House of Esther Ministry

House of Esther Outreach Ministry is a non-profit faith-based initiative that endeavors to provide services to those who are homeless or at the risk of becoming homeless in the Greater New Orleans Community and surrounding areas through targeted outreach efforts. Our mission began in 2007 supporting displaced Hurricane Katrina survivors wanting to return to New Orleans by providing information about affordable housing in the New Orleans area and assisting individuals and families to transition.

Founder/Director, Pastor Joycelyn Santee continues this effort to the homeless population relenting that "we can no longer stereotype the homeless solely as people bound by drugs or mental illness because, in our society and with this economy all of us are at-risk of becoming homeless." She further states that "help for the homeless must be re-defined to meet the growing needs of the community due to Homelessness not being just a condition...BUT A MINDSET!" This journey has lead HOEM to conduct homeless outreaches here in the City of New Orleans such as the "5 to 1 for LongLife Health Awareness Fair," where HIV, Blood Pressure, and Blood Glucose screening was available onsite to the Homeless community. Information on nutrition, health, medical assistance, and other services in the area was provided. Health conscious bag lunches with healthy food such as Turkey Sandwiches, apples, oranges, granola bars and bottled water. In addition, hygiene bags with essential items that serve to remind them that their health is important was distributed.

The "Hats and Coats for the Homeless," outreach designed to provide winter clothing items to the homeless in our community; during the cold winter months is held yearly. Members of the business community are invited to offer pro-bono services onsite to help them with legal issues that may have been preventing them from securing employment or maintaining housing; "A Birthday Celebration and Job Awareness Fair for the Homeless" was held under the bridge where we celebrated the birthdays of the homeless with ice cream, cake and gifts; providing employment screenings onsite for potential hiring by companies attending the outreach.

Since then, our outreach efforts have expanded despite the COVID 19 Pandemic to include "WORTH IT" Homeless Outreach Banquets, All expense paid overnight Retreats for Women and Men, Friday Night Fire Bible Study in selected shelters, and our "Back on Track" Adult Literacy Program providing tutoring for Basic reading, writing and math skills as well as GED tutoring and training onsite at the shelter. Following the threat of the spread of coronavirus, House of Esther continued its service to the homeless by conducting outreaches to provide PPE items such as face masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, food and hygiene product to the homeless community. Information for free COVID 19 prevention, testing, and treatment was also provided for their safety.

Testimonials

"Nikki" attended our 2020 Worth It Retreat for women at the Bethel Encounter Retreat Center in Kiln Mississippi after approaching her in her then "home" a tent under the bridge. Her spirit mind and soul was revived by the inspiration received at the retreat and came back motivated to change her situation for the better. She is now in her own home and continues to volunteer at our HOEM outreaches.