Operation REACH

Operation REACH

Operation REACH, Inc. is a non-profit agency whose mission is to engage, empower, and inspire children, youth, and families through innovative community-based learning opportunities.

We are looking for Loyola service learning students to assist in the following programs:

  • Home for Homework: An after school tutoring program for children in grades K- 8 that runs out of the Tallow Tree Safe Haven Community Center. The daily schedule includes homework help sessions as well as recreational and enrichment activities. We also host monthly youth-lead community events, forums, and activities for families. Volunteers can also suggest/ design plans for activities and events. Both Spanish and English-speaking families are served through this program, so we are definitely looking for bilingual volunteers. This is a great opportunity for those seeking Spanish language service learning placements.
  • College Bound: A mentoring program designed to prepare juniors and seniors from Orleans Parish high schools for the college application process.  Volunteers conduct individualized tutoring sessions every Tuesday and Thursday with students preparing for the ACT.  Volunteers also act as mentors in the application process to students, many of whom are first generation college applicants.
  • Gulf South Youth Action Fund (GYAF): A leadership and philanthropy development program that engages thirty middle and high school students as members of the Gulfsouth Youth Action Fund Youth Advisory Board. They participate in training sessions on topics including fiscal management, community organization, public relations, and the art of reading and writing business proposals. The Board facilitates training workshops for youth and adults, reviews proposals, and serves on a panel that makes grant awards of $500 to $5000 to local youth-led and youth-serving organizations engaged in Gulf Coast recovery and other youth-related issues throughout the Greater New Orleans region.  Two college-level volunteers are needed on Saturdays to help facilitate and assist Youth Advisory Board discussions and workshops.
  • One-time Events: Operation REACH, Inc. oversees other programs that aren’t currently seeking regular volunteers, but are in need of volunteers to serve at particular events. There will be many opportunities this year to volunteer with us— either through the programs listed above or through one of our other initiatives such as The Knowledge Garden Child Development Center or the Gulfsouth Youth Biodiesel Project. For a schedule of upcoming events or for more information on any of our programs email us at: volunteer@operationreach.org

Location: Offices at 2115 Carondelet St; Home for Homework takes place at 1024 Orange Blossom Lane, Harvey, LA 70058
Transportation: Our Carondelet St. offices are bikeable, or take the St. Charles streetcar to Josephine and walk one block.  Operation REACH may be able to transport volunteers from our office on Carondelet St. to our Home for Homework location on the West Bank.  Check with Operation REACH staff about this.
Days and Time: Home for Homework runs 3:30 to 6:30 pm from Monday through Thursday.  College Bound Volunteers have more flexible hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  GYAF meets Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm
Contact: Angela Lorenzo, alorenzo@operationreach.org, 504-529-1922 (x 114); Sandy Dempsey, sdempsey@operationreach.org, 504-529 1922 (x 113), or volunteer@operationreach.org