All News

The Results Are In

We have just completed our first 18 months of operation. The specific time period,services provided and the number of people served are as follows:

From the time period of 9/11/07-12/31/07: laundry 1,647; legal 311; medical 357; mental health 183; phones 1,761; showers 5,026; toiletries 2,527; total guests 10,622; total services 20,076

From the time period of 1/01/08- 12/31/08: laundry 4,852; legal 915; medical 2,116; mental health 452; showers 15,033; toiletries 6,735; total guests 40,658; total services 54,994

From the time period of 1/01/09-3/01/09: laundry 722; legal 209; medical 422; mental health 80; showers 2,348; toiletries1,260; total guests 7,176; total services 11,393

The total number of services provided: laundry 7,221; legal 1,435; medical 2,895; mental health 715; showers 22,407; toiletries 10,522; total guests 58,456; total services 86,463.

03/24/2009 11:35 a.m.

2009 HTC Gala

The 2009 HTC Annual Gala Fundraiser is fast approaching. On Saturday, April 4th from 7:00-11:00 PM the Tompson Center will host this annual spectacular at the Jesuit High School Commons. The theme this year is "The Harry Tompson Center goes to the Academy Awards." The event inlcudes both live and silent auctions, sumptuous food and drink from some of the finest restaurants in the city and live music to help pass the time. Also included in the event is the presentation of the 2009 Legatus Christi award. This year's recipient is Dr. Peter DeBlieux, one of our medical volunteers who spends 3 + hours a week providing quality medical care to our homeless guests.

The Gala is such an important event to the Tompson Center, as it is our only major fundraiser of the year and we count on it to bring in approximately 1/3 of our annual budget, which exceeds $300,000. There are a few ways people can help make our fundraiser a success:

1.   become a sponsor- sponsorship levels are $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500 & $5,000 (sponsorship packages include admission tickets to the Gala)

2.   purchase a ticket to the event - tickets are $50 per person and include food, drink and auction packet (tickets can be purchased ahead of time or at the door)

3.   donate auction items - we are in need of all sorts of auction items for our various tables

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, purchasing a ticket or donating an auction item, call 504-529-1477 x 221 for more details, We hope you can join us for this special event.

03/12/2009 10:50 a.m.

In Memory Of

A couple of weeks ago, the staff held a memorial service for two of our guests who recently passed away, Johnnie Isodore and Gary Sing. These two men have been visiting the Harry Tompson Center almost since its inception, and we thought it was only fitting that their passing be recognized among the community at the center. The service was attended not only by staff, but also by many of our guests and featured a reading, prayer, and a rendition of Amazing Grace. There was also time for group sharing and personal reflection. Sympathy cards were signed and distirubted to their families. Gary and Johnnie could easily bring a smile to anyone's face when they walked through our doors, and if nothing else, our memorial service conveyed that quality of these two individuals. We ask that you all share in our thoughts and prayers that they may rest in peace.

03/04/2009 10:21 a.m.

So What's Been Happening?
As the economic crisis continues to grow in the New Orleans area, we have witnessed a growth in our population frequenting the center. However, it has not at all slowed our volunteers and supporters from donating their time, talent and commodities. The Harry Tompson Center has continued to flourish over the last six months because of the continued commitment on all levels o focus on the needs of the individual. Everyone who walks through our doors has an identity. Volunteers from different colleges such as Providence, Holy Cross and the University of Detroit Mercy have visited our center providing an aspect of companionship that the homeless rarely encounter. Jim Belfon brought his Gulf Coast Photography Project back to the center for another go around during the holiday season, giving our guests the opportunity to once again have a professional holiday photograph taken. On the following day, the staff at the center supplied Christmas cards, envelopes and stamps offering the chance to mail the picture to a loved one. The extensive generosity of those who make it possible to provide for our guests has also been resilient during the slowed economy. The parishioners of Immaculate Conception went above and beyond the call of duty in their annual Giving Tree which provided many needed items such as winter clothing, hygiene products and basic medical supplies. As we all begin to look at how to sustain during the economic recession that this country, state and city of New Orleans are currently undergoing, it certainly seems as if the Harry Tompson Center and its affiliates may serve as the ideal model.
03/03/2009 6:31 p.m.

Let's See Your Smile!
Smile, it's picture day!   What an awesome opportunity was provided our guests when Jim Belfon, a professional New York photographer, brought his Gulf South Photography Project to the Rebuild Center!  Each person who sat for a picture could receive two free portraits within minutes.  It was wonderful to see the sense of pride and delight as the guests sat for their pictures and even more so when they received the photos minutes later.  Some went out immediately and showed their pictures to other in the Center.  Eighty people took advantage of the opportunity to have their pictures taken.  The offer was made that if our guests wanted to mail pictures to someone, the Center would provide envelopes and postage.  Jim Belfon and his two young assistants, Clarence Ealem and Romalis Childs, gave our guests very special treatment.  We owe a debt of gratitude to these three men.  Please click here to view a video of the day's event.
03/18/2008 2:31 p.m.
Cassie

Artistic Labor of Love
Homelessness touches us in many different ways.  For Margot Datz, it was her mother's experience of homelessness many years ago that attracted her to the ministry of the Rebuild Center at St. Joseph Church.  Margot, an artist from Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, designed and created the water mural for the Center.  The eight foot by twenty-four foot painting depicts six biblical scenes that refer to water, beginning with the flooding at the time of Noah and going through to the restful waters of Jesus, the Good Shepherd.  In February 2007, Margot did her painting on the front porch of St. Joseph Church.  Later her work was moved and hung at the Rebuild Center.  As guests enter the Center, her beautiful artwork is the first thing that they see.  Margot came back on Wednesday, March 5 for the first time since the Center opened and was able to see the place in action.  People shared with her how much her art work meant to them and the reactions of others to such a work of beauty.  The gift of her talent is a blessing to the Rebuild Center.
03/13/2008 12:52 a.m.
Don

Church of the Latter Day Saints Come Rolling In

God continues to touch the hearts of believers in responding to the needs of people who are homeless and in need.  The Church of the Latter Day Saints, under the direction of Area Welfare Specialist Elder Gary Reed, has responded to that Divine touch.  On Friday, February 29, a container truck came rolling in with ten pallettes of canned food for the emergency food program, 4100 toiletry kits, assorted hygiene items, toilet paper, six outdoor heaters to use during the wintery weather, and a refrigerated water fountain for the hot summer days.  All these gifts are valued at about $14,000.  We are deeply grateful to the Church of the Latter Day Saints for joining with us in responding to the poor and homeless people of New Orleans!  We pray for God's blessings upon the Mormons.

03/13/2008 10:26 a.m.
Don