NEW ORLEANS – Wednesday, August 5, 2026, the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office (OPDA), the Isaiah Institute of New Orleans, and Communities of Hope (COH) announced a six-month memorandum of understanding making up to $116,667 in private bridge funding available to sustain COH’s community engagement while it works toward becoming an independent nonprofit.
Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Rogers Williams said, “Public safety is built block by block, relationship by relationship. This bridge funding helps Communities of Hope stay present in neighborhoods, elevate resident voices and connect community insight to coordinated action across New Orleans.”
The funds are expected to be allocated from IMTT’s fund with the Greater New Orleans Foundation (GNOF). COH supports the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office New Orleans Data-Informed Community Engagement (NODICE) Initiative by organizing faith communities, neighborhood groups and residents around public safety and community health.
Andre Gaudin said, “When NODICE helps identify opportunities to better serve the public, trusted neighborhood partners like Communities of HOPE are essential to turning that insight into action. COH meets residents in congregations, at community gatherings and throughout their neighborhoods, connecting them to the work being done to improve public safety. When residents can see and experience the results of that collaboration, it builds trust and demonstrates the real impact of OPDA and COH working together.”
