The recipient entity's physical address:
           3923 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
New Orleans, LA 70125

The recipient entity's mailing address (if different):
           3923 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
New Orleans, LA 70125

Type of Entity (for instance, a nonprofit corporation):  Non-Profit Corporation

If the entity is a corporation, list the names of the incorporators:
          

The last four digits of the entity's taxpayer ID number:  3749

What is the dollar amount of the request?  $20,000

What type of request is this?  General Appropriation

Is this entity in good standing with the Secretary of State?  Yes

Provide the name of each member of the recipient entity's governing board and officers:
           Board of Directors
Nakisha Ervin-Knott, Chair, 5710 Kensington Blvd., New Orleans LA 70127
Fred Kirchgraber, Vice Chair, 3024 Audubon Trace, Jefferson LA 70121
Mary Jeandron, Treasurer, 118 Mulberry Dr., Metairie, LA 70005
Karen Kirchgraber, Secretary, 3024 Audubon Trace, Jefferson LA 70121
Clarence Adams, 7200 Thornley Dr., New Orleans, LA 70126
Rev. Louis Arceneaux, 812 Constantinople St., New Orleans LA 70115
Simone Bruni, 6246 Memphis, New Orleans, LA 70124
Byron Chambers, 3 Bourg Ct., Harahan, LA 70123
Maggie Connick, 448 Bellaire Dr., New Orleans, LA 70124
Gene D’Amour, 4320 Cadiz St., New Orleans, LA 70125
Krystle Ferbos Duplessis, 1527 S. Rampart, New Orleans, LA 70113
Jennifer Guenard, 411 Brockenbraugh Ct., Metairie, LA 70005
Mike Hammer, 14 English Turn Dr., New Orleans, LA 70131
Ashley Lusk, 5825 Clara St., New Orleans, LA 70115
Renee Gill Pratt, 1718 Toledano St., New Orleans, LA 70115
Romney Richard, 125 S. Cortez, New Orleans, LA 70119
Sr. Judith Zynda, 837 Short St., New Orleans, LA 70118

Key Personnel
Sr. Mary Lou Specha, Executive Director, 1706 S Saratoga, New Orleans, LA 70113
Sr. Julie Marsh, Director of Operations, 1706 S Saratoga, New Orleans, LA 70113

Provide a summary of the project or program:
           Hotel Hope is a nonprofit, interfaith organization that provides housing to single mothers and their children in a safe and loving atmosphere while guiding them to self-sufficiency and self-empowerment through intensive case management. We envision the preservation of the family unit and the elimination of family homelessness through systemic change.

UNITY of Greater New Orleans identified 1,454 individuals experiencing homelessness in Orleans Parish as of February 2024, with a staggering 69% increase in family homelessness over the past two years. The National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH) estimates that approximately 35% of homeless individuals are parents with children, the vast majority of those being single mothers, who are at high risk of sexual and other forms of violence. Family homelessness in New Orleans presents complex challenges rooted in systemic and situational factors. With only 40 shelter beds designated for families, emergency housing resources are vastly insufficient, forcing many to remain in cars, abandoned buildings, or other unsafe environments.

The city’s ongoing affordable housing crisis is a key driver, with skyrocketing rental costs and a limited supply of units. Families, especially single mothers, often face discrimination and substandard housing options. Economic instability, job losses, and health crises further exacerbate the issue, leaving many unable to recover without support.

Single mothers and children experiencing homelessness face heightened risks of trauma, domestic violence, and mental health challenges like PTSD and depression. Children often experience disrupted schooling, which hinders their development. Families also lack access to affordable childcare, reliable employment, and comprehensive support services.

Hotel Hope will offer emergency housing, nutritious meals, supportive services, and transition assistance to women with children experiencing homelessness. Through personalized, intensive case management, we will empower families to transition into permanent, stable housing while fostering self-sufficiency and long-term stability.

What is the budget relative to the project for which funding is requested?:
          Salaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . $0
          Professional Services. . . $0
          Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . $0
          Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . $0
          Major Repairs . . . . . . . $20,000
          Operating Services. . . . $0
          Other Charges. . . . . . . $0

Does your organization have any outstanding audit issues or findings?  No

If 'Yes' is your organization working with the appropriate governmental agencies to resolve those issues or findings?
          

What is the entity's public purpose, sought to be achieved through the use of state monies?
          Hotel Hope exists to provide short-term emergency shelter and transitional housing support to women with children experiencing homelessness. Our values of love, compassion, and empowerment guide our work and help us toward our goal of ending family homelessness and preserving the family unit.

What are the goals and objectives for achieving such purpose?
          Hotel Hope’s service model involves the completion of family needs assessment followed by the creation of a family development plan. We utilize the plan to locate the community resources required to put each family on a path back to stability. Our daily touch points enable us to measure progress and reassess or revise goals in real time.

Objective 1: Welcome new guests and complete family needs assessment

We do everything in our power to help our guests feel loved, accepted, and safe as they begin the process of rebuilding their lives. We provide a welcome basket for each family, which includes toiletries, pajamas, and snacks to enjoy in their private room. We inform mothers that they and their children are safe from harm and that Hotel Hope is protected by 24-hour security. We also provide guests with a hot meal upon arrival if they are hungry. Once guests are settled, we complete a needs assessment with the mother to understand the complexity of challenges confronting her and her children.

Key Activities: Complete VI-SPDAT assessment to determine immediate client needs and provide triage
Timeline: First day
Time Spent: One hour
Person responsible: Director of Programs; Case Manager

Objective 2: Complete the 10 Self-Sufficiency Milestones

Once families are settled and intake has been completed, we work with mothers to achieve 10 self-sufficiency milestones that have proven highly successful in helping families attain long-term stability. A critical component of this process is the creation of a family development plan as a resource to guide our connection of families to supportive services. These plans also provide our guests with clear goals as well as indicators of success for both the mother and her children. The milestones are:
• Complete intake process
• Create family development plan with case manager
• Take TB Test
• Complete a drug screen
• Apply for all important identification-related documents
• Enroll school age children in school
• Apply for Child Care Assistance Program for non-school age children
• Participate in individual behavioral health counseling as needed
• Participate in job search activities, career development counseling, or job training program if not currently employed
• Participate in weekly women’s empowerment group sessions

Key Activities: Daily touch point with HH staff; work toward the achievement of all 10 milestones
Timeline: Up to 60 days (until the family is placed in housing)
Time Spent: 10-15 hours per week
Person responsible: Director of Programs; Case Manager

Objective 3: Establish long term self-sufficiency

Hotel Hope is committed not only to helping our families secure housing, but to providing any assistance required to help them maintain housing stability over the long-term. Our aftercare program conducts regular check-ins, makes service referrals, and offers emergency financial assistance as well as donations of food and home supplies when necessary.

Key Activities: Weekly or monthly check in (as needed), career counseling, emergency financial support
Timeline: Up to one year following placement in housing
Time Spent: Approx. 5 hours/week
Person responsible: Director of Programs; Case Manager

What is the proposed length of time estimated by the entity to accomplish the purpose?
           12 months

If any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official is an officer, director, trustee, or employee of the recipient entity who receives compensation or holds any ownership interest therein:
     (a) If an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of the official and the office held by such person:
                
    
     (b) If an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of such person; the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related; and the nature of the relationship:
                 Krystle Ferbos Duplessis, 1527 S. Rampart, New Orleans, LA 70113, wife of Royce Duplessis, 1527 S. Rampart, New Orleans, LA 70113

     (c) The percentage of the official's or immediate family member's ownership interest in the recipient entity, if any:
                 0

     (d) The position, if any, held by the official or immediate family member in the recipient entity:
                  Board member

If the recipient entity has a contract with any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official or with the state or any political subdivision of the state:
(a) If the contract is with an elected or appointed state official, provide the name and address of the official and the office held by such person: 
               

(b) If the contract is with an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official:
          Provide the name and address of such person:
              

          Provide the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related:
               

          What is the nature of the relationship? 

(c) If the contract is with the state or a political subdivision of the state, provide the name and address of the state entity or political subdivision of the state:
                

(d) The nature of the contract, including a description of the goods or services provided or to be provided pursuant to the contract:
               


Contact Information
name:  Sr. Mary Lou Specha 
                                       address:  3923 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
New Orleans, LA 70125
                                       phone:  504-715-9798
                                       fax: 
                                       e-mail:  mlspecha@hotelhope.org
                                       relationship to entity:  Executive Director