Background of LA Green Corps:

The LA Green Corps was seeded through funding from a National Emergency Grant (NEG) in May 2008 to provide green job training to unemployed, under-employed, court involved or otherwise disadvantaged New Orleans youth. We are a collaborative partnership comprised of three 501(c)(3) organizations including the Alliance for Affordable Energy, the Old City Building Center (OCBC), and the Arc of Greater New Orleans (Arc of GNO). Youth are trained in green job skills, and receive higher education and life skills instruction, while being given the opportunity and assistance to overcome most social obstacles and barriers to employment. During the initial fifteen months we were a program site of the Conservation Corps of Greater New Orleans (CCGNO), a project of The Corps Network. CCGNO provided us with the support and staff training we needed to become a sustainable program. Currently we are a member of The Corps Network, a Provisional Affiliate Member of YouthBuild U.S.A. Currently, we are a member of The Corps Network, supported by AmeriCorps, and a Provisional Affiliate Member of YouthBuild U.S.A

Community Need:

The rebuilding of the Greater New Orleans Area is a tremendous endeavor that requires participation by all members of the community. Important to this rebuilding is the rehabilitation of existing structures as well as the preservation and protection of natural environments. To include all individuals in the rebirth of this unique city, the community requires inclusive and holistic employment and training opportunities for disconnected youth. Hands on pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs have the ability to prepare youth for the emerging green economy through community service which impacts the residents and neighborhoods most in need.

Economic Development:

The LA Green Corps is fostering the emergence of a green economy and aims to establish new “green” collar jobs. Some LA Green Corps projects are provided to the community at no cost and some are offered at market rate prices in an effort to avoid undercutting the emerging for- profit green enterprises. All fees support Corps operations. Revenue streams are generated through fee for service contracts; sales of plants and produce grown at the urban garden site; and salvaged building products sold at the architectural salvage depot facility. As sustainable markets expand, there are micro enterprise opportunities (such as starting up a weatherization business) for program graduates to continue on their own under the guidance of the program. LA Green Corps sites are following a social enterprise model- addressing social and environmental needs while creating greener jobs that include all individuals.

ABOUT THE PARTNERS:

  • The Arc of GNO- Created by concerned parents in 1953, the Arc of GNO is a United Way partner agency that provides services to people affected by intellectual disabilities and their families. The Arc of GNO is committed to securing for all people with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to develop, function, and live to their fullest potential.
  •  The Alliance for Affordable Energy- For twenty-two years the Alliance has advocated for the rate-payers of Louisiana, focusing on affordability and environmental integrity. Post Katrina, the Alliance has held several stakeholder meetings and developed an extensive program for not only educating residents and builders in safe, affordable, environmentally friendly building, but is also organizing volunteers and trainees to work with residents on energy efficiency. Current program areas include: Regulatory Oversight, Sustainable Redevelopment, and Climate and Clean Energy.
  • MidCity Neighborhood Organization's Old City Building Center- MCNO is a civic improvement organization dedicated to improving the lives of all MidCity residents. The Old City Building Center (OCBC) is a project of MCNO. Its mission is to meaningfully address training and support needs for community members who are transitional returning residents, unemployed, underemployed, at-risk youth, parolees, recovering established small businesses, and upcoming entreprenuers. The OCBC warehouse is an architectural salvage depot and workforce training facility with an emphasis on sustainable redevelopment.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES TO DATE:

CORPSMEMBER OUTCOMES

NUMBER OF CORPSMEMBERS

OUTCOME

177

Enrolled in Cycles 1, 2, 3 and 4

142

Graduated successfully from program

152

Placed in a job and or secondary/ post secondary education/ or certificated training opportunity of the 177 who successfully graduated

 85

 Earned AmeriCorps Education Award


PROJECT OUTCOMES
TYPE OF ACTIVITY                         ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Disaster Relief and Recovery Work

  • 12 large historic stained glass windows restored at 2500sf church               
  • 5 homes of 1000sf deconstructed and materials recycled to use for rebuild purposes
  • 42 tons of historic building materials salvaged and repurposed
  • 8 skims completed
  • 6 walls painted at the Crescent City Lights Youth Theater
  • 1 home drywalled and plastered for 91 year old

Environmental Restoration/ Rehabilitation

  • 200 landscape plants rescued for plantings around New Orleans
  • 75 species of plants planted by the Arc Corpsmembers in gardens and wetlands areas
  • 200 sf marsh grasses re-planted
  • 2 barrier islands replanted with 100 oak trees
  • 1 state park wetland planted with over 1500 cypress trees
  • 2 sustainable gardens built 

Energy Conservation

  • 15 homes weatherized (estimated each at 1000sf)
  • 14 radiant barriers installed in homes
  • 5 homes installed with extruded foam board
  • 9 solar hot water heaters installed
  • 9 homes received mold remediation
  • 3 homes installed with insulation
  • 1 school assessed for energy efficient repairs
Fourth Cycle Arc of GNO Corpsmembers pose for a photo with staff of CCGNO at the CCGNO Opportunity and Job Fair.