New Orleans, LA – The Foundation for Louisiana (FFL) today announced that the next edition of its esteemed LEAD (Leadership, Engagement, Advocacy, and Development) community training program will begin January 19, 2019. The LEAD program gives Louisiana residents the tools to steer local and regional decision-making processes that most affect their communities.
True to FFL’s mission of strengthening vulnerable communities, this year’s BUILD Health focus is on public health, displacement, transportation and mobility – especially in and around the city’s Claiborne Corridor, where these issues increasingly effect residents’ lives.
“We’ve been thinking about the intersections of transportation access and public health for some time. And we know that, if community leaders are a part of the planning process, we can create transportation systems that drastically improve people’s health outcomes,” says Flozell Daniels, Jr., President of Foundation for Louisiana and Chairman of the Regional Transit Authority (RTA).
“Where we locate stops, what forms of transportation we provide, how we intentionally coordinate with other modes of transportation and city planning… these details are important to consider in addressing the overall health needs of our community. This includes strategic and bold steps to broaden access to health care facilities across the region.”
Hosted over a period of eight weeks, the program will bring in guest experts to host sessions in such fields as transportation planning, community organizing, advocacy, public policy, and land use and development. Through these interactive lessons, participants develop the skills that they need to enact positive change – especially around transportation and mobility – while networking with a variety of other community leaders to build strong relationships between various sectors in and around New Orleans.
Participants in the LEAD Program will:
- Identify social justice interest and envision leading change in their communities around equitable transportation options – especially in improving access to economic and health-related opportunities
- Build relationships with other dedicated community members and LEAD participants
- Understand and navigate the multiple agencies, departments, and government officials that play a role in transportation decisions
- Learn how other communities are using transportation policies to increase equitable outcomes and what lessons might apply to our unique New Orleans context
- Learn more about the Foundation for Louisiana and its LEAD programs
- With funding from University Medical Center New Orleans and the BUILD Health Challenge Awards for U.S. cities, the program will be presented in partnership with: Foundation for Louisiana, Louisiana Public Health Institute, RideNOLA, LCMC Health, Transdev (in service to the Regional Transit Authority), New Orleans Health Department, New Orleans Business Alliance, and the City of New Orleans.
To apply, nominate a resident for LEAD: BUILD Health, or learn more about the program, contact Monique at mbrown@foundationforlouisiana.org.
For media inquiries, contact Klie at kkliebert@foundationforlouisiana.org.