New Orleans Opens Summer Youth Jobs, With More Than $3.6 Million on the Table

Registration is open for the Mayor's Summer Youth Employment Program, putting more than $3.6 million in committed funding behind youth camps and paid work for young people in New Orleans. The NORD Commission, the Mayor's Office of Workforce Development and the Mayor's Office of Youth and Families announced the opening together.

Mayor LaToya Cantrell marked the start of the season at an event celebrating Splash Day, which signals the opening of NORD pools and other summer recreation activities. She appeared alongside NORD Commission CEO Larry Barabino Jr., NORD Commission Chairman Theo C. Sanders III, Office of Workforce Development Director Sunae Villavaso, Mayor's Office of Youth and Families Director Asya Howlette and District C Councilmember Freddie King III, who sits on the NORD Commission.

The programming reaches all five City Council Districts through NORD and JOB1 NOLA Youth Works. The city has committed more than $2 million to youth summer programming this year. Cantrell's office said more than $3.6 million in funding has been committed for youth summer programming, which includes youth camps and employment opportunities.

The Office of Workforce Development has also teamed with the Tuskegee Airmen Flight School on scholarships for 20 high school seniors from Orleans Parish. The New Orleans Flight School, an aviation training program sponsored by the Tuskegee Airmen, is geared toward building career opportunities for underrepresented youth in the parish.

The same office released a Notice of Funding Availability for organizations to build programs that develop a workforce for the next generation. Work in this area has included the JOB1 Grand Opening and Career Fair, held at JOB1's office at 1307 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., with Cantrell joined by Villavaso, New Orleans Workforce Development Board Chair Gregory Curtis, District B Councilmember Lesli Harris, Dryades YMCA Board Chair Pastor Tom Watson and Equus Workforce Solutions Vice President Deborah Giordano. The event was designed to provide on-site services and connect job seekers with high wage, high demand jobs.

The Office of Workforce Development also listed job openings for the Mardi Gras holiday period running from Friday, Feb. 12 through Tuesday, Feb. 16, and the New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Fund has partnered with the office to provide grant assistance at the JOB1 Career Center.