  Opportunity | Equity | Youth and Family Voice | Access | Action
OYF Launches the City’s First Guaranteed Income Program for Youth
community-based organizations including Collegiate Academies, Youth Empowerment Project, and Louisiana Center for Children's Rights to connect eligible youth to this opportunity. With support from Mayors for a Guaranteed Income, New Orleans is one of many cities across the country piloting initiatives like this one.
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Transforming the Early Childhood Sector to Make a Generational Impact
Exciting things are happening in the early childhood education world! On April 30th, residents will have the opportunity to vote on a proposition that would expand access to high quality early childhood education for thousands of New Orleans families over the next 20 years. This investment will build on the ‘City Seats’ program that has been administered by Agenda for Children through the Office of Youth and Families.
Our office is also thrilled to be a partner in the NOLA Cares initiative, which is a three-year, $5M grant funded by JP Morgan Chase. Through this initiative, our office will work to align policy and practices in order to position caregiving as a valued pathway that leads to wealth creation for Black & Lantinx women.
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Youth Master Plan Implementation is Underway
OYF, in collaboration with the Children & Youth Planning Board and the New Orleans Youth Alliance, are excited to enter the implementation phase of the Youth Master Plan. This ten-year, multisector plan for improving youth outcomes is a roadmap for how our city can collectively break cycles of disinvestment. Workgroups made up of youth, parents and community organizations are busy carrying out several of the recommendations embedded in the plan including affordable transit for youth, a universal maternal/child health initiative, and increasing youth membership on boards and commissions. Get engaged!
Pathways Program Celebrates Graduates
In January we celebrated the latest cohort of Pathways Program graduates. This is a 15-week program for system-involved youth that uses personal development workshops, intensive case management, and paid internships to help young people make a positive impact on our community. To date, the program has served 70 youth. With only an 11% recidivism rate, 84% of participants have voluntarily stayed connected to the program after graduation for ongoing support. To learn more about Pathways, please visit www.nola.gov/pathways
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Strategies to Increase Park Access, Equity & Resilience
OYF, along with the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORDC), Parks and Parkways, Audubon Nature Institute, and City Park, will be leading the first citywide parks and recreation master plan since 2002. Funded by the National Recreation and Parks Association, the master plan will focus on building equitable access to parks and green spaces and improving environmental resilience. We will be releasing a Request for Proposals (RFP) within the coming weeks so stay tuned for more information.
Mayor Cantrell Visits Students at Las Sierras and Behrman Charter School
In February, Mayor Cantrell and OYF visited Las Sierras Academy (LSA) located in G.W. Carver High School. LSA is a one-year, immersive, specialized program for students who are new to the U.S. to develop their English language proficiency alongside content-knowledge to increase their success. We are proud to support Collegiate Academies’ creative efforts to meet students where they are.
Additionally, in March, Mayor Cantrell visited Martin Behrman Charter School in Algiers and met with 7th and 8th graders for their “Motivational Mondays” series. She shared about her personal leadership journey and encouraged Behrman scholars to connect with city resources in order to pursue their interests.
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New Orleans Book Festival Brings Back Family Day
Mayor's Youth Advisory Council (MYAC) Addresses Gun Violence
MYAC’s 2021-2022 cohort includes 25 young people ranging in age from 14-18 who represent 15 schools across the city. This year’s cohort will focus on the impact of gun violence on young people and their communities. In collaboration with the Office of Gun Violence and Prevention and Xavier University’s Dr. Billie Castle, they are crafting a public service announcement to increase awareness about this important issue. Interested in joining the next MYAC? Make sure you sign up to participate in the Junior Civic Leadership Academy – a free 8-week course in the summer that serves as a feeder for the Advisory Council.
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Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI) Alum Meet with Secretary of Education, Miguel Cardona
OYF is proud to host the 8th cohort of the Parent Leadership Training Institute—a 20-week program that helps participants develop the civic skills necessary to become leading advocates for children. In December, two of our PLTI alum, Natori Green and Cheruba Chavez, had the opportunity to meet with Secretary of Education, Miguel Cardona, when he visited New Orleans. They spoke about the need to address racial bias in classrooms and expand services for English language learners.
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Spotlight on PLTI Alum, Cheruba Chavez
The EXCELL Graduation Pathway initiative (Expanded Criteria to Graduation for English Learners in Louisiana) was birthed during Cheruba Chavez’ experience in PLTI. Should the Louisiana BESE board pass EXCELL this year, the policy will allow children who have recently immigrated to have an opportunity to earn a high school diploma and participate in the Louisiana economy.
Cheruba describes her time as a teacher and what she gained from PLTI: “While my students were the reason I came to school each morning, the reality of teaching in a system that failed them was paralyzing. PLTI took the hopelessness out of me, giving me the courage to see that change through persistent civic leadership is possible.” PLTI has offered Cheruba a pathway to create EXCELL and because of this, her vision is on its way to becoming a reality!
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OYF Announces Annual ‘Mayor for a Day’ Writing Contest
In its third year, the Mayor for a Day essay contest aims to encourage leadership and civic engagement in young people. New Orleans youth ages 11 to 18 are invited to write essays about what they would do to impact their city if they were Mayor of New Orleans. Three winners will be selected and will be given the opportunity to shadow the Mayor for a day. The contest opened March 7th. Visit www.nola.gov/m4day for more information.
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Summer Success Deadline is May 5th
Summer Success is a 5-week summer internship program for 125 system-involved and at-risk youth run in partnership with JOB1 NOLA Youth Works. Summer Success seeks to address youth poverty, unemployment and recidivism by matching youth with paid work readiness experiences and case management services. Referrals are made by juvenile justice agencies, school social workers, NOLAPS Office of Student Support Services, and the Juvenile Justice Intervention Center. Youth applications are due May 5th – For questions or to request an application, please email summersuccess@nola.gov
OYF Hosts Social Work Interns to Expand Capacity
Our office is proud to serve as Social Work internship site for students seeking their master’s in social work (MSW). It is a privilege to partner with the Tulane University School of Social Work, Southern University School of Social Work, LSU School of Social Work, and the University of Alabama School of Social Work to provide a meaningful field experience. The impact of OYF’s work is amplified by supporting the next generation of social workers. Meet our intern team here!
Juvenile Justice Programming Handbook
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Earlier this year, OYF published the updated Juvenile Justice Programming Handbook, which contains detailed information on both the City and Court programs offered to system-involved youth. We encourage young people, parents, program staff, and advocates to utilize this resource to support system-involved youth and empower them to participate in the programs included in this handbook. |
Education Research Alliance Promotes Youth Voice through Comprehensive Survey
The Education Research Alliance is actively recruiting schools to sign up to participate in their youth survey. First conducted in the 2018-2019 school year, the survey is a valuable tool for policymakers, school leaders, teachers, and parents to hear directly from our youth about their everyday experiences. Mayor Cantrell issued a call to action to school leaders in order to encourage them to participate.
NOPL Reboots Storytimes at the Library
The New Orleans Public Library (NOPL) hosts weekly outdoor storytimes at three library locations: Algiers Regional Library, Milton H. Latter Memorial Library, and East New Orleans Regional Library. Every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m., children and their caregivers are invited to read, sing, talk, write, and play together in a format designed for infants to 5-year-olds.
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Best Buy Teen Tech Center at Main Library
Located on the second floor of the Main Library, the Best Buy Teen Tech Center is an interest-based learning environment for teens to experiment with and master various new technologies, with help from their peers and adult mentors. Membership is limited to ages 13 to 18. Curious about the Best Buy Teen Tech Center? BBTTC coordinators Maria and Raymie host a virtual open house on Twitch every Month! Tune in every 3rd Wednesday at 4 p.m. to play games like Among Us, Minecraft, or Roblox while exploring the tech available in the BBTTC.
NORDC Programming
NORDC has a number of exciting program opportunities this summer for youth and families. Check them out below and visit https://nordc.org/home/ for more information.
JOB1 Presents Youth Expo on April 12th
City's Juvenile Justice Handbook a roadmap for getting youth on track
Lets Listen to New Orleans Youth
Book Festival at Tulane, opening Thursday, includes sessions on jazz, Southern humor, climate change, football, race and more
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