The University of New Orleans this week announced a youth sports program aimed at giving young people in the city more access to athletics and recreation programs, as well as job opportunities.
According to WWL Louisiana, the $1.95 million Recreation for Youth Partnership, is a public-private initiative that's expected to provide year-round programming for more than 6,000 kids in its first year.
“It started with one idea: that every kid in New Orleans deserves access to opportunity, structure, and support,” said project leader Laura Rodrigue. “And it grew into a coalition of people who said, ‘We can do this.’”
The program will include team sports, mentorship, and workforce opportunities for local students. Officials said the program will also create jobs tied to the year-round programming at UNO.
University leaders said the goal is to create sustainable, community-driven opportunities that help young people thrive both on and off the field.
