Our Lady of Prompt Succor School is expanding to better serve St. Bernard Parish’s post-Katrina community with the help of $4 million in funding from FEMA.

This funding comes from damages incurred during Hurricane Katrina at St. Mark’s School, another Catholic school located in St. Bernard Parish prior to the storm. The Archdiocese of New Orleans submitted an alternate project request to FEMA, asking to use the eligible funding from six previously obligated grants for St. Mark’s School toward the construction of a new classroom building at OLPS. 

“We have approved the Archdiocese’s alternate project request in an effort to best support their own rebuilding plans,” said Andre Cadogan, FEMA’s Louisiana Recovery Office Deputy Director, Programs. “The alternate project option is just one of many flexible funding options provided to applicants under our Public Assistance Program.”

FEMA’s Public Assistance Program works with state and local officials to fund recovery measures of both government and certain nonprofit organizations. With its main purpose as an educational facility, the Archdiocese of New Orleans’ OLPS qualifies to receive FEMA funding as a private nonprofit applicant. 

“I am pleased that construction on the new building at OLPS will be able to begin soon and that the school may continue to be a positive example of success in Catholic education,” said Archbishop Gregory Aymond. “I am grateful to FEMA for their continuing to work with us post-Katrina to see that our schools may best serve the communities, especially in St. Bernard Parish.”  

Once built, the new school building will be a single story structure with an area of approximately 12,600 square feet. It will house eight classrooms, a lobby, break room and restroom facilities, as well as provide space for storage, mechanical and electrical items.

“OLPS is extremely grateful and appreciative of the efforts that FEMA has given to make our school whole once again,” said OLPS Principal Sharon Coll. “It is through their support we have been able to rebuild, for FEMA has provided the financial assistance necessary to rebuild the educational lives of our students. Without their assistance it would have been extremely difficult if not impossible to have achieved so much.”