Hear how thoughtful, historic investments in children, affordable housing and all aspects of the social determinants of health are setting up the Bayou District of New Orleans for meaningful recovery. Listen

Hear how thoughtful, historic investments in children, affordable housing and all aspects of the social determinants of health are setting up the Bayou District of New Orleans for meaningful recovery. Listen
This tenet of our work was brought into sharp focus in a recent article in The New York Times, “Detailed New National Maps Show How Neighborhoods Shape Children for Life,” by Emily Badger and Quoctrung Bui. The article highlights data from the Census Bureau and researchers at Harvard and Brown universities that offer a long … Continue Reading →
The Bayou District in New Orleans celebrated another milestone on November 11: the groundbreaking for a new charter school building at Columbia Parc. When the building opens in January 2019, it will house both elementary and college prep programs (kindergarten through eighth grade). The new school is the next step in the 12-year journey of … Continue Reading →
A look back in history on lessons learned, successes and challenges still to conquer from the East Lake Foundation, celebrating its 20th anniversary, the Bayou District Foundation, celebrating its 10th and CONNECT, celebrating its first.
Moderator: Carol Naughton, President, Purpose Built Communities. Panelists: Daniel “Danny” Shoy, Jr., President, East Lake Foundation, Purpose Built Communities Network Member, Atlanta, Gerard “Gerry” Barousse, Jr., Chairman, Bayou District Foundation, Purpose Built Communities Network Member, New Orleans, Anne Whitlock, Founding Director, CONNECT, Purpose Built Communities Network Member, Houston Watch
Jimmy Roberts of NBC Sports and the Golf Channel tells the story of a group of business leaders from New Orleans who came to East Lake in Atlanta after Hurricane Katrina and then replicated one of the most successful urban revitalization initiatives in the country, creating Columbia Parc at the Bayou District. The Bayou District Foundation's initiative led to the formation of Purpose Built Communities and the replication of what is now known as the "Purpose Built Communities Model" in cities across the country. Jimmy Roberts interviews Gerry Barousse, the chairman of the Bayou District Foundation at the 2015 Tour Championship by Coca-Cola at the East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta. Watch
By Shirley Franklin, Former Mayor of Atlanta, Former Executive Board Chair of Purpose Built Communities Originally published in the Huffington Post In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, three New Orleans businessmen and civic leaders, Gerry Barousse, Mike Rodrigue and Gary Solomon, teamed up to play an inspirational role in the rebirth of their beloved city. Their effort … Continue Reading →
Ten years later, three business leaders from New Orleans came to Atlanta after their city was devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Upon seeing East Lake’s successful revitalization, they were moved to replicate what they saw in their own city as a part New Orleans’ rebirth. The East Lake Foundation allocated staff and resources to help the New Orleans team find a path forward. Watch
By Melanie Lasoff Levs NEW ORLEANS — Every Tuesday at Educare New Orleans is Coffee Connect. Over coffee, juice, pastries and fruit, some of the parents and caregivers of the 167 children who attend the early childhood center sit around tables and discuss questions such as, “What are your child’s favorite snacks and can you … Continue Reading →
By Melanie Lasoff Levs NEW ORLEANS — Residents of Columbia Parc, the bustling mixed-income residential community built on what was a blighted housing project, are used to visitors. Sometimes, when people come to pay rent, there are curious groups lingering around the model of the neighborhood in the leasing office. Other times, international visitors speaking … Continue Reading →
LaShelle Penn discussed the impact Hurricane Katrina and the revitalization of Columbia Parc at the Bayou District had on her life. Watch