PEACE
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ISAIAH INSTITUTE OF NEW ORLEANS
Communities of Hope:
Making a Difference
Our goal is simple but powerful: to help make our beloved city of New Orleans safer, stronger, and better for everyone.
We are grateful for every partner and supporter who has helped make this work possible.
We invite you to continue walking with us as we deepen this movement and expand the impact of
Communities of Hope across our city.
Get to Know Us
Communities of Hope is an inspiring initiative featuring government and the faith community working side by side for meaningful change. With Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office, our principal partner, and for the many supporters who have joined us in this work, we are building a movement that unites faith communities in action.
Through this partnership, we have worked alongside residents to close abandoned houses and lots, address mental and physical health needs, confront public safety challenges, and bring awareness to the conditions and actions that cause communities to turn away from one another rather than toward each other.
Across Central City, Tremé, the Upper and Lower Ninth Ward, and New Orleans East, we are proud of what has been accomplished, we know this is only the beginning.
Treme'
In summer 2024, COH launched its inaugural place-based campaign in Tremé. A 2.5 month listening effort across congregations surfaced urgent concerns: violent hotspots, unsafe businesses, reckless vehicle activity, and environmental hazards.
Issues Identified:
* Violent hotspots along Claiborne Ave
* Unsafe nightlife establishments
* Reckless ATV and vehicle activity
* Insufficient lighting under I-10
* Blighted properties and unmanaged gathering points
Actions Taken:
* Listening campaign across Tremé congregations
* Public accountability meeting with DA, NOPD, and city officials
* Closure of two violent hotspots
* Installation of new lighting under I-10
* Increased police presence and enforcement
* Formation of resident-led issue committees
Upper and Lower 9th Ward
COH and NODICE next turned to the Upper and Lower 9th Ward, where residents launched a listening
campaign across more than 20 congregations. They surfaced widespread illegal dumping, extensive
blight, prostitution, homelessness, nuisance businesses, and environmental hazards — many rooted in
land left vacant since Hurricane Katrina.
At an October 2025 action meeting at St. Paul’s Church of God in Christ, residents presented the
issues to the District Attorney, NODICE, NOPD, city officials, and elected leaders.
Issues Identified:
* Illegal dumping in vacant lots
* Blighted properties used for criminal activity
* Post-Katrina land left unmanaged
* Prostitution, homelessness, and hunger
* Nuisance gas stations and convenience stores
Actions Taken:
* Listening campaign across 20+ congregations
* Public accountability meeting at St. Paul’s
* Antidumping campaign with enhanced fines and cameras
* Community education in schools, churches, and neighborhoods
* Proposal for community food gardens
* Enforcement against abandoned housing and nuisance businesses
* Increased enforcement of illegal dumping
* Community led cleanup and maintenance efforts
* Advancing food garden initiatives to address hunger
* Crackdown on abandoned housing used for criminal activity
* Strengthened resident leadership and civic engagement
Central City
Following Tremé’s success, COH and NODICE launched a two month listening campaign across 20
congregations in Central City. Residents surfaced urgent concerns: blighted properties used for
criminal activity, prostitution and drug sales along Jackson Avenue, and dangerous nuisance businesses—including the Five Star Car Wash, reported as a 24 hour hub for drug trafficking and prostitution.
Issues Identified:
* Blighted properties used for prostitution and drug activity
* Prostitution and drug sales along Jackson Ave.
* High Risk intersections (Derbigny, Claiborne, MLK)
* Unsafe nuisance businesses
* Post-Katrina blight behind Stronger Hope BC
Actions Taken:
* Listening campaign across 20 congregations
* Public accountability meeting at Stronger Hope
* Indictment of slum property owner
* Closure of Five Star Car Wash
* Increased enforcement along Jackson Ave
* Resident committees formed for ongoing accountability
* Removal of major drug and prostitution hubs
* Disruption of criminal networks
* Increased safety around Stronger Hope
* Strengthened collaboration between residents and law enforcement
Citywide Partnership Milestone
On February 28, 2026, COH, the District Attorney’s Office, NODICE leadership, clergy from across
the city, resident leaders, the Mayor, Deputy Mayors, City Council members, and key public safety
officials gathered to formalize a deeper, sustained partnership.
This event marked a turning point: a recognition that eliminating imminent threats, addressing blight,
meeting human needs, and enabling economic development requires ongoing, coordinated
partnership between vigilant communities and responsive government.
The District Attorney’s Office published an article documenting COH’s impact — the first public
recognition of the effectiveness of this residentled, faith rooted strategy.
Key Outcomes:
* Formal recognition of COH’s faith-based model
* Strengthened commitment from city leadership
* Public affirmation of COH/NODICE impact
*Agreement to expand coordinated action citywide
* Establishment of ongoing communication channels
Goals for the Remainder of 2026 and for 2027:
* Citywide expansion of the place based strategy
* Strengthening Community Capacity
* Advancing Economic Development
* Addressing Hunger, Homelessness, and Human needs
* Building a culture of shared responsibility
