Our Structure

OYF directly coordinates with the Youth Study Center (YSC), the New Orleans Recreation Department Commission (NORDC), and New Orleans Public Libraries (NOPL) to improve the depth and quality of city-run services impacting youth and families.

In addition, OYF works interdepartmentally with the Children & Youth Planning Board (CYPB), Health Department (NOHD), the Office of Criminal Justice Coordination (OCJC), the Office of Neighborhood Engagement, and the Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB) to better coordinate youth planning, policy and programming efforts.

OYF’s Strategic Priorities

The following priorities guide OYF’s work on a daily basis:

1. Increase the reach and depth of positive youth development programs, with a focus on out-of-school time enrichment opportunities and improved access to quality early childhood education
2. Transform our city’s juvenile justice system to invest in rehabilitation and reentry as opposed to detention and confinement
3. Infuse behavioral health services such as mental health support and trauma-informed care throughout all systems that touch vulnerable youth and families
4. Establish structures that enable youth voice and input to shape policy and decision-making around key issues such as health, housing, education and recreation

Emily Wolff, MPA

Prior to her current role as the Director of OYF, Emily Wolff served as the Executive Director of the Broadmoor Improvement Association—spearheading the creation of the city’s first ‘education corridor’—which connected the neighborhood’s school, library, community centers, health clinic, and food pantry to provide wraparound services for families.  She is also the founder of the Broadmoor Arts and Wellness Center, which converted a blighted parochial school into an 11,500 square foot neighborhood hub offering affordable arts and wellness services to people throughout the city.  Emily is passionate about social justice and strives to create a bridge between the populations most impacted by policy decisions and the policy-makers themselves. She received her BA from Bard College and a Master’s in Public Affairs from UC Berkeley’s Goldman School.

Camille Alexander, J.D., LCSW

Camille is OYF’s Policy & Program Manager. Before joining the OYF team, Camille worked in schools as a school social worker and school leader. Camille’s experiences in the school system and other sectors have provided her with a unique approach to problem-solving and collaboration.  She specializes in equity and diversity strategies, program development, and compliance.  Her work is grounded in a firm belief in community and social justice.  She received Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Ethnic Studies from The University of Texas and a Juris Doctor and MSW from Tulane University.

Brideisha Harness

Brideisha is the Community Engagement Coordinator. She is a native of New Orleans whose activism spans over a decade. Brideisha’s undying commitment to improving youth outcomes through processes rooted in youth input and feedback is a major asset to the office. She is also a poet and basketball coach who is always seeking new ways to integrate the arts and activism.

Jack Shaevitz

Jack is the OYF Special Assistant. Prior to his current role, Jack worked on Mayor Cantrell’s campaign and transition team as a fellow. Working on the campaign provided Jack with a new perspective of New Orleans youth and families and the challenges they face.  Jack joined the OYF team immediately upon graduating from Tulane with a Bachelor’s in Political Economy. A New York City native, Jack brings a quick-witted, persistent energy to the office and is always looking for ways to improve collaboration across agencies and projects.

Since taking office, Mayor Cantrell has focused on making needed improvements at the Youth Study Center (YSC). The YSC is the city’s pre-trial detention center for young people up to age 17. In mid-October, OYF brought on Dr. Kyshun Webster with the assistance of Dr. Nancy Fournier to improve conditions at the YSC. The two have a combined 40+ years of experience working in detention, rehabilitation and youth development. Since October, the day-to-day conditions at the YSC have changed drastically. Specific improvements have encompassed filling major gaps in staffing, expanding professional development opportunities, strengthening community partnerships and increasing school attendance rates.

This summer, OYF worked in partnership with NORD commission leaders to convene an executive search committee in order to identify new leadership for New Orleans’ recreation department. After several listening sessions with staff, program partners and community members, the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission voted unanimously to hire Larry Barabino. Barabino grew up in NORD parks and playgrounds and is firmly committed to deepening the quality of enrichment programs for youth, teens, adults and senior citizens.

In the city’s 2019 budget, Mayor Cantrell approved an investment of $1.5 million to fund expanded early childhood education for 0-3 year-olds. This doubles last year’s investment and is a testament to the hard work of various councilmembers, non-profit organizations, educators and parents.

We are also excited to announce that the City was recently chosen as one of eight cities awarded support from the National League of Cities to develop a shared action plan for increasing early learning opportunities. OYF will work with the Orleans Parish School Board and the New Orleans Early Education Network on this exciting endeavor. 

Finally, OYF is collaborating with TrainingGrounds to host a “Brain Architecture” workshop for city leaders on March 25th. Councilmembers, judges, police officers, city departmental leaders and other local officials are being invited to attend this three-hour long workshop on early brain development and childhood trauma.