ABOUT
YEP
MISSION & HISTORY.
Youth Empowerment Project was founded in 2004 by three juvenile justice advocates to support formerly incarcerated young people as they transitioned back into their communities. It was the first program of its kind in the state of Louisiana. Since then, YEP has expanded to engage young people who live in poverty, are out of school or work, or have experienced trauma.
Today, we provide mentoring and youth advocacy, adult education and high school equivalency preparation, employment readiness and career exploration, and out-of-school time enrichment programming. As a community-based nonprofit, these programs have been developed in response to unmet community needs and are aligned with YEP’s core purpose, which is to empower young people to improve their lives and the lives of others.
CORE VALUES.
Our core value icons were designed by YEP youth interns on our Communications team.
SUPPORTERS.
We're so grateful to the individuals, companies, and foundations that support our work and share a vision for the kind of society we want for our children. Partners listed below include those who have made a donation of at least $10,000 in the past year.
THE YEP TEAM.
Board of Directors.
Chris LeBato, Board President
Lynne Burkart, Board Vice President
Postlethwaite and Netterville
Suzanne Rusovich, Board Vice President
Franchesca Lorio, Board Treasurer
Advantage Capital
Laura Politz, Board Secretary
Ben Allen
PerkUp Financial Health
Elizabeth Boh
Gretchen Chase
Clayton Ventures
Scot Craig
Katie's Restaurant
Donna Luke Derokey
Stirling Properties
Jay Dumas
Dumas Family Dentistry
Eli Feinstein
Fox Henning
Amanda Hammack
Judge Calvin Johnson (Ret.)
Leroy Prout
HRI Properties
Elicia Broussard Sheridan
New Orleans Saints
Jackie Weill
Weill Consulting Group