New Orleans, LA - March 13, 2009 - The National Board of Episcopal Church Women (ECW) has chosen Jericho Road Episcopal Housing Initiative as its featured nonprofit for all 2009 philanthropic efforts..
"The support of the ECW means our efforts are being recognized on a national level," says Jericho Road Executive Director Brad Powers. "As we begin this partnership, we have realized that Jericho Road's philosophies strongly align with those of the mission and work of the ECW."
Comprised of nine provinces across the country, ECW set an initial campaign goal of $110,000 to be reached by their Triennial Convention in July 2009.
The National Board is asking all Episcopal Church Women throughout the nine provinces to come together to raise funds. All contributors to the ECW Jericho Road House Project will be recognized at the Triennial Convention. 100% of the donations go towards placing working families in Jericho Road homes.
On March 1st, the ECW National Board convened its annual board meeting at the Solomon Episcopal Conference Center in Robert, Louisiana. The group kicked off their week with Jericho Road. After Eucharist and a luncheon at Christ Church Cathedral, the group toured Central City, stopping at several of the already inhabited Jericho Road properties, visiting three homes under construction and learning more about Jericho Road's future parks and community projects.
Jericho Road representatives demonstrated the organization's commitment to provide affordable, energy-efficient housing that incorporates three central elements: 1) universal design, 2) green building practices and 3) architectural design that is characteristic of the historic Central City neighborhood.
These elements, combined with efforts to encourage homebuyer training and participation in neighborhood associations, demonstrate Jericho Road's holistic and total-systems approach to the building process. The commitment to the health and overall well-being of new homeowners impressed the ECW Board and confirmed how important Jericho Road's work is to the Central City community.
For more information on Jericho Road and its rebuilding efforts in New Orleans, click here.