[StBernard] Ex-Arabi resident spearheads program to help teachers rebuild

[Westley Annis]

Ex-Arabi resident spearheads program to help teachers rebuild
Thursday, August 14, 2008By Barry Lemoine
Former Arabi resident Lou Schneider is dedicated to helping his former
neighbors. 

As construction manager for the nonprofit organization Neighborhood Housing
Services of New Orleans, Schneider has been instrumental in the NHS's
partnership with the New Orleans Hornets Organization to form Hoops For
Homes, an initiative to help teachers throughout the metropolitan area
finish repairs to their homes that were damaged by the 2005 storms and levee
breaks. 

Through the program, eligible teachers can receive up to $25,000 in grant
money for materials and home repair services. 

Local educators and Arabi residents who have already benefited from this
program include Chalmette High School teachers Dave Dessens, Jackie Hill and
Kelly McCartney. They've all had work done in their homes such as electrical
upgrades, exterior repairs, air conditioning replacement, as well as
cabinet, countertop and flooring installation. 

Schneider, an Arabi resident from 1961 to 2005, is a 1970 graduate of
Chalmette High School. He said he was glad he was able to give something
back to the school system that has given so much to his family, his wife
Linda and their two sons, Louis and William. 

"Both of my kids went to public school down here, and my wife had been very
involved in the schools, so I wanted to help as many as teachers as we
could," he said. "I'm attached to Chalmette High, there is no doubt about
that." 

Other Chalmette High School teachers benefiting from the Hoops for Hopes
program include St. Bernard residents Dennis Bradley, Kenny Bonura and
Andrea Licciardi. 

Schneider, who lives in Chalmette, is quick to credit Steve Martin, a member
of the Hornets' organization, for the good work done by the Hoops for Homes
program. 

"He was a real catalyst in getting this program started. He approached us
about helping area school teachers get into their homes. And I really pushed
to get the St. Bernard teachers involved," Schneider said. "So many people
down here just need a little help to get finished." 

Schneider said that he misses his Carolyn Park home and neighborhood in
Arabi, but is happy to be living in St. Bernard again. 

"I know this is cliché, but this is home. I've lived here my whole life. I
can't just leave," he said. 

. . . . . . . 

Barry Lemoine is an Arabi resident who writes about people and events in
Arabi. He can be reached at barrybravo at yahoo.com or 504.301.8770.