Published: July 23, 2025
As part of Jericho Road’s Homeownership Month celebration, neighbors, volunteers, and community partners came together for our Bling Your Block Beautification Event at Saratoga Square in New Orleans’ historic Central City neighborhood.
Held on June 28 and co-hosted by the Neighborhood Development Foundation (NDF), the event marked the first in a two-part summer series focused on neighborhood beautification and community connection. A second event is planned for July, continuing this work of strengthening neighborhoods through hands-on collaboration.
Volunteers from the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority (NORA) joined local residents, Jericho Road staff, and community leaders for a day of visible improvement and neighborhood pride. The day began with welcome remarks and a visit from State Senator Royce Duplessis, followed by painting projects to refresh the fences of two neighboring homes. Community Engagement Officer Erica Williams of the NOPD Sixth District also joined in, working side by side with volunteers and homeowners.
Bling Your Block is about more than beautification. Supporting homeowners with improvement projects helps protect property value, encourage neighborhood stability, and build community pride—key components of Jericho Road’s post-purchase homeowner support and holistic community development work. By focusing on beautification, financial coaching, and home maintenance training, Jericho Road helps low- and moderate-income families, especially seniors, protect their investment and stay connected to the communities they love.
This event also marked the local kickoff of Katrina 20, a regional reflection on 20 years of recovery and rebuilding since Hurricane Katrina. Having built 14 affordable homes in Saratoga Square in 2012 and 2013, Jericho Road returned to this neighborhood to continue its mission of supporting generational wealth through homeownership and neighborhood revitalization.
“This Bling Your Block was not just about beautifying homes, it was about strengthening our neighborhoods and renewing our commitment to building generational wealth through homeownership,” said Nicole Barnes, Executive Director of Jericho Road.
Bling Your Block was made possible with support from NDF, NORA, and generous contributions from Hancock Whitney Bank, Sherwin-Williams, and The Home Depot.
Read the full press release here.