Ozanam Inn - New Orleans, Louisiana

Introduction

The Ozanam Inn, a beacon of hope and compassion in the heart of New Orleans, has been serving the homeless and vulnerable populations since 1959. Named after Frédéric Ozanam, the founder of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the Inn is a testament to the power of community and charity. Located at 2239 Poydras St, New Orleans, LA 70119, the Ozanam Inn is more than just a homeless shelter; it's a lifeline of support, providing a variety of services to help individuals and families overcome homelessness and rebuild their lives.

Main Services

• Emergency Shelter: The Ozanam Inn offers a safe and welcoming place to stay for those in need, with beds for up to 150 individuals each night. They provide a clean, secure environment, with showers, laundry facilities, and a dining room serving three meals a day.
• Case Management: The Inn's dedicated staff works closely with guests to assess their needs, develop personalized plans, and connect them with appropriate resources. This holistic approach helps guests address the root causes of their homelessness and work towards long-term stability.
• Outreach Services: The Ozanam Inn's outreach team works on the streets of New Orleans, providing essential supplies like food, clothing, and hygiene kits to those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. They also offer transportation to the Inn for those in need of shelter.
• Supportive Housing: The Inn operates several permanent supportive housing units throughout New Orleans. These programs provide stable housing and wrap-around services to help formerly homeless individuals and families maintain their housing and rebuild their lives.
• Vocational Training and Employment Assistance: The Ozanam Inn's St. Martin de Porres Employment Center offers job training, job placement assistance, and support to help guests secure and maintain employment.
• Health and Wellness Services: The Inn partners with local healthcare providers to offer medical, dental, and mental health services to its guests. They also provide substance abuse treatment and recovery support.

Location and Access

The Ozanam Inn is conveniently located in the Central Business District of New Orleans, just off Interstate 10 and easily accessible by public transportation. The nearest streetcar stop is the Julia Street Station, served by the St. Charles Streetcar line. The Inn also provides free transportation to and from its supportive housing locations.

Parking is available on-site for guests and visitors, with a wheelchair-accessible parking space near the main entrance. The building is also wheelchair-accessible, with elevator access to all floors.

Featured Characteristics

• Pet-Friendly: The Ozanam Inn welcomes pets, understanding the importance of the human-animal bond, especially for those experiencing homelessness. They provide pet supplies and work to connect guests with pet-friendly housing options.
• Laundry Facilities: The Inn offers free laundry facilities for guests to wash and dry their clothes, promoting hygiene and dignity.
• Life Skills Training: The Ozanam Inn provides workshops and classes to help guests develop essential life skills, such as financial literacy, budgeting, and parenting.
• Community Engagement: The Inn hosts various community events and holiday celebrations, fostering a sense of belonging and community among its guests and volunteers.

Practical Information

• Hours of Operation: The Ozanam Inn's emergency shelter operates 24/7, with intake for shelter beds occurring between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM daily. Other services, such as case management and employment assistance, are typically available Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
• Donations: The Inn accepts donations of clothing, toiletries, and other essential items to support its programs. They also welcome financial contributions to help fund their services. More information can be found on their website.
• Volunteer Opportunities: The Ozanam Inn relies on volunteers to help with a variety of tasks, from serving meals to assisting with administrative work. Volunteer opportunities are available for individuals and groups, both on-site and off-site. Interested volunteers can contact the Inn for more information.

Positive Aspects from Reviews

Many reviews of the Ozanam Inn highlight the compassion, dignity, and respect shown to guests by the staff and volunteers. One review noted, "The staff and volunteers are incredibly kind, patient, and understanding. They treat everyone with respect and make you feel like a valued member of their community." Another review praised the Inn's pet-friendly policy, stating, "The fact that they allow pets is a game-changer for many people experiencing homelessness." Many reviewers also commended the Inn's cleanliness, the quality of the meals served, and the wide range of services offered to help guests overcome homelessness and rebuild their lives.

👍 Reviews of Ozanam Inn

Brandon L. C.

5/5

I give this organization the highest praise. They took me in on my travels and gave me food, a place to sleep and was very awesome and inspirational in my opinion. I am motivated to create my own organization similar to this one now. I am simply overwhelmed by the great mission this organization is on. Thanks from the most high. I love this place, thank you again.

Demetris W.

1/5

Well I actually live in this place, first I would like to say it's ok but the place needs real workers, the ladies that needs the help don't get the help that they actually need, to get anything you need, you would have to be a worker to get it.
They don't even get a decent hot meal, it's grits and doughnuts every morning with water, when it's time to eat out last meal, we get sandwiches every night with mustard, some of us can't have mustard, in three of the dorms it's hot , we barely feel the air. When it comes to protection, they not all the way for protection, when someone gets a real job, we got to lose our place for a bed if we don't make there on time, even the mail, we get there late we can't get mail until the next day. So basically I feel like they don't want any one to make it out here all this is just for money for the workers, plus the workers only get paid $5, 10, or 15 dollars an hour that's not enough to live off, I am not a worker but I do work, so I have to cut the rest of my hours just to have a place to stay, now that's the oz

Keyonna V.

1/5

Very disrespectful Nasty Dirty a homeless mess. Very messy staff

James S.

3/5

It is ok I only had the experience of staying one night.They sure help keep me out of the weather got shower hot food nice bed to sleep in.

diana C.

5/5

I used to live in warehouse district and hired guys from there numerous times to help with moving furniture etc. always polite and respectful. The inn teach the guys skills and rehabilitates them to get back out there and get a job, need more places like this

AffordableCookingLifestlye B.

5/5

The Homeless Program Workers Are Playing with People Food A Little Too much, For Breakfast The Men Only Gets Grits, While The Women Gets Grits, eggs, Donuts, For Dinner The Men Get Turkey Sandwiches, While The Women Get styrofoam Dinner Plates, It Don't Cost To Give Respect.

Gina Z.

3/5

It most definitely don't look like the picture

Christopher C.

5/5

I've only been homeless once in my life. Before I was evicted, called all over the city to get information on what organization can deliver the best services. I was truly blessed to find the "OZ". Not only did they help me find employment, but, also affordable housing. Every penny of the 80% I was required to save per paycheck was returned when I moved out of the facility. I honestly can't imagine where I'd be without their help and support ❤️

Brandon L. C.

5/5

I give this organization the highest praise. They took me in on my travels and gave me food, a place to sleep and was very awesome and inspirational in my opinion. I am motivated to create my own organization similar to this one now. I am simply overwhelmed by the great mission this organization is on. Thanks from the most high. I love this place, thank you again.

jeffrey R.

3/5

I want to start out by saying it is a blessing it exists at all. To potentially have a place to at least lay your head at night is very nice. Now that being said that's about it. The "meals" they provide mostly consists of 2 sandwiches. Sometimes they have volunteers who bring meals or serve food which was very nice but the rules they have there are too much. They do not accommodate or help you find work they don't even want you to be there all day they force you outside unless it's meal time they don't have any kind of storage so everyone stuff is just laying about in the back they staff is mostly made up of people working for free so they can get a permenant bed. I think it's sick actually. They have it set up so if your sign up to be a worker they pay you something like 50 bucks a week. They don't let you leave the facility for the first two weeks once you do start working And if you do your fired and have to wait all over again for an open position. All in all I place to sleep if you really need it, but with the amount of free labor going on there the place should absolutely be in better shape.

April

1/5

If I could them no stars I would they treat people like dogs feed people sandwiches every night for lunch you get 1 scoop of beans and a scoop of rice they leave the
You outside in the heat without cold water you have to beg to use the restroom they talk to the homeless people like we are in prison and they are suppose to be helping us! The staff steals our belongings and treat us less then human beings DO NOT COME HERE!!!

Keyonna V.

1/5

Very disrespectful Nasty Dirty a homeless mess. Very messy staff

Demetris W.

1/5

Well I actually live in this place, first I would like to say it's ok but the place needs real workers, the ladies that needs the help don't get the help that they actually need, to get anything you need, you would have to be a worker to get it.
They don't even get a decent hot meal, it's grits and doughnuts every morning with water, when it's time to eat out last meal, we get sandwiches every night with mustard, some of us can't have mustard, in three of the dorms it's hot , we barely feel the air. When it comes to protection, they not all the way for protection, when someone gets a real job, we got to lose our place for a bed if we don't make there on time, even the mail, we get there late we can't get mail until the next day. So basically I feel like they don't want any one to make it out here all this is just for money for the workers, plus the workers only get paid $5, 10, or 15 dollars an hour that's not enough to live off, I am not a worker but I do work, so I have to cut the rest of my hours just to have a place to stay, now that's the oz