Fabrikam, Inc. President s Message. Quarterly Newsletter January 2019

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1 Fabrikam, Inc. Quarterly Newsletter January 2019 President s Message In January 2013, the New Orleans Redevelopment Agency (NORA) purchased the former Delta House on Gentilly Blvd, as part of the redevelopment of the Wal-Mart store on that former shopping center site. Soon thereafter, the Foundation started searching for a building large enough to accommodate the programs that the Foundation and the Chapter. In September 2015, our organization was fortunate that the Corpus Christi/Epiphany Parish Council agreed to sell all of the former Epiphany Parish properties to the New Orleans Delta Foundation. The sale included the former church (11,000 sq. ft.), the former convent (7,500 sq. ft) and the former rectory (3,000 sq. ft.) along with the adjoining parking lot. The property had been vacant for over ten (10) years. The Foundation engaged the architectural firm of Hewitt-Washington Associates, who initially work with the Executive Board in applying for the Conditionally Used permit. This permit was a zoning waiver necessary to allow the Foundation to use the property for anything other than a church. In addition, the property had been vacant for over ten years. After a public hearing and weeks of work, the City Planning Commission (CPC) approved the request with minor requirements to be met. The New Orleans City Council approved the CPC s recommendation and the Mayor signed the Ordinance granting our waiver in July Based upon this approval, the Foundation had one year from the date to request a permit for construction. The Executive Board of the Foundation decided that we would concentrate initially on renovation of the administrative building (former rectory). It was also decided that a campaign would take place within the Foundation s membership to fund the renovation. With over 400 members at the time, it was agreed that a $1,000 donation from each member, or a campaign pledge of that amount, would provide the necessary funds to renovate the St. Anthony Street administrative property. To date, the purchase and planning of the administration building has been totally funded by the Foundation and its members. The Board reasoned that the completion of the building by the membership will make the capital fundraising process easier for the larger buildings, since private foundations and government agencies are more willing to assist an organization that delivers on getting its project off the ground. The Foundation requested and received a one-year extension from the City of New Orleans on the requirement to request a building permit for the property. At this time, we have not reached the goal of raising the necessary funds from within our membership. A minimum of $300,000 must be raised before we can sign a construction contract for the administration building, which will have community meeting space, could be substantially ready for the National convention. The Foundation is multi-tasking the total renovation of the site, by developing our Corporate Capital Campaigns which will be launched during the first quarter of 2019, while working on various means by which the membership can assist in getting our first building completed. We hope to unveil these plans in January The acquisition, development and ownership of ownership of over a square block of the City of New Orleans in the Historic Seventh Ward is historically significant for the New Orleans Delta Foundation and the City. Our ownership is supported by the surrounding community and its residents and we are located in an area of redevelopment. The property is in close proximity to St. Augustine High School and the newly built and recently opened Good Shepherd School. It gives me a deep sense of pride, that as a non-profit organization, led by African -American women, the New Orleans Delta Foundation owns a significant piece of the rock in our beloved City of New Orleans. Sincerely, Shelia Danzey President and CEO

2 New Orleans Delta Foundation Celebrates 30 th Anniversary The New Orleans Delta Foundation, Inc. celebrated thirty years of partnerships and service to the community. A general meeting was held on Thursday, August 16, 2018 at Corpus Christi Community Center. The New Orleans Delta Foundation recognized supporters, friends and leadership over the past thirty years. The Executive Board members were installed at the meeting. Members received pins noting the year of existence and operation. Special pins were given to those members who donated and paid $1, in pledges for cost of the renovation of the Delta Complex located at 1949 Duels. The special pin noted the address of the Foundation. Member Jean Kennedy presented acknowledgements to members of the Scholarship committee. The president acknowledged members who have gone above and beyond in their support of the Foundation. The past presidents of the Foundation also received special recognition from the President NODF Executive Board: (left to right and top to bottom) Jean Kennedy, Thelma French, Chanelle Collins, Margaret Washington, Linda Compton, Diana Bajoie, Cassandra Williams, Hattie Broussard, Gloria Bryant- Banks, Hester Cottles,, Jill Benoit, Shelia Danzey, Elsie Adams and Susan Vaughn NODF President, Shelia Danzey, presented Soror/Member Thelma French, CEO of Total Community Action, Inc. check for $ in honor of our late first NODF President Olympia E. Boucree be used in one of the many programs of the Agency. NODF President, Shelia Danzey, presented representatives of Dow Chemical with a plaque for its contributions, efforts and commitment to the mission of NODF. Pictured: (l to r) Ashton Jones, Shelia Danzey, and NODF Member Mary Champagne. NODF President, Shelia Danzey presented DSTNOA President, Pam White with a plaque of recognition. 2

3 Scholarships and Awards Committee The New Orleans Delta Foundation presents four scholarships annually to students who meet all criteria in our stated guidelines. The NODF Scholarship is based on academic achievement and financial need. Other stated criteria are that the applicants must have earned at least 32 cumulative hours at the time of submitting their application as well a written essay stating why they should be the recipient. The application process is complete when committee members meet with each applicant in a brief face to face interview which facilitates our ability to learn a little about their personality. The NODF Scholarship was designed for the non-traditional student. Many who apply are older than the traditional student who enters college immediately after high school. Some may have had to delay entering college in order to work and save money. Others may have dropped out for various reasons. Still others have responsibilities of children and family which may have forced them to prioritize and put a strain on their finances. The NODF Scholarship is designed to come midway through the college years which may lessen the financial strain some find themselves in allowing them to concentrate on their studies. Four local institutions of higher learning have worked cooperatively with the Foundation the past several years to aid in identifying students who meet the criteria. These institutions of higher learning are Dillard University, Southern University at New Orleans, Xavier University, three HBCU s and Delgado Community College which has a diverse student population. The four recipients for are: Will Willis III a sophomore student at Delgado Community College whose major field of study is Business Management with a certification of Entrepreneurship. Alicia Symone Hoey a sophomore student attending Dillard University majoring in Accounting with a minor in Criminal Justice. Warren Thompson a senior student at Southern University at New Orleans majoring in Elementary Education and Computer Information Systems. Kezia Robinson a sophomore Pre Med major at Xavier University pursuing a career in biomedical science. CONGRATULATIONS to the New Orleans Delta Foundation recipients!!!! Jean Kennedy, Chair, NODF Scholarship Committee Scholarship recipients pictured with NODF president- Shelia Danzey, NODF scholarship committee chair- Jean Kennedy, and Mr. Boucree. 3

4 New Orleans Delta Foundation Hosted the 2 nd Annual Charity Golf Classic The New Orleans Delta Foundation, Inc. hosted its 2 nd annual charity golf classic on Saturday, October 13, The golf classic was held at Joseph M. Bartholomew, Sr. Municipal Golf Course Congress Drive, New Orleans, LA. An awards luncheon was held following the tournament. Scholarship recipients were acknowledged and presented to the participants. Additionally, the first, second and third place winners were acknowledged with awards. Soror Olympia Boucree, the Foundation s first President, passed in 2018 and the 2 nd Annual Golf Classic was in her honor. With the significant support of sponsors and participants, the Golf tournament was a big success producing a net profit of $7, thanks to our sponsors and participants. Second-place winners of the 2 nd Annual Golf Classic pictured with top sponsor, Chelsey Richard- Napoleon- Clerk of Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans. NODF executive board and members pictured in front of the Joseph M. Bartholomew, Sr. Municipal Golf Course at the Start of the 2 nd Annual Golf Classic. Third-place winners of the 2 nd Annual Golf Classic pictured with top sponsor, Chelsey Richard- Napoleon- Clerk of Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans. NODF President, Shelia Danzey, pictured with the first-place winners of the 2 ND Annual Golf Classic. Son and family of Honorary chair, Olympia Boucree, presented the scholarship recipients with certificates and golf classic winners with awards. 4

5 NODF Begins Work on Administration Building The Foundation President has met with the architect, City Planning Commission and the City Council. The Mayor has signed the ordinance for the Foundation to move forward with the renovations. However, the Foundation needs to fulfill six requirements of the City Planning Commission regarding matters such as signage, drainage, garbage collection, etc. If the renovation project commences in January of 2019, the administration building could be complete in time for the Sorority s national convention in July The requirement of a water plan cannot be waived due to the square footage of the property. All buildings require signage. The Foundation hopes to have the property declared an historic property. Dow Chemical provided a $20,000 grant to NODF specifically for the renovation of the Delta Complex. In addition, in July 2018, over twenty (20) Dow employee volunteers converged on the Complex site (three buildings and parking lot) to clean and paint the buildings. The grant was focused on the removal of environmental hazard materials at the former rectory, which is to become the Complex administrative building. Photos of the buildings which comprise the Delta Complex are attached. Fundraising Committee Potential fundraising activities: October Golf Tournament Jazz Fest Basket Raffle Riverboat cruise during sorority National Convention Norwegian cruise in November SAVE THE DATE The Next General Body Meetings will tentatively be held on: February 5, :00 pm 8:00 pm June 15, :00 am 12:00 pm Chanelle L. Collins, NODF Journalist 5