NEW ORLEANS (8/10/2022) — Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) and Educators for Quality Alternatives (EQA) are partnering to open the New Orleans East Opportunity Center at 12000 Hayne Blvd (formerly Frances Gaudet Elementary School). This center will provide in and out-of-school programming, where young people and families can access quality education, wellness services, employment readiness training, and enrichment programs.

“It has been a long-time goal of YEP’s to provide services to residents of New Orleans East,” says Jerome Jupiter, YEP’s Chief Operating Officer, who is leading YEP’s site expansion. “As an organization, our goal is to remove barriers to success and ensure our programs are as accessible to young people as possible. Many of our current participants reside in New Orleans East and lack access to reliable transportation. We believe it is our responsibility to bring YEP’s services to where young people and families are.”

“We are excited to be partnering with YEP to bring quality educational opportunities,

afterschool programs, and critical services closer to where many of our students live,” says Elizabeth Ostberg, Chief Executive Officer of EQA. “Each year, more of our students are coming from neighborhoods in New Orleans East. By relocating one of our high schools (The NET), our middle school (The Bridge), and working alongside YEP to create a center with a range of programming, we can better serve our students and their families.”

Dr. Takeisha Davis (President and CEO of New Orleans East Hospital) and Councilmember Oliver Thomas (District E) are also showing their support.

Councilmember Thomas says, “District E is thrilled to welcome YEP and EQA to the

neighborhood. As I’ve said before, we must offer services in neighborhoods where people

currently live, rather than asking them to travel to access resources. I’m grateful that YEP and EQA are creating a permanent space for education and opportunity in New Orleans East.”

Dr. Takeisha Davis says, “I am delighted to know that YEP and EQA will be providing

comprehensive services to our residents, as the programs offered are essential to the quality of life of so many individuals. These community-based programs are a necessary step in creating a healthier New Orleans East for young people and families.”

The New Orleans East Opportunity Center will be open August 8th, 2022. Both YEP and EQA are already accepting applications for enrollment. For more information, visit

youthempowermentproject.org or eqaschools.org.

YEP & EQA representatives are available for interviews.

ABOUT YEP

Founded in 2004, Youth Empowerment Project engages young people through

community-based education, mentoring, employment readiness, and enrichment programs to help them develop skills and strengthen ties to family and community. Today, YEP annually serves over 800 youth between the ages of 7 and 24 across six sites in the Greater New Orleans area. YEP’s core purpose is to empower young people to improve their lives and the lives of others.

For more information, visit youthempowermentproject.org or follow us on Facebook,

Instagram, and Twitter.

ABOUT EQA

The mission of EQA Schools is to provide struggling students with the skills, confidence, and experiences necessary to succeed in the education and career paths of their choice. EQA serves students aged 12 – 21 through a year-round curriculum, and the schools are designed to meet students where they are, provide them with academic, career, and life training, and raise their own, their families’, and society’s expectations of their abilities and their future prospects