Environmentally and culturally, New Orleans’ Calliope Projects stood a long way from a 12-acre farm in New York State. Yet Aaron Neville, 76, who, from the age of one until he was 13, lived with his family in the projects and now resides in Pawling, New York, speaks glowingly of the diverse locales. Each, in their time, became havens in providing just what was needed for happiness.

“The Calliope was like an oasis to us,...