Normally the Strive Center is a facility for adults with intellectual disabilities that teaches them work skills, etc. But at carnival at least the final weekend from Friday night through Monday they open their doors and sell snacks and offer bathrooms and a respite from the parades. The staff is great and very patient with the drunks in front of you...because you're never that person, right? The restrooms are older but clean and they have sinks. Washing your hands on the parade route makes me feel like the Queen of England, so fancy. The snacks are those that appeal to the kids: hotdogs, nachos, blowpops but maybe that's your carnival diet. And this year they actually had a liquor license so had a selection of alcohol for sale, church fair style. (What do you mean your church fair didn't sell liquor? Hmph.) Love the work they do and appreciate that they allow me to crash their party for a bit each year. read more

Strive - Front of the center during Bacchus - New Orleans, Louisiana

My two Aunts, Alice Margaret Padel and Claire Padel Modenbach started teaching students with disabilities how to sew at this facility. In fact, my Aunt, Alice Padel worked initially for Rutter Rex and then she went on to own her own manufacturing facility on Magazine Street named SegMar. This facility made uniform blouses, fashionable blouses, and dungarees. My Aunt Claire sewed and worked with my Aunt Alice at this facility as well. I lived in Gentilly and every time we had a hurricane, our family went to SegMar and we slept on top the fabric cutting tables. Those cutting tables and sewing machines were donated to Strive by my Aunt Alice. In fact, her photo is on the wall as a Director. I still have many carnival souvenirs that were made by the students who went to school at this facility. Those students who work there are the unsung heroes. This is a wonderful place to get a snack on Mardi Gras weekend. What a great way to show support for those less fortunate. The staff will be friendly, they always are! If you need something put together for carnival, you may hire these students. A WIN/WIN read more