 Opportunity | Equity | Youth and Family Voice | Access | Action
What have we been up to?
 The Youth Programs Directory is now ACTIVE!
As the holidays approach, it’s a perfect time to reflect on the impact we can make together in our community. At the Office of Youth and Families, we are committed to creating opportunities that help our young people thrive.
One of these opportunities is the re-launch of the Youth Programs Directory! This wonderful tool is made possible through the partnership between the New Orleans Youth Alliance (NOYA), the New Orleans Children and Youth Planning Board (CYPB), the Mayor’s Office of Youth and Families (OYF), and STEM Library Lab. This centralized hub showcases programs that make a difference every day on youth and families' lives.
We are so proud to highlight that there are over 100 providers listed throughout the city. However, it takes a village, and we need your collaboration. If you are a program provider or know one that is missing, see below to learn how to sign up!
Signing up is simple, and being part of the directory means:
• Greater visibility for programs.
• Opportunities to collaborate with other local organizations.
• A direct way to inspire and support New Orleans youth.
This is more than a directory—it’s a movement to empower the next generation!
Together, we can create brighter futures for our city’s youth.
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SEARCH OPPORTUNITIES OR SIGN UP AS A PROVIDER
Questions about the Youth Programs Directory can be sent to
Peyton Juneau at peyton@stemlibrarylab.org
To learn more about this initiative, visit www.nola.gov/ypd
In this newsletter installment, we are excited to feature these four organizations below that you can find in the Youth Programs Directory that are also aligned with the Youth Master Plan.
Take a Video Editing Class with NOVAC !
New Orleans Video Access Center, is the Gulf South's longest operating media arts nonprofit. NOVAC believes that storytelling empowers communities, so they empower storytellers. NOVAC aims to provide access to education, training, opportunities, and sustainable careers through their Workforce Development program. Please see below information about their after-school video editing classes.
Youth Master Plan Alignment: Youth Voice, Learning, Economic Stability
Partner with YEAH! YOGA
YEAH! YOGA is a New Orleans-based organization dedicated to bringing the tools of yoga and mindfulness to system-impacted youth, particularly those affected by the carceral system. Since 2016, they have served over 4,700 youth through trauma-informed, healing-focused yoga programming designed to foster resilience and emotional balance. YEAH! YOGA envisions a future where trauma, poverty, and systemic injustice are no longer barriers to a young person’s potential. YEAH! YOGA believes in empowering youth to connect with their personal values, build resilience, and lead their communities with strength and confidence.
YEAH! YOGA is aiming to expand their programming to include more youth across the Greater New Orleans area, with a focus on creating additional career and leadership opportunities. To learn more or explore partnership opportunities, contact Nicole Rochat, Director of Strategic Partnerships, at Nicole@yeahyoga.org
Youth Master Plan Alignment: Health & Wellbeing, Learning, Safety& Justice
GLAM-U Spring Cohort Enrolling Now!
The mission at Glam U is to empower and uplift girls, igniting their inner radiance and guiding them towards fulfilling their unique purpose. Through their transformative programs, they foster personal growth, cultivate self-esteem, and instill confidence, all while providing a platform for girls to embrace their individuality. Check out the flyer below for more information or visit www.glamu101.org.
Youth Master Plan Alignment: Learning
Sign Up for the Cool Cooperative Spring Cohort!
The COOL Cooperative is dedicated to creating outstanding opportunities locally for middle and high school students in the film industry. Founded in 2014, they educate, develop and celebrate the next generation of Louisiana Storytellers by providing technical training and mentorship that translate into critical skills needed for the workforce.
The COOL Cooperative provides a safe space that offers food, fun, and practical support like tutoring and individualized SAT lessons. More specifically, students develop the confidence, skills, and connections necessary to secure well-paying jobs in the film industry.
Youth Master Plan Alignment: Learning, Economic Stability
Are you a youth serving organization aligned with the Youth Master Plan? Share your story and let CYPB know by filling out this form
NORD and Library Happenings!
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Meet the Region's First Library Vending Machine!
The New Orleans Public Library is proud to introduce the first library vending machine in the region. Housed in NORD’s Desire / Florida Multi-Service Center, the vending machine allows Library card holders to check out materials from a collection of over 200 books and DVDs for free.
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 Explore the lagoon at Joe W. Brown Park with NORD Outdoors starting March 9 through November! Canoeing and open fishing is every Saturday from 10am-2pm at Joe W. Brown Park. No experience required. All ages welcome!
ARCHERY
Swing by our archery range every Thursday from 4-7 PM to unwind, learn a new skill - or both. It's free! A certified archery instructor will always be on hand, providing thorough safety instructions and plenty of tips about technique and form. Reservations required.
TEEN COUNCIL
Our Teen Council Program is for teens only, designed to build civic awareness, encourage volunteerism, and promote social engagement. FREE | Open to teens ages 13-17. Click on the link for more info and schedule of events.
Community Resources and Upcoming Events
Education Research Alliance Releases New Study
A new study provides insights into how New Orleans high schools improved college outcomes for students after the post-Katrina reforms were implemented over the past two decades. The study, conducted by the Education Research Alliance for New Orleans examines how high schools create a supportive environment for students navigating the college application process. Authored by Danica Brown, a researcher and educational consultant affiliated with the organization, the analysis uses data from interviews, observations, websites, and social media, focusing on four Louisiana high schools during the 2019-2020 school year. The high schools examined include two charter high schools from New Orleans Public Schools and two traditional public schools from a comparison district.
To learn more about the study, please visit https://educationresearchalliancenola.org/
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ROOTED ECHOES ANNOUNCES COOL EXHIBIT
YAYA Alumni exhibit Rooted Echoes will open at YAYA Arts Center on Saturday January 4 with a reception from 4-8 PM. The exhibit, a program of Ana & Adeline Foundation curated by Kara Crowley and Paul Michael Wright, will be on view at YAYA, a Prospect.6 Local Lagniappe Site, January 4th - February 2nd. View the work of nine incredibly talented artists - Jourdan Barnes, Gerard Caliste, Kara Crowley, Sharika Mahdi, Rontherin Ratliff, Nik Richard, Monica Tyran, Derroles Taylor, and Paul Michael Wright - Tuesday through Friday, 11AM-6PM or by appointment. Contact@anadeline.org
Rooted Echoes invites viewers to explore the intricate tapestry of personal and cultural histories that shape our identities. This exhibition features a diverse array of YAYA alumni artists and mediums that reflect on their roots, weaving together narratives that resonate through time and space. Each piece serves as a dialogue between the past and present, echoing the stories, traditions, and memories that inform our understanding of self and community. Through this exploration, Rooted Echoes seeks to illuminate how New Orleans heritage influences our visions for the future, creating a shared space for reflection and connection. Join us in celebrating the power of art to transcend boundaries and foster a deeper appreciation of our interconnected histories and paths.
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You're Invited to A Starz Christmas
Join Young Starz NOLA for a magical evening celebrating the spirit of the season with “A Starz Christmas”!
Date: Sunday, December 22, 2024
Location: Felicity Church, 1220 Felicity St., New Orleans, LA
Time: Doors open at 6:00 PM | Show starts at 6:30 PM
Experience the incredible talents of Young Starz NOLA as they light up the stage with songs, dance, and performances that capture the joy and meaning of Christmas.
Special Toy Giveaway after the concert, spread the holiday cheer with our annual toy giveaway for kids in attendance. Bring your family, friends, and holiday spirit! This is a night you won’t want to miss.
Admission: $15 for adults, kids are free. Celebrate the season with us as we shine bright like the Starz we are!
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Longue Vue House and Gardens Celebrates Women in Football!
Longue Vue House and Gardens is “kicking off” the new year with a celebration of Women in Football! During the lead-up to Super Bowl LIV, the historic house museum and garden will be hosting a series of events and an exhibit highlighting the contribution of Women in Football. The movement will begin with a Pep Rally at 3:00 PM on Saturday, January 4, where community partners and interested parties are invited to learn more about the movement and how they can help shatter the glass ceiling for women in sports. Following the Pep Rally, Longue Vue will host a Film Screening of Olivia Kuan’s award-winning documentary, The Herricanes, showcasing the history of the Women’s National Football League (1974-1988) from 4:00 to 5:30PM. Tickets are available for purchase: here!
Up2Us Sports
Up2Us Sports is a national service organization working at the grassroots level. They use sports and coaching to address some of the most pressing issues facing youth across the country today: mental wellness, gender equity, social justice and economic mobility in historically marginalized and underserved communities.
This fall, the Up2Us coaches participated in the NFL flag football tournament at the Caesars Superdome. It was an awesome connection for the coaches to assist teaching young people between the ages of 5 and 14 the fundamentals of flag football and the importance of healthy play. Their next day of service is for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Monday, January 20, 2025.
To learn more about how their programs can help support your youth organization, please visit https://www.up2us.org/
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Job Postings
City of New Orleans Youth-Focused Opportunities
To learn more about jobs in the City of New Orleans that serve youth, follow this link
New Orleans Recreation Development Commission
To learn more about NORDC job opportunities, follow this link.
New Orleans Public Libraries
Visit NOPL's website to learn more about employment opportunities.
New Orleans Public Schools
NOLA Public Schools is offering several employment opportunities. Visit NOLA-PS to learn more information.
Community Works
Community Works is hiring for Spring 2025! Visit https://communityworksla.org/join-our-team/ to check out the opportunities.
In The News
City of New Orleans Launches Comprehensive Youth Program Directory
Guaranteed Income
We want to hear from you!
In an effort to building a stronger community, we want to hear about opportunities you may have for citizens in our community! Do you have an open position, internship or learning opportunity within your organization? If so, please email our Office Coordinator-Brittney Waiters brittney.waiters@nola.gov
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