A neighborhood stewardship program · New Orleans
Adopt-a-Block — how it works
Take a corner, an intersection, a neutral ground, or a catch basin under your wing. Keep it clean, log the work, and get recognized for it — your name on the map today, a placard on the spot as the program grows.
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The idea
Some things you don't want to wait on the city for. Adopt-a-Block lets a resident, a group, a church, or a local business claim a small public spot and commit to keeping it up. It turns "someone should do something" into "I've got this block" — and it changes the whole tone of the neighborhood from complaint to care.
Who can adopt
- Residents (18+), community organizations, churches & schools, and local businesses.
- One area to start — organizations may hold several (e.g. contiguous stretches of a corridor).
- You'll need a free NOLAServeUS account (real identity, same as reporting).
What you can adopt
Pick a spot that's the right size for one person or group to keep up — usually a 1–3 block stretch. Long corridors get split into segments.
Block
Intersection
Neutral ground
Catch basin / drain
Vacant lot
Park / green space
Corner / bus stop
How to adopt
The main way
Claim a spot from the map
Open the Map, find a rust “!” pin — a spot staff flagged as needing an adopter — tap it, and hit “Adopt this area.”
Or
Propose your own
In the Adopt tab, drop a pin on any spot you want to care for, name it, and add a short pledge.
Submit it
Either way, it goes into the staff review queue. Every action asks you to confirm first.
Staff review it
Staff approve it (and send you next-step instructions) or decline with a reason — you're notified either way.
You're on the map
Approved areas show as a gold 🌿 pin with your name, and you get a digital badge right away.
What we ask of you
- Keep the area litter-free — pick up litter, clear the catch basin, tidy the neutral ground.
- At least one cleanup a month, logged in the app with a before/after photo.
- Use only the approved NOLAServeUS placard — no added political or commercial signage.
Safety rules (non-negotiable)
- Gloves + reflective vest; daylight only.
- Stay out of active travel lanes and busy medians.
- No minors near roadways without adult supervision.
- Don't handle hazards — needles, chemicals, heavy debris. Report those in the app instead; the City handles them.
- Never direct traffic or close any area.
What you get
Right awayYour name on the map
A gold pin and a digital badge the whole neighborhood sees — free, the moment you're approved.
In the feedRecognition & kudos
Every cleanup you log posts as a positive update and earns kudos from neighbors.
On the cornerA placard with your name
A “This corner is kept clean by ___” sign, in partnership with the district council office (rolling out).
AlwaysIt never costs you
Volunteer adoption is free. Placards are covered by a sponsor or the program — a volunteer never pays to take part.
For businesses — sponsor a block
A local business can sponsor an area (about $300–600/yr): your name on the placard for a year, a “proud sponsor” shoutout in the neighborhood feed, and a website listing. Sponsorship funds the placard, cleanup supplies, and the program — hyperlocal goodwill that's more genuine than a billboard. Sponsors don't direct the cleanup and are approved by staff and the council office.
Keeping it — or stepping away
- Term: one year, auto-renews while you're active.
- Life happens: you can retire your adoption anytime, and the spot reopens for someone else.
- If a spot goes quiet (no cleanup in 90 days): a friendly warning, then it's reassigned so the area still gets care — no penalty.
The rules, at a glance
✓18+ to be the named adopter
✓Sign a short volunteer waiver before you start
✓Log a cleanup monthly with a photo
✓Safety first — gloves, vest, daylight, no hazards
✓Approved placard only — no other signage
✓Free to volunteer — never pay to participate
A note on the placards: because they sit on city property, the physical signs roll out through a council-sponsored placement agreement. Until each sign lands, your digital badge and map pin are live immediately. Adopters are volunteers — not employees or agents of the City or NOLAServeUS.
Ready to adopt?
Open the app, find a spot on the map, and take it under your wing. Businesses interested in sponsoring can reach us directly.
NOLAServeUS · A community-built civic platform for New Orleans · PennTech LLC ·
Adopt in the app: app.nolaserveus.com/market?adopt · Sponsor: support@penntech.io
The placard concept names the district councilmember as a proposed partner, pending approval; it is not yet an approved city sign.