Meeting the Needs of Our Community
These are challenging times, especially for our young people. Alongside the state, local district, charters, and community organizations that are working to meet the immediate needs of young people and their families, YouthForce NOLA and our collaborative are rapidly adjusting programming to serve our students now and once this pandemic abates.
With so much uncertainty, one thing is clear: our work together toward a future in which all New Orleans public school graduates thrive economically is more important than ever.
That’s why we’re focused on maintaining connectivity (and filling gaps) within our collaborative of students, educators, employers, training providers, government, and civic organizations. We’re adjusting our offerings to meet the evolving needs of our collaborative, all while maintaining a laser focus on our vision and mission. More to come in future updates.
It will make you smile to learn that our young people are taking a leadership role in this. Recently, a graduate of our training provider partner, Operation Spark, provided pro tips on how to use Zoom video conferencing to the YouthForce team – an essential skill as we work from home, and which he picked up via his job as a teaching assistant with Op Spark.
Our adults are stepping up too, and we’d like to give a special shout out to Peter Seltzer, the founder of Gateway EMS, one of our training provider partners. He retooled his workshop to produce protective face shields for a hospital system in New Orleans, and he’s back in the field deploying his skills as a paramedic. His story was recently featured on Fox 8 TV.
We know the toll that this pandemic is taking on many of our partners, their resources, and their capacities. We are here to support our collaborative as a convener and advocate and have already begun planning how we’ll navigate the future landscape together.
Yours in service (remotely),
Cate
Resources
There are numerous online resources for students, families, and educators being compiled by a variety of organizations. YouthForce NOLA is most frequently turning to, and pointing others to, three of our collaborative partners as the primary trusted sources for information: the City of New Orleans, NOLA Public Schools, and GNO, Inc.
City of New Orleans Covid-19 Webpage - resources available to residents, from food and housing to legal and financial support
NOLA Public Schools Covid Webpage - information and resources for schools as well as students and their families
GNO, Inc. Covid-19 Webpage - resources and updates for businesses and workers
YouthForce Covid-19 Webpage - information on our programs and links to trusted resources
Assistance for Students and Families
Meals - NOLA Public Schools is working with partners on a Citywide Feeding Program.
Internet - NOLA Public Schools has secured WiFi hotspots and is finalizing a plan for distribution in coordination with schools based upon need. Cox, ATT, and other providers are also offering free and reduced-cost internet options.
Job Openings - GNO, Inc. has compiled a running list on WorkNOLA.com of companies looking to fill immediate labor needs.
Youth Camps & Youth Employment - New Orleans Recreation Development (NORD) Commission and the (JOB1) NOLA Youth Works Program partner to deliver the Mayor's Summer Youth Employment Program and together, they have shifted to an online process to preregister for its youth camps and employment programs.
How to talk with children about Coronavirus - Messages for parents, school staff, and others working with children.
Mental Health Support - SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline is a toll-free, multilingual, confidential crisis support service that connects any U.S. resident in need to a trained crisis counselor; call 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746.
Tools for Schools and Educators
New Schools for New Orleans is supporting schools, sharing resources, and providing updates- at least once per week
LAPCS is providing charter schools with guidance and sample resources to support planning and communications
NGLC created an annotated list of links to high-quality tools and materials for educators
ConnectED is offering a series of free online workshops aimed at supporting educators
News from Collaborators
Greater New Orleans, Inc. is monitoring and acting on the regional impact of the coronavirus:
Launched GNOpivot to help regional companies pivot their standard operations into making products or providing services in demand for the fight against Coronavirus
Compiling a running list of job opportunities
Advocating for policy and tracking relief legislation
Continually updating their Coronavirus web page, which includes business resources, health updates, and relevant news
New Orleans Business Alliance is working with public and private partners to ensure that New Orleans residents and businesses have access to all available resources to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and has created a relief fund for gig economy workers
Louisiana Department of Education opened the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) to support essential critical infrastructure personnel
Urban League of Louisiana has created a web page and a Pivot Plan for its programs that serve the community
Junior Achievement is providing free online Family Lesson Plans to teachers and parents so kids can spend more time planning for and dreaming about tomorrow, and less time worrying about today
United Way of Southeast Louisiana created the Hospitality Cares Pandemic Fund
Greater New Orleans Foundation has activated its Disaster Response and Restoration Fund
LCMC Health and Ochsner Health System are on the front line of the fight against this pandemic, saving lives
MHA Labs is publishing short videos on Instagram connecting remote learning to career exploration
Good Wood, an employer partner, has become a hub for local craftspeople now making medical personal protective equipment
New Orleans Career Center, New Orleans Technical Education Provider, NOVAC, and Operation Spark are moving to remote learning models
unCommon Construction is working remotely and pausing their apprenticeship program through the end of the spring school semester
This is but a snapshot of the efforts underway across the YouthForce NOLA network and by no means exhaustive. If you know of news or resources you would like us to share, please let us know.