HOOPS FOR HOMES REACHES OUT TO TEACHERS

Next phase of program aims to help educators get back into their homes

November 27, 2007

The New Orleans Hornets announced today that local teachers will become the focus of the next phase of the team’s Hoops for Homes initiative.

In partnership with Neighborhood Housing Services and with financial support from NeighborWorks® America, Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation, The Salvation Army, and star center Tyson Chandler, the Hornets will provide gap funding to help educators from across the New Orleans metropolitan area finish repairs to their storm-damaged houses, enabling them to finally return home. The program will be administered by Neighborhood Housing Services of New Orleans.

“Teachers are among our most treasured assets, and the passion they show for rebuilding New Orleans must be met by a community grateful for their contributions and eager to help them rebuild,” said Hornets owner George Shinn. “By focusing the efforts of our Hoops for Homes initiative on teachers, we can help ease their personal burden of rebuilding and free them to focus their efforts on the important task of educating our children.”

In addition to the financial and material aid and services provided by the initiative’s partners, Chandler, the NBA’s second leading rebounder last season, announced his support for Hoops for Homes by pledging a donation for every rebound he grabs this season to the initiative through his Rebound to Rebound program. Chandler will also appear in public service announcements raising awareness for Hoops for Homes.

“Helping communities rebound from disaster starts with rebuilding homes,” said Chandler. “There are a number of teachers that have had a lasting impact on my life, and giving back to the teachers of this community is one way I can honor their role in my life and help to rebuild New Orleans at the same time.”

Gap funding is available to qualified applicants who are certified teachers from both public and private schools throughout Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard, Plaquemines, St. John the Baptist, and St. Tammany parishes, and are still short of the amount of money needed to complete repairs on their storm-damaged homes after insurance settlements and state or federal government assistance.