We go to work when disasters strike
Hurricane Ida – 2021
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Hurricanes Laura & Delta & Zeta – 2020
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Pandemic 2020-2022
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EF3 Tornados 2017, 2022, 2023
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Great Flood 2016
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Hurricane Ida – 2021 * Hurricanes Laura & Delta & Zeta – 2020 * Pandemic 2020-2022 * EF3 Tornados 2017, 2022, 2023 * Great Flood 2016 *
Born from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, HandsOn New Orleans has dedicated itself to serving our community through every phase of the Disaster Management Cycle.
Preparedness: Each summer, we equip vulnerable populations with the tools and knowledge to stay safe before storms hit. Our team provides emergency preparedness education, updates on city, state, and federal response plans, and distributes shelter-in-place kits to those most at risk.
Response: When crises strike, we act swiftly. We’ve managed Louisiana’s multi-agency donation warehouse and the city’s resource center, partnered with World Central Kitchen to deliver more than 35,000 meals weekly for two years during the COVID-19 pandemic, and deployed teams to assist in recovery efforts after Hurricane Harvey and local tornadoes. From mucking and gutting homes after the Great Flood to restoring neighborhoods, our hands are always ready to help.
Recovery: In the wake of Hurricane Ida, we invested $1 million to help survivors rebuild—funding roof repairs, home restoration, furniture replacement, and rent assistance. Our support reached low-income seniors, single parents, families with special needs children, and Tribal communities, helping them not just return home, but rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.
Mitigation: We take proactive steps to reduce disaster risks before they begin—planting trees to prevent street flooding, cool urban heat, and strengthen neighborhood resilience.
Our Executive Director, Chris, is widely recognized for his calm authority and deep operational expertise in times of crisis. His experience spans natural and human-caused disasters alike—from developing policy frameworks in higher education to leading emergency response teams on the ground.
As a thought leader in the Points of Light Global Network, Chris has shared his insights internationally, advising affiliates in Los Angeles, Warsaw, Bucharest, Budapest, and São Paulo on building humanitarian capacity and disaster resilience.
Between 2020 and 2024, Chris served as Board Member and Treasurer of the Louisiana Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (LAVOAD).
