The work of the Community Ministry Team is focused on the words of Christ to “Love your neighbor as yourself,” (Luke 10:27). With the members of SCAPC, we strive to support the work of local ministries with our time, our talents and our treasure. As listed below, these ministries help local at-risk youth; offer companionship to older adults; provide tutoring for elementary children; provide shelter, food, medical care and counseling for the homeless; assist with affordable medical care for the working poor; and building houses for the homeless and low-income. The opportunities to give and serve are endless, for the need is ever great.

THE ADEN PROGRAM is a ministry offering a safe and caring environment for a loved one experiencing memory care issues. This daytime ministry offers fellowship and activities for the participant while providing peace of mind to the caregiver and allowing the caregiver a time of respite. The program runs Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. For more information click here.

CAFÉ RECONCILE is an education and training program for at risk youth ages 16-22 to work in the service industry, with particular emphasis on the restaurant business. CAFE Reconcile is one of NOLA’s best local eateries!

CRESCENT CITY CAFÉ is a twice-monthly breakfast serving homeless and marginalized New Orleanians with dignity and love. Volunteers are largely young adults who seek to connect through service.

EDEN HOUSE is a ministry for women who have survived prostitution, addiction and human trafficking. The home accepts women for two years, free of charge, while providing space for healing, programs for recovery and opportunities for job training.

JLNO DIAPER BANK: The Junior League of New Orleans’ Diaper Bank helps families from the bottom up. Leveraging the strength of the JLNO’s entire membership, this program raises the community’s awareness of the “diaper need,” hosts diaper drives, buys diapers at a highly discounted rate, provides volunteer support for sorting, packing, distributing and storing diapers.

KINSHIP CENTER is a senior day activity center open to those 60 years and older. Various activities, classes, exercise, and a hot lunch are available. The Center’s mission is to provide seniors with an outlet for socialization and mental and physical stimulation as well as aiding in the development of life skills.

LIBERTY’S KITCHEN is a social enterprise dedicated to transforming the lives of vulnerable New Orleans youth. It provides a path to bright and healthy futures through employability and life skills training and by providing freshly prepared, nutritious meals to school children.

NEW ORLEANS CHARTER SCIENCE AND MATH HIGH SCHOOL is a charter school which provides a rigorous education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics to traditionally under-served high school students in Orleans Parish. It is among the very few open-admissions science and math high schools in the country.

NEW ORLEANS MISSION is a homeless shelter providing lodging, job training, food, clothing, adult education, and substance abuse rehab. The Mission serves the largest population of homeless in the metro area.

NEW ORLEANS WOMEN’S AND CHILDREN’S SHELTER’S mission is to enable women and their children to transition from a life of homelessness and poverty to one of stability and self-sufficiency. They provide for families from diverse backgrounds, including women in all stages of their pregnancy and those with children.

OKRA ABBEY: Reinvigorated by SCAPC YAV’s for the past two years, this community garden is growing and expanding to serve the local community and teach children and familiies the benefits of fresh produce. SCAPC funds the stand-alone garden along with the full time staff person for the garden.

PROGRAM OF HOPE is a homeless ministry at First Presbyterian Church staffed by volunteers from many churches in greater New Orleans. It provides housing/shelter vouchers, bus tokens, lunches, hygiene items, clothing, counseling, prayer, worship, financial and volunteer support. SCAPC provides funding and serves lunch on Wednesdays.

RAINTREE CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES is a social service agency giving hope to abandoned, abused or neglected girls through group housing, single family foster care, and developmental disabilities case management.

REBUILDING HOPE IN NEW ORLEANS (RHINO), SCAPC’s homegrown ministry, has grown from a disaster recovery program to a premier mission destination organization for national and international volunteers. RHINO has hosted nearly 6,000 youth and adults as they have volunteered over 208,000 service hours and helped rebuild homes, promoted childhood nutritional health, supported adults with developmental disabilities, fed the homeless, and most recently reached out to Baton Rouge and Denham Springs.

SCAPC CARROLLTON CAMPS, programs unique to SCAPC, provide nurturing and enriching sessions over the Christmas and summer breaks. Activities include art, music, drama, academic enrichment, athletics, and many New Orleans-themed guest speakers and special events.

ST. THOMAS CLINIC: Since 1987, this neighborhood clinic, founded to provide medical care to the poor, is now the largest of its kind. The clinic includes sites which deliver medical care as well as behavioral health support to over 300 patients daily.

START THE ADVENTURE IN READING (STAIR) is a children’s literacy program that provides tutoring for at-risk public elementary school students. Over 300 STAIR-trained volunteer tutors serve 250 1st-3rd grade students from 30+ schools at 29 local tutoring sites in greater New Orleans. SCAPC provides funding, operational space and volunteers.

VICTORIES IN SERVICE is an after-school program that focuses on academics, character, spirituality and sports for kindergarten through fourth grade. Currently located in Samuel Green, Langston Hughes and Arthur Ashe Charter schools. The agency serves 150 children.

YMCA EDUCATIONAL SERVICES (YES!) provides educational services for adults in reading and language comprehension and computer literacy.

YOUNG ADULT VOLUNTEERS (YAV) is an international volunteer program of PCUSA for young adults. SCAPC sponsors YAV’s who work across multiple sites across the city.

WHITE GIFT is the annual SCAPC gift drive to help children and parents in need. SCAPC members “adopt” a child for Christmas and purchase gifts that address the child’s needs and wants.

If you would like to join us in our work, please contact Community Ministry Chair, Brad Stillwagon at brad.stillwagon@hancockwhitney.com.