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An exciting new opportunity for youth is participating in
our Covenant Farms program in the Treme/Lafitte area of New
Orleans. We are transforming vacant lots in Treme into micro-farms,
growing fresh food for use in our café and for a green
market where the community can purchase quality, local produce
and other products. Herb gardens, heirloom vegetables, flowers
and even eggs and honey are planned. Youth participating in
this program will learn new skills in garden preparation,
planting, growing, harvesting and selling. They will also
take classes focusing on the urban garden movement, food security
and growing and cooking fresh, wholesome food.
The first garden is located at 2231 Orleans
Avenue and at present, 11 more gardens are planned. Our partner,
Food and Farm Network will help plan and develop these micro-farms
and our very own White Dove Landscaping will provide installation
labor. Covenant Café will also use Covenant Farms produce.
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| The “Second
Chance Program” is a volunteer mentoring program that
targets recently released juveniles from select south Louisiana
juvenile detention facilities. The primary goals of the program
are to reduce incarceration recidivism among youth ex-offenders,
and enhance the capacity of local youth service providers.
Covenant House intends to achieve this by using an innovative
mentoring process that matches incarcerated youth with a well
trained community mentor, while providing a full continuum
of wrap around transitional services essential to successful
reintegration back into the community. When engaging youth
in meaningful activities, knowledge will increase, attitudes
will change, and high risk behaviors will be significantly
reduced or eliminated. We therefore believe that through life
changing mentored relationships, our youth will not return
to the criminal and delinquent behaviors of the past.
Some Mentor Expectations/Activities:
• Participation in social activities (e.g. athletic
events, museum/social visits, community service, etc.)
• Maintain a high level of contact with mentee.
• Cultivate a relationship that defines the mentor as
a friend, rather than that of an authoritative figure.
• There will be extensive training for mentors, especially
on communications and limit setting.
• There will be intensive support with each mentoring
match.
• The program will take into account youth and mentor
preferences.
If you are interested in participating in this
mentoring program, please contact Harold Dédé,
Reentry Project Coordinator, at 504-584-1137. Or, if you are
interested in other volunteer opportunities, please contact
Human Resources Manger/Volunteer Coordinator, Monica Chanel,
at 504-584-1161. |
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