New Orleans strengthens its commitment to youth development with the launch of a comprehensive online directory, a move that seeks to centralize information on programs and services beneficial for its younger residents. Reported by the City of New Orleans, the New Orleans Youth Programs Directory has been created in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Youth and Families, the New Orleans Youth Alliance, the New Orleans Children and Youth Planning Board, and STEM Library Lab to connect young people with arts, mentorship, sports, and academic opportunities available in the city.
In an effort to help local youth reach their fullest potential, the directory aligns with the New Orleans Youth Master Plan which focuses on equitable access to resources; the directory is regularly updated to reflect changes or new programs and services that are offered to the youth. Asya Howlette, Director, Office of Youth and Families, told the City of New Orleans about the importance of being "intentional about the opportunity of future investments," acknowledging the city's role in meeting "young people where they are."
To ensure the directory's efficacy and relevance, organizations are invited to create profiles that are then subject to administrative approval; this controlled procedure aims to maintain a high standard of listings that truly benefit the youth of New Orleans. According to the City of New Orleans press release, organizations that were previously listed in the original directory are required to claim their profiles to continue posting opportunities for local youth.
Deja Jones, Youth Specialist at Children and Youth Planning Board, expressed excitement for the enhanced collaboration that the Youth Programs Directory is expected to foster among various programs that support the city's young; this sentiment was echoed by Dr. James Dabney, Executive Director of New Orleans Youth Alliance, who sees the directory as "yet another example" of the Youth Master Plan's impact on the community and a tool to significantly improve the quality of life for New Orleans youth by putting a myriad of resources at their fingertips, according to statements obtained by the City of New Orleans.