Age: 9 Primary Program: Afterschool Program  Secondary Program: Summer Camp “I came to YEP so staff could help me with my homework,” says Aleeyhia who has been attending YEP’s Afterschool Program for the past three years with her older brother and sister. “I like arts and crafts, especially making slime!” However, Aleeyhia’s favorite thing about YEP is the Summer Camp that provides youth between the ages of 7-15 with a fun, free and engaging summer experience. The 4th grader says her grandmother also really likes YEP’s Afterschool Program and Summer Camp because she wants her grandkids to be challenged

Age: 20 Primary Program: Trafigura Work and Learn Center - Bike Works & Design Works A year ago when Roman Smith first came to YEP, he was quiet and reserved. Fast forward to today and the young man is willing to share his personal journey with you, which in itself is a major milestone. “There aren’t that many jobs that are hiring, there are always people getting laid off. It’s kind of sad,” said Roman, “Men my age, if they don’t have a job and feel like they have nothing to resort to they can sometimes make bad choices,”

Age: 18 Primary Program: The Village Secondary Programs: Trafigura Work and Learn Center & NOPLAY Summer Scholars 2017 A conversation Arione had with a stranger about YEP while riding the bus one day is what changed her life. He listened as she talked about being tired of attending a traditional high school in New Orleans and then suggested Arione check out one of YEP’s adult learning centers where she could earn her high school equivalency diploma. “I never had a big dream about me graduating. That was something I felt wasn’t in my future. But coming to YEP, everybody

YEP Educates Alumni Age(s) 20 & 18 Primary Program: Community-Based Mentoring Next year, Christian Pollard is looking forward to graduating from high school. If you ask him about future goals a long list of ideas spill excitedly out of his mouth. “Business is my future major, a minor in photography, a side business in cosmetology, maybe something in clothing. I have many different interests. I plan on working hard and making my money. You have to build an empire,” he laughs. Before YEP, Christian and his brother Clarence were struggling with anger management after losing a family member to

YEP Staff Member & Alumni Primary Program: NOPLAY Wanda Rogers is a 2012 graduate of NOPLAY. When Wanda started at NOPLAY, she was amazed at how open and welcoming the instructors and site was. After enrolling, she worked diligently toward earning her GED while also working a full-time job. After graduating and earning her GED, Wanda was promoted, earned a raise, and was invited to take the Civil Service exam. In 2013, YEP hired Wanda as a Para-Instructor at the NOPLAY-Westbank site. She is now considered an Instructor because of her hard work. She is dedicated to helping others

YEP Graduate Primary Program: Youth Futures Initiative (YFI) Secondary Programs: Trafigura Work and Learn Center, NOPLAY Jaleel Holmes was 16 when he started at YEP after a referral from his juvenile probation officer. He says motivation was never the problem but lack of the support and guidance was until he discovered YEP. YEP helped Jaleel replace his social security card, birth certificate and other critical documents needed to establish himself, all were damaged after Hurricane Katrina. He says because of YEP: “I was able to overcome obstacles, look to better myself and my future, and to look forward to

YEP Staff Member & Alumni Primary Program: NOPLAY Darren Alridge has been an incredible asset to the YEP community since he joined our team in 2009. He joined us at age 18 to work toward earning his GED, upon referral from his judge. Then, in 2011, he joined YEP staff as a para-professional who helps New Orleans youth prepare for the HiSET (formerly GED) exam, as he has “seen the need of some of the youth I work with,” and has chosen to work with YEP because it “makes me happy to give back to my community.” Darren believes

Primary Program: Community-Based Prevention (CBP) – St. Charles Parish Mentoring young people is an integral part of the work YEP does. Leslie is one of our current Community-Based Prevention (CBP) participants. He was referred to YEP by the Families in Need of Services (FINS) program in St. Charles Parish. YEP’s CBP Program Coordinator, Sandra Washington and Youth Advocate, John Emery provide intensive supportive services to youth ages 8-14. “Leslie likes the things we’ve exposed him to. He likes Camp Mariposa. He has come a long way. YEP allowed him to see his potential.” –YEP Youth Advocate John Emery The

Primary Program: Camp Mariposa Secondary Program: Summer Camp “When I go home, I am happy” -Rynae Siblings, Ryan and Rynae joined YEP in September 2015 at the urging of a social worker at a community partner organization. Since becoming involved in YEP’s Summer Camp and Camp Mariposa programs, staff have noticed how they both have matured. Ryan enjoys spending time doing outdoor camp activities like hiking, canoeing and playing sports with his peers. Ryan says that he most enjoys: “When they teach me great things to do. I also like it when they let us play basketball.” According to

Primary Program: Trafigura Work and Learn Center “I would be sitting at home right now,” is how Landrea feels she would be spending her time if YEP was not a part of her life. The 19-year-old graduated from YEP’s Trafigura Work and Learn Center job training program in November of 2015 and is now a part-time employee at the bike shop. After completing the six-week employment readiness course, Landrea is now well-versed in customer service and bike repair, and says her confidence skills have blossomed thanks to the program. However, it was not an easy transition for Landrea, who

Primary Program: The Village Secondary Programs: Post-Secondary Transition Services “I feel like the staff at YEP truly do care about the people they’re helping” said Seth who dropped out of a traditional New Orleans high school because the large classroom environment was not working for him. He found a better fit at the Youth Empowerment Project’s Village program which helped him earn his HiSET (formerly GED) in December 2015. “When I was in high school, I felt like I was learning things I wouldn’t really need to use in the real world,” said Seth, now a freshman at the

Primary Program: Community-Based Mentoring Secondary Programs: Trafigura Work and Learn Center’s Creative Digital Media Program, Age: 16 Teen SET Program, Afterschool Program When you find a place that makes you feel at home and part of a supportive family, you stick around. Eight years ago, Gerald came to YEP as a middle school student and now he is a high school senior. Gerald says he found out about YEP from a brochure during a time when he was struggling with managing his anger. Fast forward to today and the 16-year-old says his life has changed for the better. Gerald