Free New Orleans
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[edit] General Guide
Founded in 1718 by the French, the city experienced a brief period under Spanish rule before Napoleon sold it to the United States in 1803. Possibly the most unique of American cities, New Orleans has a thriving music and arts scene, and is known for its varied cuisines and traditions such as Mardi Gras. The city's economy is sustained by tourism. New Orleans was hammered hard by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and more than 3 years later still bears the wounds and scars. New Orleans is bounded by Lake Pontchartrain and the Mississippi River, and a great deal of the city is in fact below sea level.
Like a lot of old cities, New Orleans' geography can be confusing. It's streets are not laid down in a regular grid; instead, they follow the twists and turns of the Mississippi River. Locals give directions in relation to the river: 'up' means up river, 'down' means down river, 'towards' or 'in' mean to go towards the river, and 'towards the lake' or 'back' means towards Lake Pontchartrain. Driving in New Orleans can be tricky because many of the streets were laid out before the advent of the automobile, and thusly are so narrow that many of them are one-way only.
The French Quarter is New Orleans' oldest and most famous neighborhood. Home to dozens of shops, restaurants, and of course Bourbon Street.
Just up the river from the Quarter is the Central Business District, or CBD, also sometimes called Warehouse District (although many of it's warehouses have been converted into condos and galleries).
Down the river from the Quarter you'll find Faubourg Marigny, the arts and music scene, and the LGBT center of New Orleans.
Down from the Marigny you'll find the similarly bohemian but more residential Bywater.
Down from Bywater and across a bridge you'll come to the Ninth Ward. This is the largest ward in New Orleans, and is divided into three sections: the Lower Ninth Ward along the river, which suffered massive damage during Katrina; the Upper Ninth Ward which is home to the Musicians Village; and New Orleans East.
Back (or away from the river) from the Quarter is Treme (pronounced "Treh-may"), a historically Creole section of the city.
The Garden District is located up river from the CBD, and is famous for it's many gorgeous, historical homes.
Back (or away from the river) from the Garden District is Central City and Uptown. Uptown has a number of parks, a zoo, and historic cemeteries. Central City, which lies between the Garden District and Uptown, is the most crime-ridden section of New Orleans, and is to be avoided.
Note: Natives do not call the city 'The Big Easy'. Their nickname for New Orleans is 'the Crescent City'.
[edit] Housing
Belle Reve
- wwww.bellereve.org
- 504-945-9455
- Transitional, permanent, and hospice care for adults with HIV.
Desiree Community Housing Cooperation
- 504-944-2727
- Will cover one month's rent if you have a job and a lease.
Homelessness Prevention Program
- 504-872-0347 (ask for Darlene)
- Will cover one month's rent, mortgage, or utilities.
ACORN
- 1024 Elysian Fields Ave
- 504-943-0044
- Six month waiting list for free housegutting.
The Green Project
- 2831 Marais St
- 504-945-0240
- www.thegreenproject.org
- Recycles and sells used building materials.
New Orleans Women's Shelter
- http://www.nolawomenshelter.org
- 504-442-1683
- located in the Lower Ninth Ward
Covenant House
- 611 N. Rampart, open 24 hours
- 504-584-1111
- www.covenanthouseno.org
- Offers shelter to homeless youth 16-21. Education, case management, job readiness program, gardening and restaurant work programs, daycare, GED programs, drop-in medical clinic are among its services. Rent on sliding scale. No facilities for couples, will take families on case-by-case basis.
Section 8 is not available unless you either had a voucher before Katrina, or can document that you were homeless in New Orleans before Katrina.
One of our regular contributors grew up in the New Orleans area and is in contact with relatives that live there. Word has it that since Katrina there are a number of properties over in the lower 9th ward that could be rehabilitated and squatted because a lot of people haven't returned there. Also in Kenner, Algiers, and along Esplanade according to his information there are houses that could be squatted due to being abandoned after the storm.
[edit] Food
Free/low-cost markets, produce, butchers, day-old bakeries, Food banks, missions, church meals, etc.
Common Ground
- 1700 Deslonde St
- 504-717-7324
- www.commongroundrelief.org
- Food, water, baby supplies, tools, clothing.
Feed the Hungry Food Pantry
- 1528 Oretha Castle Haley St
- 504-524-2959
- Open 1-3 pm, must bring ID, proof of income and utility bill.
Broad Street Mission
- 138 N. Broad St
- 504-822-1342
- Provides hot lunch weekdays at 11:30. Also provides basketball (Monday, 5:30), men's addiction recovery group on Saturdays, and a learning center for children aged 4-12. Habla espanol.
Holy Faith Temple Baptist Church
- 1325 Governor Nicholls st, around back
- 504-525-0856
- Food bank on Tuesday and Thursday 10-4, hot lunch Thursdays 12-2
Food For Families
- 1800-522-3333
- 7649 Townsend Pl
- 8-5, M-F. Free food boxes for seniors and mothers of children under 6 who are not already on WIC. Must provide ID and proof of income.
St. Joseph's Church
- 504-273-5577
- 1803 Gravier St
- M-F, 8-2:30. Arrive at 12:45 for lunch at 1. Also provides laundry services, last load at noon. Showers provided until 12:45. Food pantry on Thursday and Friday for neighborhood residents only; also provides financial assistance for neighborhood residents. Legal services provided include legal aid (Monday and Wednesday, 8am), notaries T,W,Th at 12:30, birth certificates and IDS Monday and Tuesday 8-noon, as well as mental health and prescriptions daily.
St. Augustine
- 1210 Governor Nicholls
- 504-943-0594
- Provides outreach and utility assistance to Treme residents Tueday and Thursday, 10-2.
- Cafe Du Monde in the French Quarter used to give out free day old donuts around 9 or 10 each night. - Also the Food Quarter in Jackson Brewery Mall would give out free food to those who came in and politely asked right at closing time around 9 at night. These may no longer be doing this. This info is what was done when our contributor was growing up in the area before Katrina hit. But it doesn't hurt to check it out and see because it could get you a free meal.
[edit] Farmers Markets
If you're interested in buying or selling locally grown food, art, or other goods, then check out some of NOLA's many public markets.
Arts Market of New Orleans
- Palmer Park, S. Carrollton and S. Claiborne Ave.
- Fourth Saturday of each month 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Broad St Bazaar
- Robert's Parking lot, Broad St. at Bienville.
- Fourth Saturday each month 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Bywater Art Market
- Royal St at Piety.
- Third Saturday each month 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 504.944-7900
Camellia City Market
- 333 Erlanfer St, Griffith Park in Olde Towne, Slidell.
- Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to noon.
Crescent City Farmers Market
- Corner of Magazine and Girod Street
- Saturday and Tuesday 8-1 p.m.
Covington Farmers Market
- 609 N. Columbia Street, Covington.
- Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and the Covington Trailhead Wednesday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 985.892-1873
French Market
- 1008 North Peters St.
- Open 7 days a week 504.522-2621
Freret Market
- 4400 Freret St.
- First Saturday of the month, 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. 504.638-2589
German Coast Farmer's Market
- East Bank: Ormond Plantation, 13786 River Road, Destrehan.
- Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon West Bank: 13969 River Road, Luling (0.7 miles north of I-310 exit) Wednesday 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Gretna Farmers Market
- Huey P. Long Avenue between 3rd and 4th, Gretna
- Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Harrison Avenue Marketplace
- 801 Harrison Ave
- Every second Wednesday of the month, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Mandeville Trailhead Market
- 675 Lafitte Street in Mandeville, LA.
- 985.624-3147 or mandevilletrailhead@charter.net
Mid-City Green Market
- 3700 Orleans Avenue at the American Can Company
- Thursday 3 pm to 7 pm rain or shine. 504.483-6314
Sankofa Marketplace
- At the corner of Caffin St. and Claude Ave, Lower Ninth Ward
- Every second Saturday.
Upper Ninth Ward Market
- St. Claude Avenue at Gallier Street
- Saturday, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 504.482-5722
Vietnamese Farmers Market
- 14401 Alcee Fortier Blvd
- Saturday, 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Westwego Farmers and Fisheries Market
- 484 Sala Avenue and Fourth Street, Westwego.
- Saturday 10:00 a.m. 504.341-3424 ext 209
[edit] Medical Care
You should first check http://www.nolafreehealthcare.com/ a guide to the free and low-cost medical clinics in New Orleans, created by a Tulane medical student. En español y en português.
Healthcare for the Homeless
- 504-658-2825
- 2222 Simone Bolivar, 2nd Floor
- You must have a letter from a homeless shelter. Includes dental and pediatric services.
Drop-In Center Youth Counseling
- 1428 N. Rampart
- M-F, 1-5.
Covenant House Tulane Walk-In Clinic
- 504-584-1167
- 611 N. Rampart
- Helps with prescriptions
Common Ground Health Clinic
- 504-361-9800
- 1400 Teche St. (Algiers)
- Walk-in health care, an herbalist, HIV testing, vaccines, and physical therapy. Mon 2-5 pm, Tues *9am-12noon, Weds 10am-3pm, Sat 12-3pm.
Causeway Medical Clinic
- 1800-749-7265 (24 hrs)
- 3040 Ridgelake Dr. (Metairie)
- Pregnancy and abortion services.
Ida Hymel Clinic
- 1111 Newton St.
- 504-364-4024
- Free pap smears.
Women's Health Clinic
- 504-524-8255
- Gyno, prenatal/midwife, sexual health care, counseling. Tues and Thurs only.
Planned Parenthood
- 504-897-9200
- 4018 Magazine St.
- Contraception, STD testing, OBGYN, etc.
Tooth Bus, Children's Hospital
- 504-342-7874
Rivertown Optical
- 400 Williams Blvd
- 504-461-5500
- Low-cost eyeglasses (about $22 for a complete pair)
Louisiana Agenda for Children
- 1720 St. Charles Ave
- 1-800-486-1712
- Excellent resource if you have children, are under 19, or are pregnant.
New Orleans Musicians Clinic
- 2820 Napoleon Ave
- (504) 412-1366
- Provides low-cost health care to all New Orleans musicians, vocalists, Mardi Gras Indians, and their family members over 17. Copay is $10, and they may be able to arrange a free ride for you to and from the clinic.
Free Care Program at University Hospital
- 504-903-3136
- 2021 Perdido St
- Provides six months of free healthcare to those who make $2k or less. Apply in person.
Access Pregnancy
- 504-469-9996
- www.arch-no.org
- Free pregnancy tests, MD referrals, and Medicaid applications. 8:30-4:40, M-F.
St. Thomas Community Health Center
- (504) 529-5558
- http://www.stthomaschc.org
- 1020 St. Andrew St
- Mammography, breast exams, HPV tests, gynecologic exams, and Pap smears provided.
Take Charge
- http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/offices/?ID=291
- 1-888-342-6207
- A program for Louisiana residents who are female, aged 19-44, and who are without health insurance (or who's private insurance does not cover family planning) but who do not qualify for Medicaid. Take Charge will provide up to four visits per year for the purposes of reproductive health, and supply IUDs, diaphragms, laboratory tests, etc. You must re-enroll every year.
[edit] Legal Aid
The Pro Bono Project
- 615 Baronne St, Suite 201
- 504-581-4043
ACLU of Louisiana
- 504-522-0617
Katrina Legal Aid Project
- 504-861-5600
- www.katrinalegalaid.org
- A project of the Loyola Law Clinic that provides legal assistance to Katrina survivors. Call to schedule an appointment. Habla espanol.
Orleans Public Defenders
- 2601 Tulane Ave, Ste 700
- 504-821-8101
- Provides legal assistance to homeless individuals accused of committing crimes in Orleans Parish.
Southern Poverty Law Center
- 1800-613-0342
- M-Th 8-8; F 8-5; Sat & Sun 2-6pm.
- Manages migrant-worker cases dealing with wages, safety, and health. Habla espanol.
CCANO Project Save
- www.ccano.org
- 504-310-6872
- Provides legal support for survivors of domestic violence in Orleans Parish. Habla espanol.
[edit] Armed Forces/Deployment Avoidance Counseling
Legal aid, resources, etc.
[edit] Play
See Free Play section, include details for this city.
New Orleans is a party city, and the locals use every excuse to throw a parade. You can find your fill of jazz, amazing food, bars, museums, dancing, art, drinking, buskers, flirting, and every other vice.
Radio Free New Orleans streams NOLA/Louisiana music 24/7. http://www.radiofreeneworleans.com/
Julia St, in the CBD near the Superdome, is famous for it's architecture (especially 13 19th-century townhouses known as "The Thirteen Sisters") and for it's art galleries. On the first Saturday of every month, hit Julia St. for an artcrawl and score complimentary cocktails.
A block and a half down from Julia St. you'll find the Contemporary Arts Center (CAC) at 900 Camp St. The CAC provides a home for local art, dance, theater, sculpture, and even burlesque. Currently the gallery admission is FREE through July 12, 2009.
Municipal free wireless (ESSID: CityOfNewOrleans) is sometimes available in downtown NOLA. Most coffee shops and some bars have free wireless for customers. The St. Bernard library out in St. Bernard parish has free 24/7 wireless as long as you're sitting next to their library.
The New Orleans Healing Center's mission is to "tend to the mind, body, and environmental health of the resilient citizens of New Orleans." They are opening a yoga center, a cafe serving vegetarian/vegan food and offering job-training to at-risk youth, a food co-op, and an art gallery, among other projects. http://www.neworleanshealingcenter.org/
The Hands On New Orleans Tool Lending Library will rent out tools for building, painting, fencing, and planting for $10/month or $100/year. An excellent place to get tools if you only need them briefly and/or have nowhere to store toolboxes. 1204 S. White St, open Mon-Sat, 504-304-4705. http://handsonneworleans.org/
Three chemistry students at Loyola manufacture and give away biodiesel to anyone who wants it. You can contact them at 504-861-5882.
The Cabildo museum in the French Quarter and the Museum of the Confederacy used to be free on Wednesday afternoons.
[edit] Information
Bicycle Michaels on Frenchman St. in Marigny sells and rents bikes. They are open every day of the week except for Wednesdays. http://www.bicyclemichaels.com/
Confederacy of Cruisers on Elysian Fields Ave also rents bikes. http://www.confederacyofcruisers.com
[edit] GLBT
Resources exist for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer community of New Orleans.
Lesbian and Gay Center of New Orleans
- 2114 Decatur St.
- 504-945-1103
- Sponsors several support groups and a GLBT book reading group.
Gay Pride New Orleans
- http://www.gayprideneworleans.com/
- Sponsors an annual Pride parade.
NO/AIDS Taskforce
- (504) 821-2601
- 839 St. Charles Ave
- Provides HIV testing, counseling, and a health clinic.
PFLAG
- www.pflagno.org
- 2202 Dublin St
- (504) 862-5912
GLBT-friendly churches in New Orleans include:
World Harvester's Church
- 3151 Dauphine St.
- (504) 944-9836
First Presbyterian
- 5401 S. Claiborne Ave
- (504) 866-7409
Lakeview Presbyterian
- 5914 Canal Blvd
- 504-482-7892
St. Anna's Episcopal
- 1313 Esplanade Ave
- (504) 947-2121
St. Mark's United Methodist
- 1130 N. Rampart St
- (504) 523-0450
[edit] Underground Papers
The Gambit, NOLA's 'alternative' newspaper. http://bestofneworleans.com/gyrobase/
[edit] Miscellaneous
Vialink CopeLine (24 hrs) 1800-749-2673
Metropolitan Center for Women and Children (24 hrs) 504-837-5400
Lesbian and Gay Community Center 504-658-4020
[edit] Artist and Musician's Resources
New Orleans is a musician's city. Whether you busk on Royal Street, play the clubs on Bourbon or Frenchmen, or just jam with your friends on homemade instruments, there are resources to support and help you.
- Tipitina's Music Office Co-Op provides fully-equipped work space for musicians. Membership runs $10 a month, or $100 for a year. http://tipitinasfoundation.org
- Sweet Home New Orleans provides social services, financial, and relocation assistance for the city's musicians, Mardi Gras Indians, and Social Aid & Pleasure Club members. 1201 St. Philip St, 504-596-4098. www.sweethomeneworleans.org
[edit] Public Transit
Getting around New Orleans by car can be an adventure, as New Orleans is a very old city and many of its major roads were laid down before the automobile. These narrow roads are often one-way, and some like Tulane Ave have "no left turn" signs posted for miles. New Orleans' roads are also extremely rough and prone to potholes compared to most other US cities. If you are just visiting the French Quarter and nearby areas such as the CBD or Uptown, it might be easier to just not bring a vehicle at all. A great deal of New Orleans can be navigated on foot, by bicycle, in a streetcar, or on a bus.
RTA runs the buses and streetcars. Fares are (as of July 2009) $1.25 for local buses (except for the Kenner Loop, which is 80 cents) and for streetcars. A one-month unlimited ride pass is $55.
The Algiers ferry leaves the Canal St. docks every half-hour starting at 6 a.m. The trip is free for pedestrians and about $2 for cars.
[edit] Free Clothing and Furniture
See Free Clothing and Furniture section, provide details for this city.
[edit] Assorted Freebies
Baptist Friendship House
- 504-949-4469
- 813 Elysian Fields Ave
- Offers GED counseling, helps pay for test.
Louisiana Community Prisoner Restoration
- 1125 N. Tonti, corner of Gov. Nicholls
- 504-270-7388
- Employment and housing assistance for non-violent, non-sexual offenders on parole or probation.
God's Kingdom Builders
- 504-821-1151
- 2229 Ursulines Ave
- Faith-based, 15-month recovery and housing facility for adults. Offers GED prep and job training.
Treme Community Center
- 1600 St. Philip St.
- Hosts after-school and evening activities such as basketball, weights, piano, choir, sewing, etc. Walk-in after 5pm, ask for Coach Stewart.
North Rampart Community Center at St. Mark's
- 504-529-1681
- 1130 N. Rampart St.
- M-F, 3-6:30 pm
- After-school program for K-12, includes art, homework help, computer literacy, snacks, also runs a summer camp. Ask for Coach Parker.
[edit] Survive
Go to the Survive section and provide any city-specific details, including new topics.
