Community Reintegration Program
YEP began in 2004 to provide effective reintegration services to youth returning home from correctional institutions and group homes, and while our mandate and clientele have expanded, this is still a key service of the organization. Through the provision of intensive, individualized case management and support, YEP ensures that coordinated services are provided in meaningful and effective ways for youth making the very difficult – and critical – transition from facility to home.

Through a system of experienced Youth Advocates, specialized supportive services, and close monitoring, YEP provides a highly successful reintegration program to high-risk and vulnerable New Orleans youth.  YEP's youth advocates are young, positive, well trained African-Americans who serve as role models, mentors and counselors that our clients relate to because they share similar backgrounds and overcame common challenges. Our advocates maintain small caseloads, which allow them to spend hours of personal time with each client. The guiding principle for our reintegration program is that purposeful, frequent contacts between youth and highly trained, caring young adults targets multiple risk factors and develops resiliency in this disconnected population. 

The Village Program
YEP’s newest program, The Village, is a fusion of two of our highly successful programs – NOPLAY and Mentoring.  The guiding principle for the development of this program is that in order to be successful, vulnerable, high-risk youth need comprehensive, wrap-around services that are provided to them in a structured, caring environment. The Village provides youth with educational, social services and mentoring supports in a structured and engaging environment.  The Village class meets Monday through Thursday from 10am to 3pm which includes five hours of enrichment services (this may include career preparation, guest speakers, life skill development or field trips).  In addition to the 25 hours a week that students will be involved in structured NOPLAY activities, they will have ongoing access to the support of YEP’s case management team, supportive services and Youth Advocates.   

Youth Advocates provide intensive support that includes transportation, employment assistance, crisis intervention, enrichment activities, basic needs and community referrals.  Melding educational and youth advocacy services gives vulnerable youth the support they need to make significant and sustainable change in their lives and community. 

NOPLAY (New Orleans Providing Literacy to All Youth)
NOPLAY specializes in providing GED and basic literacy instruction to out-of-school youth and young adults between the ages of 16-24 from the Greater New Orleans region. NOPLAY is the only adult education provider in the city that specializes in providing literacy and educational services to at-risk youth and young adults. All eligible applicants are admitted to NOPLAY, no matter how high or low their academic initial assessment, even if they lack documentation required in more traditional educational settings.  Although NOPLAY focuses on younger adults we open are doors to more mature adults over the ages of 24. NOPLAY classes are held at the Tulane Tower Learning Center which is located at 2601 Tulane Avenue on the second floor. Our hours of operation are Monday –Thursday 10am-7pm and Fridays 10am-2pm. NOPLAY has an open-enrollment policy and is tailored to meet the individual needs of at-risk students -- students receive the intensive, personalized instruction they need for the time they need it.

NOPLAY offers both a drop in center for students who need a flexible classroom schedule and managed classes for those who need a more structures classroom environment. Note: All minors are required to attend managed classes (schedule available at enrollment).  Besides instruction tailored to each student's needs, background and interests, NOPLAY also addresses barriers that might prevent students from attending, including the provision of bus tokens, small room for parents with small children, coaching for students interested in going to college and pursuing employment.