Belle Reve provides permanent and transitional housing along with full support services to adults and familes living with AIDS or HIV-related illnesses. Service is provided regardless of a resident’s race, gender, age or sexual orientation.

A painting of Belle Reve by one of our residents, James.

History

Serving the HIV/AIDS population of New Orleans, Belle Reve was the first non-profit, assisted living facility of its kind to be licensed in the State of Louisiana. Belle Reve has consistently received superior ratings and honors from monitoring agencies, including a “Certificate of Merit for Outstanding Service” from the City of New Orleans and a “Special COmmendation” from the United States Department of State. Additionally, our Executive Director, Vicki Weeks has been honored with an “Acclaim Award” from the Forum for Equality for her tireless work in the HIV/AIDS community. Belle Reve has also won corporate and foundation funding from MAC Cosmestics, Harrah’s Casino, BellSouth, Walmart and the Almar Foundation among others.

Chartered in September 1992 and opening its doors in March 1993, Belle Reve has 501(c)3 non-profit status. Since opening, Belle Reve has provided a home and full support services for low-income and homeless adults and families living with HIV/AIDS. As the needs of the community increased, Belle Reve responded in kind and has recently received federal funding to renovate the neighboring Belle Esprit house into four apartments. Additionally, local interior designer Chet Pourciau in conjunction with Eric Hess of Hess Marketing donated time and talents to decorate the Belle Esprit community living room. Work has also been undertaken to renovate the warehouse garage Belle Grace into another eight person group home.

Services Provided

1. *24 hour personal care, provided by fully certified Personal Care Attendants.
   

2. *Three meals a day.
   

3. *Medication monitoring, including ordering medications and medication adherence counseling.
   

4. *On-site mental health counseling with social workers.
   

5. *Transportation to necessary doctor and social service appointments.
   

6. *Connection to the latest healthcare related services.
   

7. *Outpatient substance abuse program and counseling with recovery readiness harm reduction program.
   

8. *Assistance in daily living activities.
   

9. *Other individually catered services offered to residents as needed.
   

Belle Reve is dedicated to the principles of self-respect and dignity for all, and is committed to providing the most independent lifestyle possible to each resident, based on his or her abilities.

Individual privacy, dignity and independence are stressed. Each bedroom is equipped with its own telephone, cable television and dorm-size refrigerator. The group homes also have computer and internet access.

The neighboring Belle Esprit apartments.

Collaborations

Belle Reve has formalized letters of Agreement with many related non-profit agencies. Belle Reve is part of a network of collaborative agencies in the New Orleans area that work together to meet the needs of the low-income HIV/AIDS population. These organizations include:

1. *NOAIDS Task Force - providing case management, counseling, outreach, testing, primary medical care and funding for transitional and emergency housing and utility assistance.
   

2. *Unity for the Homeless - providing funding for a collaborative of 60 different non-profit agencies and housing case management.
   

3. *Great Expectations - providing services for women and families with HIV/AIDS.
   

4. *Odyssey House - providing residential substance abuse treatment for women and their children.
   

5. *Brotherhood, Inc - providing psych0-educational groups and substance abuse counseling, outreach, testing and housing for both males and females.
   

6. *Senior Companion Program - providing senior volunteers to work as companions for residents.
   

7. *AIDSLaw of Louisiana - providing legal advice and services to the HIV/AIDS community.
   

8. *Project Lazarus - providing housing services, personal care assistance and respite care.
   

9. *N’R Peace - providing a comprehensive program of quality healthcare through prevention and a holistic approach to care.
   

10. *Children’s Hospital FACES Program - providing pediatric case management and support groups, along with case management for women, mental healthcare and primary healthcare.
    

11. *EXCELth, Inc - providing primary medical care.
    

12. *Volunteers of America - providing job training and placement, case management and housing assistance.
    

13. *Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (CADA) - providing substance abuse treatment.
    

14. *Women in Community Services - providing life skills training and substance abuse alcohol treatment.
    

15. *Responsibility House - providing in-house substance abuse care.
    

16. *Leading Edge Clinic - providing primary medical care, transportation and case management.
    

17. *In This Together - providing mental health counseling, housing and utility assistance, outreach and education.
    

18. *Home Again - providing housing services, personal care assistance and respite care.
    

These institutions work in collaboration to provide a quality ‘continuum of care’ that allows for a smooth transition and complete services to low-income persons living with HIV/AIDS in New Orleans. These institutions refer clients who are in need of Belle Reve’s services, and Belle Reve in turn refers clients to these organizations for their specific needs.