NEW ORLEANS – Mayor Mitch Landrieu and city officials unveiled a robust package of recreation and job opportunities that are available to New Orleans youth this summer. Opportunities are available in all five City Council districts through the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORDC) and NOLA Youth Works, the Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program. In total, the city is committing over $1 million to summer programming this year.
“Since 2010, we have remained committed to creating the best opportunities for the youth of New Orleans,” Mayor Landrieu said. “The summer programs offered by NORDC will help ensure that our young people have a safe place to learn and play. I encourage parents to attend the expo and take advantage of the opportunities for our youth to learn and grow in a structured setting throughout the summer months.”
NORDC Summer Youth Camps
This year, NORDC will offer 41 youth camps (ages 4-12) that will serve over 3,900 kids across the city through partnerships with schools, non-profits and faith-based organizations. The programming offers a wide array of academic, cultural and recreational activities, including free field trips to the Audubon Zoo, the Aquarium of the Americas and NORDC pools for water safety lessons. Parents can visit NORDC’s website for a full list of opportunities and instructions on how to register their children.
This summer, the city and its partners will coordinate free summer meals for all NORDC summer camps by linking them to Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) sponsors. Last summer, the city served more than 750,000 meals throughout the summer to kids across the city thanks to City partners including Second Harvest Food Bank, Volunteers of America, Healthy School Food Collaborative, Orleans Parish School Board, Sodexo, Revolution Foods and Chartwells.
“Each summer NORDC commits to providing quality summer enrichment programs throughout the city,” Vic Richard, chief executive officer of NORDC, said. “It is important that we continue to offer year-round opportunities for our youth to continue to grow.”
NORDC summer youth camps include:
• The Loft at NORDC Behrman Rec. Center
• Community Works at ISL School – Algiers
• The Loft at NORDC Cut-Off Rec. Center
• Young Audiences at Eisenhower School
• Tambourine & Fan at NORDC Treme Rec. Center
• NOPJF/Cops for Kids at NORDC St. Bernard Rec. Center
• Community Works at Andrew Wilson Charter School
• Dillard University FIT
• Wilcox Academy
• Kedila at NORDC Stallings Rec. Center
• Passion Dance at NORDC St. Bernard Rec. Center
• Young Audiences at Sojourner Truth Center
• 1st Line Arthur Ashe School
• Caffin Avenue Seventh Day Adventist Church
• Trinity Christian
• LSU Ag Center
• Boys & Girls Club
• A Village Concept at NORDC Pete Sanchez Multi-Purpose Center
• Southern University at New Orleans
• Anthony Bean Theater
• A’s & Aces at Dillard University
• City of Love Church
• Building a Better 2morrow at NORDC Joe W. Brown Rec. Center
• Franklin Avenue Baptist Church
• HYPE Academy at NORDC Joe W. Brown Rec. Center
• VIET
• Community Works at Einstein Charter School
• A’s & Aces at NORDC Joe W. Brown Tennis Center
• St. Roch Community Church
• Abundance of Desire
• Kingsley House
• NOBA at NORDC Lyons Rec. Center
• Dryades YMCA
• Pleasant Zion Baptist Church
• Discovery Fest at NORDC Lyons Rec. Center
• New Hope Summer Enrichment
• YAYA Arts Center
• Royal Castle
• Discovery Fest at Kipp Primary School
• A’s & Aces at NORDC Atkinson-Stern Tennis Center
• Youth Empowerment Project
NOLA Youth Works Opportunities
The Mayor’s 2017 NOLA Youth Works Summer Employment Program will serve over 800 young people ages 13-21 with six program offerings. NOLA Youth Works partners with private companies and non-profit organizations to provide quality summer experiences at safe, structured and properly supervised environments, city reps said. Youth summer employment opportunities will improve the overall education of the individual participants and help to build the capacity of our local knowledge-based workforce, they said.
“Summer youth employment is critical to ensuring the further development of a skilled workforce as we continue to create jobs and opportunities for all New Orleanians,” said Senior Advisor to the Mayor for Economic Opportunity Ashleigh Gardere. “We are creating real pathways to prosperity for our youth by investing in real-world work experiences. I am grateful for the commitment of our business partners to hire New Orleans youth.”
As in past years, local businesses are encouraged to help the city meet its goal of providing paid job experiences for all eligible and interested youth. The city depends on full participation from both the public and private sectors in order to solve the skilled workforce shortage and provide a pathway to prosperity for local young men and women, reps said.
Again this year, Mayor Landrieu is calling on local businesses and organizations to sign up to be part of the 2017 NOLA Youth Works Summer Employment Program. Prospective employers can learn more about the program here.
Employers can also request information by emailing nolayouth@nola.gov or by calling the city's Office of Workforce Development at (504) 658-4531.
For 2017, NOLA Youth Works includes the following programs:
Work and Learn Program, June 12-July 14
With programming from various community partners, Work and Learn provides participants with grade level-specific instruction, as well as career exploration, job readiness and project-based learning activities. Participants receive a $100 weekly stipend for 20 hours.
Signature Program, June 12-July 14
A compilation of unique summer experiences, the Signature Program will provide participants opportunities in industries such as film and architecture. They will be immersed in learning through projects, community service, presentations and field trips. Participants will earn a $100 weekly stipend for 20 hours.
Traditional Program, June 12-July 14
Youth will be engaged in a youth-friendly environment and receive hands-on experience that is reflective of the job placement. Participants will receive $8 an hour for 20 hours weekly.
Junior Camp Counselor, June 5-July 7
These youth will serve as camp counselors at various campsites throughout the metro area. Participants will receive $8 an hour for 30 hours weekly.
Intern Nola Program, June 5-July 7
Participants in this program, who will be selected based on their resumes and interviews, will intern in a local business, non-profit organization or public office. Internship positions will focus on research and short-term projects that provide impact to the host organization. Participants earn $10 an hour for 25-30 hours weekly.
NORDC Teen Camp, June 5-July 14
These youth will participate in career exploration seminars and learn about a number of different job interests. Participants earn $15 dollars a day.
Applications for NOLA Youth Works are accepted by appointment only. Youth and parents may visit the NOLA Youth Works website for full program information and schedule an appointment between March 6 – April 13. Space is limited, so the city strongly encourages participants to apply early. Schedule an appointment here.
District A Councilmember Susan Guidry said, “Research has shown that teens who have access to meaningful workforce development and employment programs are more likely to succeed in their career goals. At-risk teens who get summer jobs or participate in recreational programs also reduce their chances of dropping out of school and are less likely to have idle time. We urge parents and teachers to encourage teens to take full advantage of these recreational and employment opportunities.”
District B Councilmember LaToya Cantrell said, “It is so important that we connect our young people to opportunities that will keep them occupied and engaged. Any efforts to increase and improve such opportunities for the youth of New Orleans is welcome.”
District C Councilmember Nadine Ramsey said, “Keeping our young people productively engaged during the summer months has always presented a challenge. NORDC and NOLA Youth Works’ summer programing will provide opportunities for recreation and employment. By combining fun with work, it will ensure that participants have a worthwhile experience this summer. It will also build a sense of community and self-esteem in our youth. I am very pleased that NORDC and NOLA Youth Works have put together a program geared toward reaching all of the city’s youth.”
District D Councilmember Jared Brossett said, “With the arrival of summer, community members are looking for ways to engage youth in a supportive, social environment. NORDC, NOLA Youth Works, and the Summer Youth Employment Program are effective options to ensure that our youth gain valuable workforce experience and have a productive way to spend their time. These programs will provide workforce development, social growth, and recreation opportunities. The skills our youth develop through the package of programs can help them leverage their summer experiences into better academic performance and job readiness.”
District E Councilmember James A. Gray II said, “If we want to keep safe children of all ages in this city, we need to offer them a way out, and a way up. And that is just what we’re doing with a comprehensive program of summer youth recreation and job opportunities. Supervised recreation and work skills will place and keep our young people on the road to success in life.”
