Urban Strategies' New Orleans Revitalization!
Harmony Oaks, Formerly C.J. Peete, was Launched into the National Spotlight during Katrina Anniversary
Tremendous progress is being made at Harmony Oaks, formally C.J. Peete Public Housing in New Orleans, and the country is starting to take notice.
As the nation’s focus turned to New Orleans and the four year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina last week, many national and local media outlets directed their attention to the progress being made at Harmony Oaks.
Outlets from Essence.com (the on-line version of Essence magazine) and Marketwatch Radio to BET.com News (the online version of Black Entertainment Television news) and Family Network Radio on Sirius Satellite Radio interviewed Urban Strategies President Sandra M. Moore and/or former C.J. Peete residents.
Anderson Cooper from CNN also made a personal visit to the Harmony Oaks site to show the building progress of this new mixed-income community during his coverage of the anniversary on Anderson Cooper 360.
The BET.com news story detailed two former residents’ struggles over the past four years, highlighted the opportunity for previous residents to return to the new mixed-income Harmony Oaks community and showcased Urban Strategies’ role in preparing residents to move back to an array of community and supportive services.
BET News also interviewed Jocquelyn Marshall, C.J. Peete Resident Council President and Community Center Manager, after her testimony at the U. S. Congressional hearing in New Orleans on Friday, August 21.
In the tradition of Essence story telling, news editor Wendy Wilson wrote an “As Told To” piece after interviewing Moore about Harmony Oaks and former resident Antoinette Morton about her journey of leaving C.J. Peete and her excitement about moving into the redeveloped community.
Additionally, more than 15 national and regional radio interviews occurred with Moore days before the anniversary discussing Harmony Oaks, the significance of mixed-income communities, community and social services being offered and the need to raise social investment funds.
The first rental units are scheduled for occupancy in the coming months, but there is much more work that needs to be done. More than $40 million in private investments needs to be raised to fund and sustain the community and provide supportive services for the returning residents.
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