NEW ORLEANS – The recent devastating floods have impacted the lives of students, families, teachers and school staff across South Louisiana. Educate Now!, an organization dedicated to the effective and sustainable reform of New Orleans public schools, has compiled a list of ways people can help:
Donate Clothing and Supplies
• OPSB, RSD, and New Schools for New Orleans are collecting school supplies, new or gently used school uniforms, and gift cards for school supplies and/ or uniforms. View more information on the items they are collecting and drop off dates and locations here.
• RSD is also collecting supplies for families. View their Wish List and information on drop off dates and location here.
• New Schools for Baton Rouge (NSBR) has an Amazon Wish List with items requested by schools and families in their network. If you purchase an item on the list, it will be shipped to NSBR in Baton Rouge and they will distribute it to the school.
• NSBR is also accepting donations of school supplies and clothing at 100 Lafayette St., Suite B251, Baton Rouge, LA 70801.
For more information, call 225-384-0271.
Donate Funds
• Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana (A+PEL) has set up a Disaster Relief Fund to assist teachers with replacing classroom supplies lost in the flooding. 100% of donations go directly to teachers. For more information
• New Schools for Baton Rouge has established a School Relief Fund to help schools in their network as they work to repair flooded facilities and replace damaged textbooks and classroom supplies. For more information.
• The Baton Rouge Area Foundation has created a Louisiana Flood Relief Fund. The foundation is sending staff members across South Louisiana to find where needs are the greatest and to ensure your donation goes quickly and directly to nonprofits that are doing the most for people affected by the floods.
• The NOLA Pay It Forward Fund, activated by the Mayor of New Orleans in partnership with the Greater New Orleans Foundation, will provide resources for the early relief and rebuilding efforts of communities impacted by the floods. For more information.
Volunteer
• The RSD is coordinating volunteers to help affected schools. To sign up, complete their Volunteer Sign-Up Survey here, and someone will follow up to match you to a volunteer assignment.
• New Schools for Baton Rouge is also accepting volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering at one of their affected schools, fill out their Sign Up Form here, and an NSBR representative will contact you with additional information.
Adopt a School
• If your school is interested in "adopting" a charter school affected by the floods, fill out this online form here, and the Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools will match you with a school in need.
• If you know other ways to help schools, students or teachers affected by the floods, email Educate Now! at info@educatenow.net, and they will add the information to the How you can help page on Educate Now!'s website here.
