Goals
The Jericho Road Episcopal Housing Initiative is a catalyst that will help return our people home by providing high quality, affordable permanent housing opportunities. This initiative is an investment in families and will plant the seeds for long term housing collaborations throughout the city. Our community based approach collaborates with CCRA (Central City Renaissance Alliance) and ACT (All Congregations Together) to foster a spirit of neighbor-helping-neighbor among the residents with the goal of improving the quality of life in Central City.
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 Staff
Bradford M. Powers, Executive Director
Bradford Powers has worked throughout the United States and traveled internationally, fighting for housing, health care, education, and legal representation for those in need. Brad earned a JD cum laude from University of Vermont Law School and a Masters In Law from the University of Washington School of Law. He lives in New Orleans with his wife and three daughters where he and his family are active members of Trinity Episcopal Church.
Holly Heine, Director of Operations and Communications
Holly Heine joined Jericho Road in January 2007, after serving for more than a year as Volunteer Coordinator for the Office of Disaster Response (ODR) of the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana. Holly is a former small business owner and worked in Baton Rouge managing the first Red Cross team to open a Mass Care Shelter during Hurricane Katrina. A mother of two, she lives in New Orleans with her husband, Rev. A.J. Heine, Jr. and is a member of St. Augustine's Episcopal Church in Metairie where her husband serves as rector.
Chris Ross, Director of Housing Programs
Chris Ross heads up Jericho Road's land acquisition, construction management and community relations projects. Chris is a native of New Orleans and attended Louisiana Technical University. He has worked as a director in non-profit real estate development for the past four years specializing in property acquisition and affordable housing development. Chris was selected as one of the CityBusiness Minority Success Guide winners for 2005. A licensed real estate agent for the past ten years, he was recognized as Latter & Blum's Commercial "Rookie of the Year" in 1999 for his superior achievement during his first year with the firm.
The addition of Chris as a staff member was made possible by a grant from the Greater New Orleans Foundation Community Revitalization Fund.
Jan Koszewski, Grinnell College Fellow
Jan Koszewski works primarily with the Housing Program and also assists with the development and maintenance of multimedia presentations, mapping progress of targeted neighborhood development and coordinating with neighborhood organizers. He is in New Orleans through Grinnell Corps, Grinnell College one-year fellowship program. The fellowship program is for volunteers who demonstrate commitment to community service and social justice.
Michael Robinson, Neighborhood Coordinator
Michael Robinson grew up in Dallas, Texas and moved to New Orleans shortly after graduating from high school. Serving on several planning and rebuilding boards throughout New Orleans, Michael has built partnerships with various organizations in the Central City community. He is dedicated to building communities and improving the quality of life for Central City families through neighborhood involvement. As Neighborhood Coordinator, he will serve as the liaison between Jericho Road and the Central City community, addressing the needs of residents and organizing neighborhood activities.
Colleen Connor, Development Director
A native Mississippian, Colleen Connor recently moved to New Orleans from Charleston, South Carolina where she attended The College of Charleston. After working as a Public Relations and Marketing professional for several years, Colleen began focusing her efforts on the nonprofit sector and worked with a variety of nonprofit organizations for over five years. As Development Director, Colleen will be responsible for developing relationships with Jericho Road supporters and researching the available foundations, grants and resources that provide Jericho Road with the support it needs to achieve the goal of community revitalization.
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Board Members
 The Right Reverend Charles E. Jenkins Chair
Bishop Charles E. Jenkins is the tenth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana. Bishop Jenkins is a Louisiana native. He is a graduate of Louisiana Tech University and Nashota House Seminary and holds an honorary doctorate degree from the University of the South. Bishop Jenkins participates in many interdenominational activities within Louisiana and national activities within the Episcopal Church. The Bishop’s current work includes being at the forefront of the diocese’s “Grow the Vision” capital campaign to raise funds for campus ministry in New Orleans, new church starts in growing areas and a diocesan youth conference center. Bishop Jenkins also recently partnered with Episcopal Relief and Development to form the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana’s Office of Disaster Response.
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 The Very Reverend David Allard duPlantier Vice Chair
The Very Reverend David Allard duPlantier has served Christ Church Cathedral since 2002 as the 13th Dean and 27th Rector. Dean duPlantier devotes his time to the Executive Board of the Diocese of Louisiana, the Jeremiah interfaith ministry, the conference of North American Cathedral Deans, the Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes, the Diocesan Rebuilding Committee, the Spafford Children’s Center and Anglican ministry in the Middle East. He is a graduate of Miami University and The General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church. |
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 Christopher Beary, Esq. Treasurer
Chris Beary is an attorney and certified public accountant. Mr. Beary practices law including business law, commercial litigation, commercial transactions, bankruptcy, healthcare, legal malpractice and accountants’ malpractice, successions, and estate planning. He is a former Senior Warden of Christ Church Cathedral. Mr. Beary is a member of the American Bar Association, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Louisiana State Society of Certified Public Accountants. Mr. Beary graduated from the University of New Orleans and Tulane University Law School. |
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 Pastor Emmanuel Smith, Jr.
Dr. Emanuel Smith, Jr. serves as pastor of the Israelite Baptist Church in Central City. Dr. Smith is the President and CEO of the Liberty City Community Development Corporation and is a former professor and alumnus of Union Baptist Theological Seminary. He also attended the University of New Orleans and Mississippi Valley State College.
Pastor Smith has been involved in efforts to reduce crime in Central City and is an active leader in launching community programs for area residents. |
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 Julie George, Esq.
Julie Livaudais George works as an attorney in New Orleans. She is active on the board of many local community, cultural, and healthcare organizations. Ms. George has presided over the Junior League of New Orleans, the Board of Trustees of Country Day School, and the women of Trinity Church. She is a Stanford University and Tulane Law School graduate. In 2007, Ms. George was named a top New Orleans lawyer by New Orleans Magazine and she received the Leadership in Law award from New Orleans City Business. |
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 The Reverend Susan Gaumer
Mother Susan Gaumer is an ordained Episcopal Priest and is the current Ecumenical Officer for the Diocese of Louisiana. She serves as rector at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in New Orleans and on the Standing Commission on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations for the Episcopal Church. While at Sewanee, she received the Woods Leadership Award.
Prior to ordination, Mother Gaumer served as a school Chaplain at St. Martin’s School in Metairie and on the Bishop’s staff as the coordinator of Christian Education. Mother Gaumer is a graduate of Mt. Holyoke College, John Hopkins University, the School of Theology, and the University of the South. |
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 Superintendent John E. Pierre
Supt. Pierre serves as Pastor of Living Witness Church of God in Christ, and District Superintendent of “Lighting the Way District”, of Louisiana East Second Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of the Church of God in Christ International. He also serves as Jurisdictional Executive Secretary.
Supt. Pierre is a Vietnam veteran, attended Delgado Junior College, Southern University at New Orleans, St. Mary’s Dominican College, Union Baptist Theological Seminary, and holds a Bachelor of Theology degree from the University of Dorchester.
Supt. Pierre participates in the leadership of many community organizations. He serves as Chairman of Oretha Castle Haley Merchants and Business Association, Chaplain on the Board of Central City Economic Opportunity Corporation, Central City Renaissance Alliance, and New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation, as well as other boards and committees. |
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 Ellen Ball
Ellen Ball is the treasurer of the Mobile Loaves and Fishes ministry, a former vestry member and Senior Warden of Trinity Episcopal Church. Ms. Ball has been a member on the New Orleans Summer Bridge Advisory Committee, St. George’s Episcopal School, Isidore Newman School and the Junior League of New Orleans community boards. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Ms. Ball is a consultant in land management.
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 Jonathan Stewart
Jonathan Stewart is a graduate of Tulane University, where he received Bachelor of Science in Management degrees in Business Management and Marketing. He currently works as a Recertification Advisor for the Federal Emergency Management Agency in New Orleans. Jonathan is also a proud homeowner of a new Jericho Road home. |
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 Sgt. Yolanda Jenkins
Sergeant Yolanda Jenkins is a police officer for the New Orleans Sixth District Police Department in Central City. She is dedicated to providing safety and security to all residents of New Orleans and is committed to the rebuilding and revitalization of the Central City community. |
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