I had the honor of volunteering with New Orleans Mission while I was in town. This place does a…read morewonderful service for the city. The group I was with had set up our volunteer project beforehand. It's not that lengthy of a process to do. We showed up and were taken to where we were going to volunteer and we were on our way. Our mission was to help feed the people that came in for a meal. They had this down to a science, it moved so smoothly that it felt like a video game almost. Everything was done so efficiently that it was over so quickly that it felt like we were only there as decoration. I'm not complaining, they have been doing this longer than any of us that came to volunteer. After we were done with clean up we were give a tour of the building. We also had a sit down meeting where we were explained everything that they offer to the community. This is just one site that they oversee. Like I said, it was an honor.

My experience with the New Orleans Mission was very disappointing and concerning. I went there…read moreexpecting to receive help during a difficult time, but I felt that the main option being pushed was becoming a "disciple." When I said I did not want to become a disciple, I was told I could only stay for two days. What concerned me even more was what I was told about the disciple program. Once you agree to become a disciple, you are required to turn in your phone and other electronics. You are also unable to freely leave, and there are restrictions that can affect your ability to work or have your children attend school. I was also told that disciples are sent to Lynhaven in Hammond. I was told that participants could not keep things like their credit cards, phones, or other personal belongings. From my perspective, having your communication devices and access to the outside world restricted felt extremely controlling. It did not feel like the type of support I expected from a mission that is supposed to help people who are already vulnerable. I understand that programs can have rules and structure, but people seeking shelter and assistance should be given clear information about those rules and should feel respected and safe. Based on what I experienced and was told, I personally felt uncomfortable with the program and the level of control involved. It felt more like a cult-like environment to me than the supportive assistance I was looking for. I hope the New Orleans Mission takes concerns like these seriously and considers how these policies affect people who come there seeking help.

The pastor of the church is also a doctor. We constantly get persons that walk through the doors…read morewith the problems that anybody else would have. Some have marital issues, alcohol and other addictions. Fortunately there are counselors that used to be on Angola's death row as chaplains. There isn't much they haven't heard or seen, so feel welcome. The darker your past, the brighter your future. Services are Sunday 10 a.m. & 6:30 p.m. But there is something going on each day of the week... Give it a try, you won't be disappointed. God Bless you & hope to see you on Sunday.

My 1500th Yelp review (!) takes me out of my San Francisco Bay Area comfort zone and smack dab in…read morethe middle of the Lower 9th Ward in New Orleans. When I planned a trip for me and Jamie W. to come down here, it was pure coincidence and rather serendipitous that we should find ourselves here on the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. In fact, we decided to take a bus tour to see for ourselves the devastation and the speed of recovery from that mega-disaster. The tour was poignant and somewhat depressing for the little change we saw throughout the affected areas except for the one glimmer of hope that shone as a beacon at the end of our journey. Gray Line gave us a special addendum to the tour which allowed us to visit the neighborhood being rebuilt by the Make It Right Foundation. For those who have been sitting under a magnolia tree when the levees broke, this is the effort initiated by Brad Pitt in 2006 to build new homes for the previous residents in a manner that focuses on green-friendliness. You can tell from my photos that the results since the plans were first drawn up have been impressive. These are beautiful, architecturally stylish homes. The foundation's mission is clear - to be a catalyst for the complete redevelopment of the Lower 9th Ward by building these homes with an emphasis on safety, sustainability, and high quality design, while preserving the spirit of the community's culture. The goal of 150 houses completed is to accomplish this quickly in order for residents to be able to return to their homes as soon as possible. Forty-two have been completed according to our local guide Caesar, so progress is being made. We were fortunate to be allowed to see the interior of one of the nearly completed homes to see all the sustainable touches built into the house. It's a significant achievement and one that should make Angelina Jolie feel like she married more than just a pretty boy.

I realize that this review will most likely draw some heat, but Yelp is about varying opinions,…read moreright? While I really appreciate what the Make it Right Foundation is doing, these houses are downright ugly. Maybe I am not a forward thinking conservationist. Maybe I liked the way the old houses in this neighborhood looked. Maybe I am just a fool. Regardless of what I am, I think these houses look funky. While ugly, these houses are supposed to be incredibly energy efficient. They have also drawn the focus of the national media onto an area so devastated by Hurricane Katrina. I am slightly disappointed that so many people focus on this one area when other areas were affected as significantly, but that is the way it works. If you want to see them for yourself, head over the Claiborne bridge, you can't miss them.

I have attended several charity events where Black Tie did the auctions. Very professional,…read moregreater results and added excitement and momentum to the event. Highly recommend.

From the owner: We are a full service benefit auction company based in the New Orleans Metro Area…read more We have the only Benefit Auctioneer Specalist in Louisiana as our lead auctioneer, with two other auctioneers as part of our team. We also offer the Givergy Event Software platform that provides a microsite for your event. The microsite provides ticketing, check in/out, raffles, recurring donations and more. We also provide consignment items from local artists, sports memorabilia and "Bucket List" vacation packages. As one of our clients said: "Black Tie Auctions is the only company I've every heard of that can do it all"!

HandsOn New Orleans is a non-profit agency which coordinates volunteer activities around the…read moreGreater New Orleans area. If you have a free Saturday, check their calendar. They also coordinate for corporate entities and have limited lodgings for folks who want to volunteer from out of state and need a place to stay. Supercool!

Awesome group to volunteer with. We've been coming annually from Hawai`i to work with these great…read morefolks and will continue to come until NOLa doesn't need us anymore.

Amazing little gem of a store. Not large, but has a little bit of everything (fabric of all kinds…read moreand price points, notions, knickknacks, thrifted clothing) and is a beautiful space. They offer sewing classes in the back for all ages, you can rent the space too. Definitely stop in! Owner is extremely knowledgeable... have her do a "burn test" for you!

What a great shop! It offers a, little bit of everything... Fabric, notions, sewing machines,…read moreclasses, thrifted clothes and costumes. I'm sure I'm forgetting something. I stopped in today to donate bolts of upholstery fabric that had been given to me but weren't what I needed. Now someone else can get use of the fabric. They also do a once a month fabric recycling program - for a small monetary donation - for fabric /clothes that can't be reused. One less thing in a landfill! So if you need some quilting pieces or want to make a pillow or just talk sewing far from a corporate big box store, this might be the place for you.

Our family appreciates having Sugar Roots as we have two littles that love animals! It's nice being…read moreable to purchase the feed for the chickens and goats so that we can interact with them.

My frequent little breakfast friend was turning 3 and I luckily was chosen to attend her grand day…read more Sugar Roots Farm is an oasis tucked amongst tall trees and foliages of all shades of green. This tiny farm setting had all the fun, a playground, massive sand pit, covered dining and picnic area, ponies to ride, varied animals to feed and others to admire. Both kids and adults made their ways to each area. I thought this was a really nice little place to bring kids. Highly recommend.

Oh wow. I attended a benefit for Big Class last night (thanks to fellow yelpers Alvin & Re) and was…read moreSOOOOO impressed with the students who read from their work. I had to buy a copy of the Pizza Poetry Project chapbook for my very own. Yep pizza poetry...for Poetry Month student poems were printed out and delivered with pizzas around town. How cool is that?! Big Class is a city wide...well GNO wide...project that allows students (6-18) to express themselves through writing. It is a non-profit with a group of dedicated volunteers and teachers. And I can see why. The student's creativity is beautiful and infectious. I remember wandering through the St. Claude space during an art walk a couple of years ago and after attending the benefit last night, I'm so impressed with how much they've expanded. What a great project! I'm glad my fellow yelpers introduced me to the amazing creativity and good works.

Jen pretty much summed it up, but allow me to weigh in with my two cents…read more Re invited me to an event featuring young writers who attend Big Class, and after learning a bit about it and that Alvin was involved, I was excited to attend. I love to write myself, so I am always happy to support new and up and coming writing talent. I was absolutely blown away by the talent that I witnessed coming out of Big Class. These young people are such amazing and incredible writers. They are poised in front of a large crowd, they know how to take control of the room with their words and they impressed me as beyond smart. I really enjoyed the readings and I was left wishing that there was a program like Big Class when I was a kid. I thought it was so great that they sell books with the students writing, as I feel like publishing their work and getting it out into the community is a perfect way to encourage these young people to write more. I am so glad to have learned about Big Class and I look forward to attending future readings. The students that attend this program are definitely worth keeping an eye on; they are going to be doing big things.

This is a great non profit incubator, almost like a think tank. Several local non profits are…read morehoused in this location. Currently LANO (Louisiana Authority on Non Profit Organizations) and Goodwork Network among others. Non profits looking for small office space should definitely contact this location for reasonable priced space. This is also a great place to hold small seminars for your organization. Also in this location a "Foundation Center" section is set up and managed by LANO for organizations looking to research grants.