Ozanam Inn, City of New Orleans Celebrate Grand Opening of Shelter’s New Home

NEW ORLEANS — Today, Ozanam Inn and the City of New Orleans celebrated the shelter’s move into a new and expanded 31,351 square foot facility located at 2239 Poydras St. The increased capacity will allow the organization to care for 60 more individuals — including new, secure womens’ dorms that can accommodate women as overnight guests and participate in residential programs for the first time in Ozanam Inn’s history. For the ceremony, Archbishop Gregory Aymond joined the press conference for prayer and to commemorate the work of Ozanam Inn.

Since 1955, the nonprofit, direct service agency has offered emergency shelter, aid and comfort to those in need throughout the Greater New Orleans area, providing basic human needs such as food, shelter and clothing, as well as healthcare assistance and other vital services completely free of charge. 

Over the last 16 years, Ozanam Inn’s programs have grown from the basics of shelter, clothing and meals to include workforce development programs and training, medical rehabilitation, housing programs and case management. In addition to added capacity, the new facility allows the Inn to expand its medical and dental services with a dedicated clinic suite, including four medical exam rooms, a large dental exam room and a waiting area. This gives Ozanam Inns partners at LSU School of Medicine, Tulane University Medical School, LSU School of Dentistry, Healthcare for the Homeless and United Healthcare the opportunity to provide basic healthcare to hundreds more individuals each year.

“The City of New Orleans and Ozanam Inn have a longstanding partnership and I am honored to continue working with this team that is committed to meeting our city’s most venerable population where they are,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell.  “We remain focused on creating long-term solutions to eradicate homelessness in our city and have invested $3 million to acquire a larger facility that will accommodate both men and women that are unsheltered.  This critical investment is a win-win for New Orleans, and speaks to how we are strategically utilizing federal dollars to provide all residents with access to basic human needs and vital resources.”

“With women making up 30% of the homeless population, we are so grateful to be able to open our overnight services and residential programs to the women of the Greater New Orleans area,” said Ozanam Inn Chief Executive Officer Clarence Adams. “We are so grateful to work alongside the City of New Orleans, as well as our many generous donors, to continue to make a huge impact on those who come to us. Together, we can continue our mission to restore a sense of hope to our community members in need. ”

As many individuals within our city work to financially recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, Ozanam Inn remains committed to their key statement ‘We Give a Fish to Eat Today and Teach to Fish for Tomorrow’. The organization’s goal is to work with all individuals who come to them in need and assist them to move from homelessness and hopelessness to independent living and a new, renewed feeling of hope.

To learn more about Ozanam Inn visit ozanaminn.org.

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About Ozanam Inn: As a nonprofit direct service agency, Ozanam Inn serves the homeless and needy of Greater New Orleans, regardless of race, color, creed, religious preference or national origin. Ozanam Inn shelters 156 men and women per night, serves an average of 200-300 meals each day and distributes vouchers for women and children to stay at nearby shelters. Ozanam Inn is a community resource center for those in need, offering several additional programs including case management, medical services, employment readiness training, legal counsel, spiritual guidance and permanent housing support. Ozanam Inn is making a difference in people’s lives by easing their suffering and providing them hope. Despite being a small organization, it is able to provide some form of assistance to over 3,000 men, women and children annually. For more information about Ozanam Inn, visit www.ozanaminn.org.