Community Events

Free Financial Literacy Classes Begin in February

In today's harsh economic climate, with its job layoffs and cutbacks, it is more important than ever for families to understand how to manage their finances wisely. To help residents learn more about basic financial issues like credit, loans, mortgages, and savings, Regions Bank and the Community Center of St Bernard are now partnering to offer the free “Money Smart Adult Financial Education Curriculum”.

Developed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Money Smart training program helps individuals build their financial knowledge, develop financial confidence and use banking services effectively. The Money Smart Adult curriculum consists of 10 separate modules. Beginning in February, Regions Bank will offer one module each month at the Community Center of St Bernard, 1107 LeBeau St, Arabi.

The first module will be “Bank on It” which will help residents understand basic banking services including the steps involved in opening a bank account, the different kinds of deposit accounts, and the major types of insured financial institutions. Residents will have a choice of 3 classes: Saturday, February 20, 2010, from 2-3 PM; Wednesday February 24, from 2-3 PM; or Thursday, February 25, 2010 from 6-7 PM. Experienced banking staff from Regions Bank will lead these classes and provide personalized assistance to individuals working to take control of their own finances.

The classes are free, but anyone planning to attend should pre-register by phoning the Community Center at 504.281.2512 before February 12. The Money Smart modules will also be installed on the Community Center's public computers so that residents will be able to work through them at their own pace, or review the information discussed in the classes. The Community Center's computers are available Monday – Friday from 10 AM – 5 PM.

The presentation of the Money Smart Financial Literacy Program is made possible by a Self-Reliance Award from the Harry Chapin Foundation. The Foundation is dedicated to supporting programs that combat hunger and poverty and enable families to receive the help they need to achieve self-sufficiency and independence. For more information about financial literacy and the Money Smart Training programs, please phone the Community Center at 504.281.2512.

ACCION Louisiana Small Business Loans Now at the Community Center

Got a great idea for your own business? Need a loan to get started? ACCION Louisiana can help! ACCION Louisiana is a non profit organization that makes small business loans from $500 to $100,000 to entrepreneurs who want to start or expand an existing small business. Staff from ACCION Louisiana will be at the Community Center of St Bernard, 1107 LeBeau St, Arabi on Tuesdays from 10 AM until noon beginning January 26, 2010.

ACCION Louisiana makes decisions about loans based on a variety of factors, not simply on credit scores, and will be able to help many clients who may have been turned away by traditional lending sources. Loans can be used for working capital, expansion of a business or operational costs directly related to the business.

ACCION Louisiana is part of the ACCION Texas, Inc., which has become the nation's largest nonprofit microlender, making loans throughout Texas and now Louisiana. It is headquartered in San Antonio , where it was founded in 1994.

“We are delighted to have moved into Louisiana where we will be able to lend to many people with ideas and initiative who haven't been able to start or expand their businesses because of lack of funds,” Janie Barrera, founding president and CEO of ACCION Texas-Louisiana,” said.

Potential clients can apply for business loans by calling ACCION Louisiana Loan Officer Stephaney Bolden at 504-373-9695, by visiting with ACCION Louisiana staff on Tuesdays from 10 AM until noon at the Community Center, or by applying online at the ACCION Texas-Louisiana website at www.acciontexas.org . No appointment is needed; however, clients are encouraged to bring any documentation and planning information that they may have about their small business.

St. Bernard Health Center offers Free Blood Sugar Screenings and Food Budgeting Information on February 11 and 23

St. Bernard Health Center’s Healthy Lifestyle Solutions Team will be at the Community Center of St Bernard, 1107 LeBeau St, Arabi, on Thursday, February 11 from 10 AM until noon to conduct blood sugar screenings and offer tips about monitoring blood sugar and managing diabetes. The team members will pass out flyers on “Tips for monitoring blood sugars and meal plans” and discuss how a healthy diet can help control blood sugar.

The Healthy Lifestyle Solutions Team will return on Tuesday, February 23 from 10AM until noon with information about how to make healthy food choices while staying on a budget. They will distribute brochures from the Farm Bureau entitled “Tips for Better Nutrition on a Tight Budget” and include three weeks worth of sample menus based on foods typically available from Food Banks, such as the Community Center’s Mustard Seed Food Pantry which serves low-income residents every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 11 AM until 2 PM.

“It’s a great opportunity to promote how learning to use grocery dollars wisely ensures that nutrition isn’t neglected.” said Vicky Morales, Healthy Lifestyle Solutions Team Dietitian. “The Community Center of St Bernard and St. Bernard Health Center are devoted to teaching residents how to stretch their grocery dollars with healthy food. And they share a common concern with consumers when it comes to putting nutritious meals on the table while sticking to a tight budget.”

For more information about nutrition and healthy eating, please phone the St Bernard Health Center at 504.281.2832 or 504.281.2825. For questions about the Mustard Seed Food Pantry at the Community Center of St Bernard, please phone the Community Center office at 504.281.2512.

Next Free Income Tax Preparation Session is February 27

Loyola University New Orleans College of Law is partnering with the Community Center of St. Bernard, 1107 LeBeau St, Arabi to offer free income tax preparation services and electronic filing services through its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA). Sessions will be held at the Community Center of St Bernard from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on the following Saturdays: January 30, February 27, March 13, March 28 and April 10. No appointment is needed; however, residents are requested to arrive by 1:30 p.m. to ensure that their tax returns will be able to be completed by 2 p.m.

In order to receive assistance, taxpayers are reminded to bring photo identification and Social Security cards for each person included on their tax returns, as well as any W-2 forms, 1099 forms, Social Security statements and all other tax documents. For further information, please contact the Loyola College of Law VITA Program at 504.861.5668, or phone the Community Center at 504-281-2512. Loyola's VITA Program is affiliated with the Asset Building Coalition of Southeast Louisiana and the American Bar Association.

Executive Director Iray Nabatoff Honored

The New Orleans Saints have selected the Community Center's Executive Director Iray Nabatoff as one of the 2009 winners for the Saints Community Quarterback Award. This annual award is given by the Saints and NFL Charities as part of a national volunteer recognition program that has donated over $1 million to community organizations served by outstanding volunteers in NFL cities. Individuals exhibiting leadership, dedication and commitment to improving their community are qualified candidates for the award, which goes to the agency the recipient represents.

"We are proud to annually recognize outstanding volunteer citizens in our community," said Saints Owner/ Executive Vice President Rita Benson LeBlanc. "These organizations provide care, services and hope to people in need from all walks of life. This year's committee selected several inspirational recipients who, along with their representative organizations, are essential to building a stronger, healthier and more united community.”

All grant award winners will be recognized during a ceremony held at the Superdome prior to the Saints' Dec. 27 th contest vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, so be sure to watch the game this Sunday!

Free Bingo Every Tuesday Night at 5:30!

Tuesday nights are Free Bingo Nights at the Community Center of St Bernard! Everyone is invited to a family evening filled with fun, prizes, and 10 rounds of Bingo. Starting on January 5, Bingo will be held every Tuesday night starting at 5:30 PM at the Community Center of St Bernard, 1107 Lebeau St, Arabi.

There is no charge for admission, and children are welcome to join in the fun as long as they are supervised. Winners will be able to choose from a variety of prizes including vases, figurines, and handicrafts, so come out and join us for "Bingo on Lebeau"! For more information, please phone the Community Center Office at 504.281.2512.

Red Cross Hurricane Preparedness Information Available on Thursdays

Representatives from the American Red Cross St Bernard Chapter are now at the Community Center of St Bernard, 1107 LeBeau St, Arabi, from 10 AM until 12 PM every Thursday to help residents prepare for this year's hurricane season.

With hurricane season running from June 1 through November 30, now is the perfect time for residents to get Red Cross Ready. Much of the worry during hurricane season can be reduced by being prepared, and Red Cross staff at the Community Center will help families understand the three easy steps that will help them be ready if disaster strikes. These key steps include (1) Make a Plan (2) Build a Kit and (3) Stay Informed. Residents will also learn what to do if an evacuation is ordered. The disaster preparedness services provided by the Red Cross St Bernard Chapter are free to the public and no appointment is needed.

The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization, led by volunteers, that provides relief to victims of disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. The Red Cross provides emergency assistance to residents whose homes have been damaged or destroyed by fires or other disasters. The St. Bernard Chapter also links members of the U.S. Armed Forces with their families during a crisis twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.

The local Red Cross chapter trains St. Bernard Parish residents annually in First Aid, CPR, Babysitter's Training, HIV/AIDS Education, Water Safety and Pet First Aid, in addition to disaster preparedness and response. For more information about Red Cross St Bernard Chapter programs and services, please phone 504.620.2855 or visit www.arcno.org. For more information about resources available at the Community Center of St Bernard, please phone 504.281-2512 or visit www.ccstb.org.

Road Home Assistance Now Available on Tuesdays!

A representative from the Louisiana Office of Community Development – Disaster Recovery Unit will be available to assist Road Home applicants at the Community Center of St Bernard, 1107 LeBeau St, Arabi on Tuesdays from 12:30 pm – 4:00 pm beginning on May 19, 2009. Anyone whose Road Home application has not yet been closed is encouraged to attend so that they can receive personalized help to resolve their case. Homeowners are asked to bring copies of all their previous Road Home documents with them to the meeting. No appointment is necessary to receive Road Home assistance at the Community Center. For more information, please phone the Office of Community Development directly at 225.219.9600.

Free Yoga Classes Now Monday and Wednesday Nights!

Swan River Yoga and the Community Center of St Bernard are pleased to announce that the popular Yoga For The People! free yoga classes currently held every Wednesday evening will now be expanded to include Monday sessions as well.

Led by instructor Kim Martin the Monday classes will be offered every week from 6-7 PM at the Community Center of St Bernard, Arabi, beginning on November 30. The Wednesday evening classes, led by Lauren Shepley and Amanda Minogue, will also continue to meet weekly at 6 PM at the Community Center. The current Saturday morning classes are being discontinued.

The Yoga For The People! program, established in 2008, is the first New Orleans-based yoga community outreach program. Inspired by a group of yogis from NYC led by Katie McDonald, Yoga For The People! currently offers classes at a variety of locations throughout the greater New Orleans area including Catholic Charities, Trinity Episcopal Church, and the Red Cross.

“Yoga is thought to release stress, and facilitate an accelerated rate of healing of the physical body and psyche, so that we can all more fully enjoy our lives with a sense of ease, support, and delight in our community,” notes Michele Baker, who is the founder, co-owner, and director of Swan River Yoga Teacher Training School. “Health and happiness is our birthright. This is what the Yoga For The People! program hopes to provide. The classes are an opportunity for our teachers to experience Seva - compassion in action and selfless service. A supportive community is the foundation of a yoga practice. We thank the Yoga For The People! outreach partner agencies for giving us the opportunity to experience such diverse depth of relationship within our great city and region by allowing us to teach.”

Yoga class participants will learn simple breathing techniques, meditation tools, and basic poses for releasing discomfort and increasing health, benefiting the neighborhood, community, and beyond. The Community Center has 20 yoga mats on hand, but participants are welcome to bring their own. The classes are open to the public and beginners are welcome to attend. No registration is needed and there is no charge for the sessions. For more information about Swan River Yoga's many programs and services, please visit www.swanriveryoga.com.

Help Wanted - Office Assistants!

The Community Center has 2 part-time openings (20 hours/week) for Office Assistants. These positions are available through the Senior Community Service Employment Program, so you must be at least 55 years old. Basic computer and data-entry skills are needed, and you must be well-organized with a friendly, helpful attitude. For more information about these jobs, please phone Executive Director Iray Nabatoff at 504-281-2512 during normal business hours.