This spring in April, Central City came alive with music, dancing, giveaways, and something even more powerful: community care. The Heal the Block initiative returned to New Orleans, transforming one of the city’s under-resourced neighborhoods into a hub for healing, hope, and connection.
Originating in Newark, NJ, Heal the Block was designed as a collaboration between public safety and community organizations to address the root causes of violence and fill critical gaps in services. “Even though resources may exist,” explained EJUSA Senior Louisiana Strategist Josie Alexander, “the community can’t always obtain them for various reasons—like red tape, transportation, or financial barriers.”
What began as a community-driven effort in Newark soon took root in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where Josie helped facilitate a version of Heal the Block that inspired a citywide violence prevention campaign. That momentum now continues in New Orleans.
Partnering with local organizations and trusted leaders, the New Orleans edition of Heal the Block took shape through deep coordination and neighborhood credibility. “It was a huge part of their relationships that brought these partners together,” Josie said. “We supported logistics and planning, but the trust from folks like Danny Allen and Ernest Johnson from Ubuntu Village NOLA made the event possible.”
The day was designed to meet tangible needs while creating space for joy and relationship-building. Attendees received essentials like hygiene kits—filled with toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, and more—alongside fun prizes. A group of college students, led by Cayla Lumar, EJUSA’s capacity building fellow and founder of the Social Justice Coalition at Xavier University, played a key role in organizing these giveaways.
There were also resource tables from victim services, health organizations, and mentoring groups, connecting attendees with services and support in real time.
But it wasn’t only about the services. “We wanted this to be an opportunity not just to get resources, but to bring the community together in joy,” said Taryn Young, EJUSA’s capacity building fellow. “There were about 100 raffles—school supplies, headphones, and speakers. Kids could spin the wheel, join dance contests, and even jump in the bouncy house. “We even had a gaming van!”
That spirit of joy and generosity was shared by the volunteers, too. “Everyone kind of just showed up to do whatever was needed,” Taryn said. “People were smiling, excited to be in the community, and even the organizations were networking among themselves.”
An intentional aspect of Heal the Block is its mobility. Each event takes place in a different neighborhood, reducing barriers to access. “The first time it was out in the East. This time it was Central City,” Taryn shared. “The goal is to go directly to the areas that need it the most.”
As the initiative grows, it continues to serve as a model for what’s possible when care, trust, and collaboration come together. “It was just amazing to see how this one event could offer so much—from joy to vital services—right in the heart of the community,” Josie reflected.
Plans are already in the works for future Heal the Block events, with hopes to launch again in June or September. Whenever and wherever it lands next, one thing is clear: the heart of this movement is healing, one block at a time.
