA’s vision and funding. “We envision a future of high caliber, grade A public school facilities for every child in New Orleans, and a public education system that delivers excellence in instruction, guidance and edification for every one of its students,” says Daliet.

Online voting runs now through May 31, 2010. SOSNOLA will be awarded a $50,000 donation the first week of July if it receives the most votes.

About SOSNOLA
Save Our Schools NOLA is a grassroots nonprofit founded and led by public school parents. SOSNOLA believes when parents and community members are informed and connected around common concerns and a shared vision, they will be effective advocates for equity and excellence in public education, ultimately making New Orleans a better place to live.

SOSNOLA is building parent and community demand for equal access to excellent public schools for children in New Orleans in three specific ways: Informing the community around public education issues; Organizing an allied constituency of parents and residents; Advocating for policy and practice changes that support better equity and quality. Visit http://www.sosnola.org for more information.

About People to People Ambassador Programs
People to People Ambassador Programs offers extraordinary, life-changing educational travel opportunities for students, athletes, educators, and professionals. With nearly 50 years of experience, more than 400,000 alumni, and destinations on seven continents, People to People is the world’s most recognized and respected educational travel provider. # # #

April 21st 2010

SOSNOLA CELEBRATES PUBLIC SCHOOLS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 16, 2010

Contact:
Lisa M. Daliet
Communications Consultant
504-256-7618

SOSNOLA CELEBRATES PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Festive fundraiser to spotlight local students

NEW ORLEANS, LA — Save Our Schools NOLA is gearing up for its second annual fundraiser to benefit the nonprofit’s advocacy efforts, programs and workshops.

SOSNOLA’s Shindig Fundraiser & Community Celebration will take place Saturday, May 8 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Generations Hall, 310 Andrew Higgins Drive.

SOSNOLA’s Shindig has fast become an anticipated event in part because of the unique opportunity the festive party offers students and those attending. The highlight of the evening will be an engaging presentation by approximately 20 creative public school students—designed to both entertain and enlighten an audience of parents, teachers, school officials, city and state leaders—that reflects on their public education experiences and expresses hopes and dreams for the future.

Guests will also enjoy complimentary premium cocktails, fabulous food including dessert by New Orleans Ice Cream Company, live music by Fredy Omar Quartet, McDonogh 32 Literacy Charter School Marching Band plus other musical guests, a DJ spinning grooves in between sets, a raffle and silent auction of original art and luxury items from local artists, specialty boutiques and salons.

Honorary co-chairs participating in the event are former New Orleans Saints linebacker Pat Swilling and speaker, author, inventor, entrepreneur and former professor Dr. Calvin Mackie. Event co-hosts are Miss New Orleans 2010 Holly Peek and Robin Swilling.

Sponsors for this year’s Shindig include Generations Hall, Loyola Institute for Quality and Equity in Education, Bayou District Foundation, Columbia Parc and New Orleans Ice Cream Company. Supporters include WYLD-FM’s Sunday Journal with Harold Clark, Cox Connexions, silent auction donors Stardust Salon, Soulstice Natural Products, NolaRising and Mariposa Salon & Spa.

The student presentation stems from SOSNOLA’s Student Workshop Series “Finding Our Voices” sponsored by Bayou District Foundation’s Columbia Parc and New Orleans Actors Resource Center (NOARC) and led by SOSNOLA youth coordinator and recording artist Voice Toure. Student participants gain critical training and support that empower them to identify, articulate and deliver their aspirations for the future of local public education.

“Children are bursting with creativity and intelligence and possess an innate capacity to marry the two when given the opportunity,” says Toure. “They just need a sacred space where the process can be nurtured, guided and transformed into its magnificent end result.”

Student are given the opportunity to work with a number of volunteer mentors including, Toure, NOARC’s executive director actor Shanda Quintal, poet and author Nik Richard, poet Chuck Perkins, artist Michael Dingler founder of NolaRising, founder of New Orleans Love for the Arts Project dancer and choreographer Jarrell Hamilton and many others. These artists and mentors help the students tap into and develop skills and talents for the original production written, created, and ultimately performed by them.

Tickets are $50 in advance for general admission, $1000 for VIP tables of 10 and $25 in advance for anyone wishing to sponsor a student, parent or teacher’s attendance to the event. Tickets can be purchased at http://sosnolashindigcelebration.eventbrite.com.

SOSNOLA Executive Director Angela Daliet is available for interviews upon request.

About SOSNOLA
Save Our Schools NOLA is a grassroots nonprofit founded and led by public school parents. SOSNOLA believes when parents and community members are informed and connected around common concerns and a shared vision, they will be effective advocates for equity and excellence in public education, ultimately making New Orleans a better place to live.

SOSNOLA is building parent and community demand for equal access to excellent public schools for children in New Orleans in three specific ways: Informing the community around public education issues; Organizing an allied constituency of parents and residents; Advocating for policy and practice changes that support better equity and quality. Visit http://www.sosnola.org for more information.

About Voice Toure
Voice Touré is a New Orleans-based professional rapper, producer and recording/visual artist with a background and training in audio, video, photography and painting. She is the owner of independent record label Featherperm Records, and will release her sophomore album N.O.L.A. Darling in the fall. She creates music that is empowering to people (specifically her community) and doesn’t glorify or perpetuate ignorance or toxic lifestyles. Voice uses students’ familiarity with Hip Hop music to help them examine themselves, society, the music and their class work.

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January 4th 2010

A HIP COCKTAIL PARTY AT A SWANKY LOUNGE SUPPORTS A RIGHTEOUS CAUSE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 4, 2010

Contact:
Angela W. Daliet
Executive Director
504-416-3146

W Hotel of New Orleans partners with SOSNOLA to raise funds for a valuable student workshop series

NEW ORLEANS, LA — What better reason to raise a glass after work than to toast talented students working to improve their public schools?

Save Our Schools NOLA and the W Hotel are hosting a cocktail hour fundraiser at the W’s posh Zöe Lounge on Wednesday, January 20 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The party will raise funds for SOSNOLA’s “Finding Our Voices” 2010 Student Workshop Series.

Party guests will be treated to complimentary New Orleans Rum specialty drinks and signature hors d’oeuvres by Zöe’s popular new chef Chris Brown; to the energy of a live DJ spinning lounge and Jazz music; and to a raffle for a chance to win a luxury Prize Package including a one night stay at the W. Guests will enjoy all this and support an important learning experience for public school students.

“We are so excited to be a part of this important initiative. Continuing the improvement of our community of inspired youths is vital to moving New Orleans forward,” said Angela Thompson, General Manager of W Hotels of New Orleans.

Approximately 40 students will participate in “Finding Our Voices”. The series of 10 free workshops hosted by SOSNOLA and held over a 4-month period begins Saturday, January 23, 2010 with a meet and greet for interested New Orleans public school students, and culminates in an original production – written, created, and performed by the students – that will be the highlight of SOSNOLA’s annual Shindig Fundraiser & Community Celebration in April.

The workshops provide critical training, resources and support that empower students to identify, articulate and deliver their vision for the future of local public education. The student presentation at the Shindig – an expression of their visions, skills and talents –helps motivate a broad constituency (an audience of parents, teachers, school staff, civic, city and state leaders) to recognize their own responsibility and role in improving New Orleans public schools.

“SOSNOLA is building a strong foundation for an annual celebratory event that community members look forward to participating in,” says Executive Director Angela Daliet. “Our Shindig highlights the achievements of students and the improvements of public schools and the student presentation is vital to its success. The student workshops are of extraordinary value and are a transformative step to helping our most important public education stakeholders advocate for themselves.”

Students participating in the free workshops will be guided in developing their ideas for the presentation by performance and acting coaches. New Orleans Actors Resource Center (NOARC)—a new nonprofit “dedicated to the advancement, exposure, and education of actors in the New Orleans Metropolitan area” and to “enhancing the good of the community through the dramatic arts”—has partnered with SOSNOLA on the workshop series and will work closely with the students to develop stage presence and delivery.

To ensure the best learning experience for these young talents, SOSNOLA secures a practice space and provides food, beverages and materials for the workshops at an incurred cost of $7 per student per workshop. For one student to complete the full series, SOSNOLA incurs a total expense of $70.

Ticket price for the cocktail hour fundraiser at Zöe Lounge is $7: the cost of sponsoring one child for one workshop.

For more information or to schedule an interview contact Angela Daliet at (504) 416-3146 or email to .

About SOSNOLA
Save Our Schools NOLA is a grassroots nonprofit founded and led by public school parents. SOSNOLA believes when parents and community members are informed and connected around common concerns and a shared vision, they will be effective advocates for equity and excellence in public education, ultimately making New Orleans a better place to live.

SOSNOLA is building parent and community demand for equal access to excellent public schools for children in New Orleans in three specific ways: Informing the community around public education issues; Organizing an allied constituency of parents and residents; Advocating for policy and practice changes that support better equity and quality. Visit http://www.sosnola.org for more information.

About W Hotels of New Orleans
Offering two unique hotels, W Hotels of New Orleans has whatever you want, whenever you want it. Voted number one hotel in New Orleans in 2008 and one of the top three hotels in New Orleans in 2009 by Gambit Weekly readers, W New Orleans is truly a savvy traveler’s dream come true. The property boasts 423 guest rooms and 10,000 square feet of meeting space. Delight in Zoë, featuring innovative New Orleans cuisine. For those looking for a more intimate experience, wander to W French Quarter, recently named to the Travel + Leisure 2009 World’s Top 500 Hotels list and experience the charm and warmth of the French Quarter. Dine beneath Venetian chandeliers and angels at Bacco, owned and operated by Ralph Brennan. For more information, visit http://www.whotels/neworleans.

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