Annas-Place-Abbrevia.. - Saint Anna`s Episcopal Church New Orleans

ST. ANNA’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Anna’s Place NOLA
Breaking Cycles of Poverty and Violence
The Very Rev. William H. Terry
10/29/2015
A unique formula of health, wellness, education, and socialization will be outlined herein. The objective
is to break cycles of systemic and intergenerational poverty, dependency, and marginalization. The
collective strategies outlined are the result of cr
critical
itical collaborations that result in a unique and
potentially reproducible program.
Executive Summary
St. Anna’s Episcopal Church is located in the Tremé. This is an historic crossroad between
several old neighborhoods adjacent to the famous French Quarter. While some of the
neighborhoods are experiencing a renaissance traditional pockets of poverty remain. The focus
of the church is manifested in a Ministry called Anna’s Place.
Anna’s Place is a program that combines health care and teaching to residents that generally
live in poverty. The ministry has a history dating back to 2006 and has been evolving ever since.
The “service territory” of immediate impact for the programming is one of the poorest and
most violent areas in the metropolitan New Orleans area. Generally it is located below Canal St.
a major thoroughfare that divides the city. The poverty rates in this area generally run at about
40%. The area is characterized by poor housing and violent crime alongside of chronic multigenerational welfare recipients and drug dealing. The area targeted has a population of about
30,000 in poverty or close to poverty residents with low educational attainment. Children are
subject to various and many environmental hazards as well as cultural hazards.
The program operates using a trimester system which present as Fall, Spring, and Summer
Camp trimesters. Programs are staffed with a combination of paid and volunteer professionals.
Programs seek to fill educational gaps by underperforming schools, teach conflict resolution,
teach spiritual integrity, healthy living to both child and parents, and disrupt cycles of violence
and poverty.
Curriculum and initiatives are designed by trained professionals and in collaboration with the
Carnegie Hall, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, New Orleans Museum of Art, Tulane and
Loyola Universities. Programs have modest enrollments of
20 children on weekdays and up to 45 children on
Saturday.
The concepts and nature of holistic approaches are new to
the city and indeed the region. If successful over the long
haul we believe that Anna’s Place can become a model for
urban interventions in pockets of poverty developed by
and with the blessing of the Episcopal Church. The
outcome sought is simple and can be euphemistically
stated by simply saying: “We want these children to grow
up and become tax payers and good Episcopalians.”
Anna's Place Students visit Jesuit High
MISSION
To promote healing and wholeness of body, mind and spirit in the Tremé/7th Ward and Greater
New Orleans community by offering academic, cultural, and arts enrichment; holistic health
care; and healthy lifestyle education.
VISION:
Anna’s Place NOLA is a place of peace where children realize their potential and families and
the community are nurtured so that poverty and violence no longer make their home among us.
Demographics (A story by the numbers)
Anna’s Place NOLA serves or potentially serves a service area known as “below Canal Street.”
This is an historic area of the city most noted by the French Quarter, Marigny, and Tremé. Yet,
within that same area are other less known and often neglected neighborhoods which our story
will tell.
This map, in
general, lays out the
areas of immediate
concern, access, and
need. The church is
well located for
reaching the subject
families.
Summary of Service Territory
The target area that is the immediate impact area of Anna’s Place:
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Has a total population of slightly more than 28,000 people.
The average poverty level has 41% of the population at or below the poverty level.
The percentage of persons with less than a High School Diploma – 25%.
The average life expectancy for zip code 70116 (around the church) 20 years less than
the Parish (County) of Orleans.
About 35% of all wage earners make $1,250/month or less. (Rages from 29%-61%)
Violent crime rate in Orleans Parish is 6.9 per 1K people in our target area (2nd highest in
the city) the rate is 15.57:1K.
There is an abundance of data and studies on education, health, and crime as it relates to
poverty, race, and environmental factors. The essence of which is; that populations located in
the 7th Ward and adjacent areas are numbering among the poorest, most undereducated,
highest health risk, and most violent of the cities populations. This is precisely where our work
is. The situation is systemic, chronic, and multi-generational. It appears that there is no
methodology on a global scale to eradicate health, emotional, or social poverty in St. Anna’s
identified service territory.
Summary of Methodology and Outcomes
Based on the lack of effective interventions to date by non-profits, local, state and Federal
governments the prospects for continued disparities and social dependences continues. It is the
vision of Anna’s Place NOLA to disrupt multifaceted poverty and to prepare a generation or
more for socialization, empowerment, and at least some nominal degree of independence.
As a faith based initiative we suggest that the moral fabric of our faith provides a foundation for
action, intervention, and outcomes. The Judeo-Christian ethic embraces ideals that include a
social contract that emphasizes the value of life, self discipline, respect and dignity. These
values in real terms demand that those participating in “the Christian life”:
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Utilize conflict resolution instead of violent behaviors (Matthew 5 and 18:15-20)
Will work and will benefit; disrupt a welfare mindset as a ‘right.’ (2 Thess. 3:6-15)
Create a sense of self worth and confidence within a context of humility.(Titus 2:7-8)
That care givers/teachers will fulfill the promises found in Matthew 25:34-39.
The methodologies employed include a holistic education/health model that incorporates
thematic introduction to math, reading, problem solving, by using the arts as a fulcrum e.g. in
order to learn music you must learn math and particularly fractions; in order to learn graphic
art you must learn spatial concepts leading to geometry and physics; in order to learn
composition you must learn order and sequence, etc.
The anticipated outcomes over a period of five years will show students ages 5-13 achieving
higher academic and test scores; reduced incidents of behavior issues in school; regular
attendance at church; and developing expectations for the future. In addition the adult parents
of the children will be engaged in healthy living; appropriate behavioral interventions; and
mentoring programs to increase the likelihood of gainful employment through job training.
The Current Population at Anna’s Place
There are basically three programs at Anna’s Place:
 Academic concentrations including homework tutoring and behavioral interventions.
 Arts enhancement and engagements.
 Faith introduction and teaching.
The Academic piece is scheduled 4 weekdays from 3 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. including dinner.
Enrollment totals approximately 50 children.
The Arts enhancement piece is Saturday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. in two age appropriate
sessions. Enrollment totals approximately 42 children.
The Faith introduction is Sunday from 9 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. including worship time for older
children and bible study for younger children. Enrollment totals approximately 25 children.
Of the enrollment about 80% are located in the most “at risk” populations. These children
suffer from poor nutrition, parental neglect, and PTSD from violent environments.
A History
Anna’s Place and the predecessor ministries St. Anna’s Mobile Medical Mission established in
2006 and Anna’s Arts for Kids established in 2010. Both have now been combined into Anna’s
Place to more effectively intervene in our service area.
Since 2013 Anna’s Place has built substantial collaborations with Tulane and Loyola Universities
which supply tutors; New Orleans Museum of Art which provide field trips and on site
workshops; The New Orleans Opera which provide matinee shows; and The Louisiana
Philharmonic Orchestra which is building a youth orchestra with us and providing music
instructors (ten instruments and instructors). The latter relationship has just been recognized
by Carnegie Hall in a national program called PlayUSA a pilot program.
Our Staff: Paid staff is at a minimum but are unbelievably gifted and dedicated
Diana Meyers, RN as Mission CEO and has been recognized in several journals and studies in
the public health access arena as well as receiving the Non-Profit Entrepreneur of the Year
Award 2008. Board Member 504 Healthnet; Leader GNO Mobile Unit Consortium; presented
papers at Mississippi Interfaith Disaster Task Force Community Wellness Conference 2010; as
well as six other published academic and medical papers.
Darryl Durham is head of community outreach and arts facilitation and has been recognized by
several awards. He has also been the CEO of the Harlem School of Fine Arts and Regional
Director of Disaster Relief for ACORN post Katrina. Mr. Durham holds degrees from: Johns
Hopkins Univ. (B.M.) and Boston University (M.M.).
These are the two full time staff members that manage Anna’s Place. In addition we have:
William Parsons who is a part time choral director tasked with developing a professional grade
youth choral ensemble. Mr. Parsons has degrees from Centenary College (B.M.), Univ. of
Southern Mississippi (M.M.) and Artist Diploma from the Cincinnati Conservatory. Mr. Parsons
has taught chorus in several public and private schools in both elementary and secondary
schools including LaGrange High School, in Lake Charles, St. Mark's Cathedral School in
Shreveport and North Desoto High School in Stonewall, Louisiana.
Mallory Hirschler is a graduate student in ecology who works part time as an Administrative
Assistant and Urban Ecology teacher (gardening and growing food).
Our curriculum is designed by Rebecca Crenshaw who is currently a Teaching Artist/Music
Educator at Homer A. Plessey Community School. She holds a B.A. from Amherst and is a
certified K-8 Music Educator. The curriculum is unique to this venue: Arts Based Modular
Thematic Learning. Learning elements include math, composition, concept development,
science all based on themes presented by Classical Composition.
Awards and Recognitions
2006 CITIBUSINESS: Non-Profit Entrepreneur of the Year Award St. Anna’s Adult Education
2007 CITIBUSINESS: Non-Profit Entrepreneur of the Year Award St. Anna’s Medical Mission
2010 Neighborhood Partnership Network Award for Best Community Church
2011 Martin Luther King Jazz Award for St. Anna’s Mission to Musicians
2012 Blue Cross/Blue Shield Angel of the Year Award – Anna’s Arts Mr. Darryl Durham
2014 Acclaim Award: Faith and Equality Award
FEATURED: NPR: State of the Reunion; NPR Great Museums NOLA; Episcopal News Network;
Times Picayune; L.A. Times; New Yorker Magazine; London Times; and various Euro news
services.
The Basic Program Expense
Staff Payroll
Operating Expenses
Program Expenses
Summer Program Expenses
TOTAL PROGRAM COST
$99,300
$13,494
$26,818
$11,000
$150, 612
Includes full and part time
Office supplies etc.
Instruments and art supplies etc.
Supplies and Transportation Exp.
Estimated Income (2015 Basis)
Grants and Foundations
Fundraisers
Donations, tuition other income
TOTAL PROJECTED INCOME
$32,000
$33,000
$22,000
$87,000
Projected deficit
<63,612>
NOTES: St. Anna’s Church takes no Admin. Fees; it provides space at no charge; the church pays
all utilities, the church pays for all General Liability Insurance and Shares Auto Insurance costs.
The
he Church contribution of both in
in-kind
kind and Administrative Expenses is about: $18,000.00
Some of Anna’s Place Students Performing at the New Orleans Museum of Art