The Office of Youth and Families has dedicated the past month to crafting our 2024 budget. As we plan for the upcoming year, our focus extends beyond financial considerations to encompass a broader vision. The overarching theme for 2024 is data! We are pleased to announce an investment that will enable the establishment of a comprehensive youth data hub, connecting information from key entities such as healthcare, housing, juvenile justice, and workforce development. In collaboration with the New Orleans Children and Youth Planning Board, we draw upon their extensive research on data collection best practices, leveraging models like Baltimore's Promise to shape the possibilities for the New Orleans youth data hub. 

We are also excited to reintroduce the New Orleans Youth Program Directory in partnership with the New Orleans Youth Alliance and STEM Library Lab. This directory will showcase all available options for youth and families in the city, with an expected release in early 2024. Stay tuned for updates! 

While our efforts extend beyond data collection, we view this initiative as a valuable opportunity to truly comprehend the resources available in our city for our residents. This data will inform strategic resource allocations and contribute to a more accurate narrative about the youth in our city. 

The strength of OYF is truly dependent on the faith that has been put into us to be good stewards of this work. Everyday, we are striving to be better, so thank you for all of the feedback and opportunities to grow! 

CALM stands for Clear Answers to Louisiana Mental Health. The organization exists to provide accurate information about psychosis especially, the first episode. Their goal is to decrease the duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) in their communities by increasing awareness about psychosis and getting people into care quickly.  

According to the National Institute of Health, psychosis is often the beginning of severe mental illness such as the schizophrenia-spectrum disorders and occurring in young people. The base of evidence shows that the longer psychosis goes untreated, the more difficult it becomes to treat, and the more disruptive it can be to a person’s life. CALM aims to educate all systems on the importance of early intervention, from community to healthcare settings, so they can work collectively to expedite care for people in need.

Epic Calm NOLA Clinic is located at 4000 Bienville St., Suite G, New Orleans, LA 70119 Phone: 504-988-0301 for more information visit their website: Calm NOLA

Bridge USA brings together the next generation of current and emerging young leaders through unmatched cultural and professional exchange programs.   

The primary goals for the exchange visitor program are to allow foreign nationals opportunity to engage with Americans, share their culture, strengthen their English language abilities, and learn new skills or build skills that will help them in future careers.   

BridgeUSA includes the following exchange programs: Professor, Research Scholar, Short-Term Scholar, Trainee, Intern, College and University Student, Teacher, Secondary School Student, Specialist, Alien Physician, Camp Counselor, Au Pair, and Summer Work Travel.  

For more information, please visit Bridge USA 

Applications are open for the 2024 NOYA Youth Leadership Fellowship! 

NOYA is recruiting young people ages 17-24 who are interested in developing their leadership skills and enacting change in their community to participate in our 10-month leadership fellowship.

The Fellowship pays a stipend of $2,000 and requires a weekly commitment for workshops and other learning activities in preparation for leadership opportunities.

Applications close on January 5th! Scan QR code on flyer to apply!  

NOYA Office, 1705 South White Street

To learn more visit: NOYA

Youth Master Plan Categories: Economic Stability, Learning, Safety & Justice

The Parenting Center at Children's Hospital helps parents and grandparents with the ordinary challenges of raising children. Their staff of Parent Educators come from a variety of backgrounds to help families grow from birth through adolescence. The Center provides classes, a lending library and a playroom. Parent Educators are available by phone and email to talk about your parenting questions and challenges from typical issues like eating and sleep, welcoming a new baby, communicating with your teen, and more!

Please call 504.896.9591 or email chparenting@lcmchealth.org to register for classes!

To learn more visit: The Parenting Center

Youth Master Plan Categories: Health & Well-Being 

Be NOLA has just launched their Black Is Brilliant Institute. The Institute is a unique 6-month paid fellowship that seeks to provide holistic support and development to Black educators. They are calling Black educators working inside and outside of the classrooms with at least 2-5 years of experience in New Orleans to participate. As a fellow, their experience will be hands-on, Black-centered, and community driven. More information and applications are available at this link . Applications close at midnight on December 9, 2023.  

To learn more visit: BE NOLA

Youth Master Plan Categories: Learning, Economic Stability

Ubuntu's Parent Leaders Educate for Action program began this year with monthly meetings, civic engagement initiatives, and organizing workshops.The focus has been reaching out to key stakeholders within the system to influence policy creation that aligns with community voices. They also aimed to provide families navigating the juvenile justice system with educational resources and support to empower them in advocating for fair treatment and rehabilitation for their children. 

They expanded their reach during Thanksgiving by distributing 150 food boxes with gift cards to community members. Among these, 50 boxes were allocated to parents who participated in our Keeping Families Connected dinner at the Juvenile Justice Intervention Center. They also distributed 40 boxes to parents involved in our PLEA program, demonstrating our commitment to community welfare.

To learn more visit: Ubuntu Village NOLA

Youth Master Plan Categories: Safety & Justice 

NBA Pelicans’ shooting guard CJ McCollum met with members of the Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights (LCCR) to learn more about the current landscape of the juvenile legal system, toured the Juvenile Justice Intervention Center (JJIC) facilities and spoke with Senator Royce Duplessis about the power of policy and legislative work in support of our youth. 

You can read more here! 

https://andscape.com/features/new-orleans-pelicans-guard-cj-mccollum-asks-how-to-help-black-youths-in-the-city/

 https://www.si.com/nba/pelicans/news/cj-mccollum-partners-with-louisiana-center-for-childrens-rights

https://www.nba.com/pelicans/news/cj-mccollum-louisiana-center-for-childrens-rights-new-orleans-juvenile-justice-intervention-center-travis-hill-school

To learn more visit: LA Kids Rights

Youth Master Plan Categories: Safety & Justice

District B's Councilwoman Lesli Harris attended Xavier University of Louisiana's Student Government Association event, X Marks the Ballot. Students who participated learned how political campaigns affect historically Black colleges/universities (HBCUs). Representing both public and private schools, HBCUs lean on state and federal funding to secure engagement programming, staff, and property infrastructure. When HBCU students vote, they vote to protect, preserve, and fund the institutions that are an educational and cultural fabric of their communities across the country. 

Holiday In the Park : Opens at dusk until 9:30pm now - January 2, 2024. See you under the lights!  For more information, visit www.nordc.org

NORD Christmas Toy Drive: Christmas time is approaching, and we want to make sure all our kids have a toy for Christmas. Please join in donating a unwrapped new toy to one of our collection sites: ALL REC CENTERS, GREENWAY, TENNIS CENTERS, POOLS, & WE DAT'S. Our annual TOY DRIVE is now through December 8th. Thanks for all your help! If you'd like to become a NORD sponsor for our annual TOY GIVEAWAY, please contact ajia.mitchell@nola.gov.

Summer 2024 Partnership Applications: We are now accepting applications for our SUMMER 2024 CAMP PARTNERS! If you would like your organization/business to be a Camp or Service Provider, scan QR Codes to get started! For more information or related questions, email: NORDPartnerships@nola.gov   

NORD Meditation Class: weekly Mediation classes, Mondays thru Fridays, 10am to 12pm. All ages welcome! Treme  

NORD Golf Training: Now thru December 31st, we will host golf training classes. Mondays thru Wednesday, 4:00pm to 8:00pm and Saturday, 9:00am to 2:00pm at Milne' Recreation Center. For registration information, visit Milne' Recreation Center today!