Hancock Whitney & KABOOM! Team Up for New Orleans Playspace

Hancock Whitney and KABOOM! recently hosted a transformative design day aimed at bringing to life a dream playspace at the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission. The event, held in the vibrant community of Gentilly, a historic neighborhood of New Orleans, just ahead of the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, honors the resilience of the area and the power of local youth in shaping the future of their future spaces.

A Day of Creativity and Collaboration

Local children from the area were given a unique opportunity to participate in the creation of a playspace that would not only serve as a place of fun and recreation but as a symbol of hope and rebirth for the community. The children designed their ideal playspaces, drawing inspiration from their favorite activities, their dreams, and what they felt their neighborhood needed most. From slides and swings to imaginative play spaces that encourage exploration, the kids’ creativity knew no bounds.

These designs, filled with vibrant colors, innovative play equipment, and themes that captured the essence of childhood joy, will inspire the final design for the new playspace structure. The evening was filled with excitement as the children presented their drawings, engaging with KABOOM! staff, who motivated them to think big about a playspace that will be both fun and educational.

KABOOM! is a national nonprofit that partners with communities to create kid-designed playspaces that inspire joy and belonging, especially for children who lack access to safe places to play. Their mission is to eliminate playspace inequity, ensuring all kids have the opportunity to thrive.

Join us for Build Day

The public is invited to build the dream playspace. Build day is Friday, May 9, 2025. If you would like to volunteer, you can sign up at https://events.hancockwhitney.com/Nola-Build.

Honoring History and Resilience

The timing of the event is especially significant, coming just months before the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, a storm that left a lasting mark on the city of New Orleans and particularly Gentilly. The Milne Boys Home opened in 1933, housing orphans and troubled children until it closed in 1986. It was used sporadically over the next 20 years as a center for after-school programs and community meetings, eventually falling into a state of disrepair. After Katrina, it never reopened. In 2014, it was redeveloped as the new headquarters for the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission. 

By involving local children in the playspace planning process, the project also helps honor the resilience of a new generation of youth who have experienced their own set of challenges. For these children, the new playspace will be a space to play, learn, and create memories—something that many of them have not had the opportunity to do in a neighborhood that has been historically underserved in terms of resources and infrastructure.

Financial Education Meets Fun

The event took a unique and empowering approach by not only focusing on creativity but also on teaching children practical financial lessons. As part of the design day, bank associates led a budgeting workshop, helping kids understand the financial side of playspace creation. They were introduced to basic financial concepts, like how to budget for a project, the importance of saving, and how to make decisions based on available resources. The lesson connected the dots between the children’s dreams for their playspace and the real-world constraints that come with designing and building such a space.

The associates made the learning process engaging by using relatable scenarios and fun activities, showing how important it is to think ahead and make smart decisions when planning something big, like the playspace project. By incorporating financial education, Hancock Whitney aimed to equip children with lifelong skills, fostering financial literacy from a young age.

A Lasting Impact

When completed, the playspace will serve not only as a much-needed recreational space but also as a reminder of the incredible efforts made by the community, local organizations, and individuals who have worked tirelessly to rebuild New Orleans. The collaboration between Hancock Whitney, KABOOM!, community partners, and the children themselves highlights the power of coming together to create something meaningful for the future.

“Hancock Whitney is honored to be a part of this. We feel every kid deserves a safe place to play. And not just play, but to dream. Our mission is to help make our communities grow and prosper,” Elizabeth Hefler, Greater New Orleans Regional President.

As the community approaches the milestone of Hurricane Katrina’s 20th anniversary, this playspace represents more than just a place to play—it stands as a testament to the enduring strength of the people of New Orleans, particularly the youth, who continue to shape their city’s legacy with hope and creativity.

In the end, the children of New Orleans will not only have a playspace they helped create but also a valuable lesson in teamwork, financial planning, and community building. With strong partnership and a little muscle, this project helped brighten the future of these young dreamers and will provide a source of fun for the next generation of New Orleans residents.