Our Training/Mentoring Schedule at Beacon of Hope

UPDATE: To learn more about our mentors and what we did while in New Orleans, please read my mentoring experience report.

On our first day with the folks at Beacon of Hope Resource Centers has already convinced us more than ever that we are in good hands for our crash course in neighborhood disaster recovery.

Upon our arrival, t is obvious that the Beacon of Hope folks have moved beyond essential personal and neighborhood recovery and have incorporated outreach mentoring into their range of services. With so much work to be done after Katrina, these folks have become mega-experts at identifying the need for and targeting essential recovery services. Here is the schedule of training/mentoring experiences that Lynette and I will share in New Orleans this week.

Monday, August 4th
11:30 am arrive New Orleans – St. Paul’s Beacon
1:00 pm Lunch, Tour of Lakeview, Gentilly
4:00 pm Orientation at St. Paul’s Beacon/Homecoming Center
7:00 pm – Beacon Administrator Rita Legrand, Block Captain meeting

Tuesday, August 5th
9:30 am Greet Volunteers. Orientation.
11:00 New Orleans Institute: listen to presentations of speakers of other recovery groups
2:00 Rally with Tina Marquardt, Director of Operations
5:00 Night Out Against Crime : Attend all Beacon Block Parties with Tina Marquardt

Wednesday, August 6th
9:00 am Beacon of Hope Headquarters: Tina Marquardt, Director of Operations: operations and communications to include resources, database, website, contractor referrals, etc.
2:00 pm Sharon Schmidt will be taking them to her Beacon.
6:30 Town Hall meeting with Rep. Nick Lorusso… optional

Thursday, August 7th
9:00 am Katie Mears, Director of the Rebuilding Program, Episcopal Diocese
10:30 am Tour rebuilding projects
1:30 pm Denise Thornton, open discussion, observations, mission
2:30 pm Jackie Richard, grant writing and fundraising
4:00 pm LCIA Community BBQ at Roberts

Friday, August 8th
10:00 am meeting with Unified Non profit
1:30 pm Keith Huber: Equipment Management
2:30 pm Martin Huber: volunteer Training, Americorps and Vista Programs

Saturday, August 9th

Sunday, August 10th
2 :00 pm Al Petrie, Denise Thornton and Kristin Gisleson Palmer, Director, Rebuilding Together