Enrichment 2 Empowerment
E2E Program Timeline & Activities
From Summer 2023 to Spring 2025, the Enrichment 2 Empowerment (E2E) program guided New Orleans youth through research, storytelling, and advocacy on community violence. Participants produced the documentary This Is New Orleans: Stories of Truth and Hope, led campaigns and screenings, influenced city budgets for youth services, and mentored peers, showcasing the impact of youth voices on community engagement and policy change.
Summer 2023: YPAR Academy
- 23 participants attended a four-week YPAR intensive to explore the history and challenges of New Orleans.
- Youth engaged in social-emotional learning, leadership development, and collaborative decision-making to create their own research question:
“Investigate community stories of violence in New Orleans and create a project and action plan that informs the public and inspires action.” - Participants built research and storytelling skills while forming a supportive peer network.
Fall 2023: Research & Storytelling
- 20 youth continued in 11 Saturday sessions to conduct interviews on topics including safety, mental health, education, and post-Katrina community change.
- Interview findings became the foundation for the youth-produced documentary This Is New Orleans: Stories of Truth and Hope.
- “This project gave me the courage to share my story and the power to listen to others.” – E2E participant
Spring 2024: Analysis & Advocacy
- 15 youth analyzed interview themes, revised the documentary, and developed a public call to action for city leaders.
- Youth launched a social change campaign demanding increased resources and safe spaces for young people.
- Post-screening surveys showed 83% of attendees felt the film reflected their lived experiences, with community members prioritizing free therapy, safe youth spaces, and jobs.
Summer 2024: Public Screenings & Coalition Advocacy
- With an expansion to New Orleans East, the program hosted documentary screenings with youth-led panel discussions for community members, nonprofit leaders, and city officials.
- Program partnered with the Big Easy Budget Coalition, calling for a $20 million city investment in youth programming.
- Participants also mentored younger peers in YPAR projects.
- “It was powerful to see young people not just participating, but leading the conversation about safety and community change.” – Screening attendee
Fall 2024: Policy Impact
- Program advocacy contributed to city budget wins:
- $10 million for children’s mental health services
- $2.5 million for free youth transit fares
- Expanded school-based restorative justice programming
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While proposals for a dedicated youth services fund, expanded youth programs, and a “Third Place Hub” remain unfulfilled, these priorities continue to guide ongoing advocacy efforts.
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“Because of E2E, I know my voice matters—and I can use it to make change.” – E2E participant
Spring 2025: Campaign Expansion
- Screenings extended to the Westbank to spark dialogue and mobilize support.
- E2E youth collaborated with a communications specialist to create short videos for social media advocacy.
- Research teams launched follow-up community surveys to assess campaign impact.
- Youth mentored younger peers in research and advocacy skills, planting seeds for the next generation of leaders.
- Ongoing community surveys revealed that younger respondents (<18) reported higher exposure to violence but also greater civic engagement, underscoring the urgency of investing in youth voices.