Reconcile New Orleans

Location: New Orleans, LA

Website:
www.reconcileneworleans.org

We are a community of concerned people committed to addressing the system of generational poverty, violence and neglect in the New Orleans area. Our innovative life skills and job training program assists young people (ages 16–22) from severely at-risk communities who desire to make a positive change in their lives.

Reconcile’s students arrive facing a vast array of challenges, from extreme poverty and high school attrition to homelessness, violence, and participation in the juvenile justice system. Nonetheless, these young people possess a deep desire to break the cycle and become productive, contributing members of society.

As our name suggests, we believe in the power of reconciliation to help us overcome poverty, prejudice and fear. We work to make things whole, and to celebrate and pursue a shared vision of hope and prosperity for all people.

At Reconcile New Orleans, we believe:

- People of all races, cultures, and experiences can come together to pursue and achieve the common goals of spiritual, social, and economic enrichment and success for all people.

- Community members working together can effectively combat poverty, prejudice and fear through programs inspired by love, compassion, and the principle of self-help.

- Young people can have a voice in constructive change rather than being displaced by change.

- Together we can be a model for inner city renewal, education, and shared success.

These beliefs are guided by a set of core principles that includes:

- Reconciliation: overcoming poverty, prejudice and fear,

- Spirituality: teaching life’s lessons through love,

- Hope: providing educational and economic opportunities for youth,

- Self-Respect: developing self-worth through holistic development,

- Education:learning through hands-on work,

- Collaboration: working through partnerships and

- Self-Efficacy: transformation through experiencing success.