Enrichment 2 Empowerment (E2E)
Enrichment 2 Empowerment (E2E) is a youth-centered, youth-led program for ages 14 to 19 that empowers young people to understand and address violence in New Orleans. Combining sociopolitical development (SPD), Positive Youth Development (PYD), and youth participatory action research (YPAR), E2E uplifts youth voices and equips participants with tools to advocate for resources that improve their lives and reduce exposure to violence.
Through guest speakers, workshops, and excursions, youth participants:
Tell community stories with photography, art, and other narrative forms
Develop research skills such as investigative interviewing and survey design
Connect with activists, policymakers, and community leaders
E2E is a collaboration between the Center for Youth Equity in the Violence Prevention Institute at Tulane University and numerous community partners, with funding from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention as a National Center of Excellence in Youth Violence Prevention.
Program Timeline & Activities
From Summer 2023 to Spring 2025, E2E guided New Orleans youth in research, storytelling, and advocacy on community violence. Participants produced the documentary This Is New Orleans: Stories of Truth and Hope, led screenings and campaigns, influenced city budgets for youth services, and mentored peers to expand youth-led civic engagement.
This Is New Orleans: Stories of Truth and Hope
E2E hosted screenings of their youth-produced documentary with panels and surveys, highlighting needs for safe youth spaces, programs, therapy, and jobs. Through advocacy, youth secured funding for mental health, youth transit, and restorative justice, while continuing to push for expanded services and community spaces.
Public Health Impact
E2E addresses violence as a public health issue by creating safe youth spaces, supporting trauma-informed healing, and fostering civic engagement. Youth-led advocacy and cross-sector partnerships advance policy change and community safety, helping children and families thrive free from violence.
Community Partners
E2E partners include local nonprofits and youth-serving organizations, schools, advocacy groups, community members, and city leaders collaborating to support youth research, storytelling, advocacy, and restorative justice initiatives.
Address
1440 Canal Street, Suite 1510, New Orleans, LA 70112
social media
@tulanevpi