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thorntonDenise Thornton, President and CEO,
The Beacon of Hope Resource Center

On February 14, 2006, just six months following Katrina, Denise & Doug Thornton opened their partially rebuilt home as a respite for their weary neighbors who were facing decisions without information or government guidance.  Taking proactive measures, Denise formed a grassroots nonprofit organization and called it the Beacon of Hope.

Sharing what she had learned in her own recovery, the Thornton home became the hub of information.  More importantly, their home became the place that returning neighbors could connect with each other, get moral support and hope that they too could rebuild their lives.  She served hot meals 6 days per week, provided internet capabilities, telephone service, quality contractor referrals, hosted seminars addressing issues such as mold remediation and power restoration, collected and discriminated information about the intentions of others return and assisted neighbors in getting vital information they would need to make informed decisions about their return.

The Beacon evolved into a model which could be tailored specifically for each geographic location it would serve and leaders emerged.   More Resource Centers opened thus creating a model that could and is being used citywide.  By the end of its first year, the Beacon had a total of eight resource centers servicing eight neighborhoods.  Today there are 17 resource centers throughout Lakeview, Gentilly and 9th ward.  In July, the Beacon opened two affiliate resource centers in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  Currently, the organization is in the process of opening its newest Beacon in Bridge City, Texas.  Beacon of Hope has given birth to programs that build community and encourage neighborhood growth. 

PERSONAL

Earning an FLMI designation she worked as an office manager at an insurance firm and moved to New Orleans in 1986.  She worked in the Insurance industry as an office manager until 1996.  In 2002, Thornton created Ming Products, a small company that produces decorative fragrance diffusers for home and commercial use.  Thornton operated the company for 4 years before the entire business and manufacturing warehouse was flooded during Hurricane Katrina.  Thornton still operates the business on a smaller scale out of her home in New Orleans. The loss of her business and home played an inspirational role in the creation of the Beacon of Hope Resource Center. 

Thornton completed the Executive Education Program at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University in 2007.

Denise, 50, is married to Doug Thornton, Senior Vice-President of SMG.  They have one son who is married with one daughter and moved to Laguna Beach, CA after losing their home to Hurricane Katrina.  Her hobbies are, reading, piano and pottery.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

  • Founder & President, Beacon of Hope Resource Center, 2006  - Present
  • Executive Committee Secretary, State of Louisiana, LA Serve Commission, 2007-2008 
  • Fleur-de-Lis Ambassador Program, member, 2008
  • New Orleans Crime Coalition, 2008
  • Cops 3, 2008
  • New Orleans Institute, founding member 2008
  • Board Member, Lakewood Property Owners Association, 2001- Present
  • Co-Chair, Instruments A-Coming, Tipitina’s Foundation, 2003 - 2005
  • Volunteer Leader, U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials, 1993
  • Board Member, Lakeview Baptist Church, 1997 - 2001
  • Founder & President LICOMA New Orleans, 1992 - 1997

 

HONORS

  • Named a New Orleans’ 10 Heroes of the Storm by Times-Picayune
  • Named a Top 10 Female Achiever by New Orleans Magazine
  • Named a 2007 Role Model by the Young Leadership Council
  • Recipient of a 2007 Innovative Business of the Year Award, City Business
  • Recipient of a 2007 Women of the Year Award, City Business
  • Received 6 On Your Side Award from NBC’s New Orleans Affiliate WDSU
  • 2008 Woman of Fashion
  • 2008 Alliance For Good Government, Civic Leader of the Year
  • 2008 Hero Of The Storm, Friends of New Orleans
  • 2008 Hornblower Award, Public Relations Society of America, (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter
  • 2008 Board of Directors Award, Associationn of Fund Raising Professionals (AFP) Fleur-de-Lis Ambassador
  • Named one of the 2009 Ten Outstanding Persons by Family Service of Greater New Orleans

 

Despite not having a history as a civic activist, Thornton has been widely recognized for her contributions to the rebuilding of her city.  Thornton has been featured on national news programs such as CNN, Good Morning America and Fox 8 Super Bowl Pre-game Show.  Articles about the Beacon of Hope have been featured in national publications such as the Washington Post, Sports Illustrated, the Wall Street Journal, USA Today and the LA Times just to name a few

Beacon of Hope Resource Center, www.lakewoodbeacon.org
Louisiana Serve Commission, www.volunteerlouisiana.gov
Fleur-de-Lis Ambassador, www.fleurdelis.tulane.edu
Lakewood Property Owners Association, www.lakewoodns.org