In 2010 the Partnership committed to bringing the issues and needs of our city’s youth to the forefront of the New Orleans Mayoral race. The resulting campaign was 10 for 2010, a 10 point pledge that we asked each candidate to endorse. 10 for 2010 also hosted a candidate debate attended by the front-runner candidates and moderated by WDSU’s Rachel Wulff.

10 for 2010 sought to take advantage of the 2010 Mayoral race as an opportunity to transform New Orleans into a vibrant community rich with thriving and supported children and youth.  Too often, we see the challenges young people in New Orleans face become significant barriers to their success.  And far too often, we see our young people give up on their dreams, disconnect from school and engage in dangerous behaviors. Moving forward we are using the pledge to evaluate New Orleans support of youth and direct planning for further efforts.

The 10 for 2010 campaign, led by the Partnership for Youth Development, urges all our elected officials and citizens to prioritize Youth during 2010 and pledge to build a municipal infrastructure that effectively supports our children and youth.  The 10 for 2010 platform recommends ten targeted policy solutions revolving around four key components essential for a youth-friendly city:

• Mayoral Leadership to Champion for Children and Youth
• Streamlined and Coordinated Public and Private Resources
• Expanded Opportunities for Youth to Learn and Work
• Increased Youth Voice in Municipal Decision-making

The Ten for 2010 campaign is a pledge to prioritize the needs of our children and youth across New Orleans, and invest in practical solutions aimed at dramatically improving the lives of our young people.  Our Youth are critical to the future of our city, and your commitment to the 10 for 2010 campaign is vital to their success.

1. New Orleans needs a Mayor who is a champion for our city’s Youth.

Recommendation:  The Mayor-elect in 2010 will establish an Education & Youth Transition Committee to direct the city’s priorities for Youth prior to taking office.

2.  The City of New Orleans must have leadership to dramatically increase opportunities and improve outcomes for all Youth.

Recommendation:  The City of New Orleans will designate an executive-level staff person within the Mayor’s Office to coordinate Youth initiatives, as well as promote effective collaborations and shared priorities among city leaders, school educators and community- and faith-based organizations.

3.  Youth in New Orleans need more recreational programs across the city.

Recommendation:  By 2010, we need to re-establish the New Orleans Recreation Department (NORD) as a separate district outside of city government to allow leaders the ability to immediately invest in quality Youth recreational programming and capital improvements.

4.  Without safe places to learn and play, Youth do not thrive.

Recommendation:  By 2011, New Orleans leaders must increase funding for Youth programming, including recreational programs, to $65 per resident.

5.  Older Youth, ages 15-21, need more job opportunities to work and learn.

Recommendation:  Increase the number of summer youth jobs through Job1, the City of New Orleans Office for Workforce Development.  In addition, the New Orleans Workforce Investment Board should increase Youth programs that provide training, mentoring and educational enrichment to help prepare Youth for the world of work and pursue career, academic and personal goals.

6.  Older Youth need safe havens to go during the hours they are not in school to avoid engaging in risky behaviors and to learn leadership, team building, and job skills.

Recommendation:  New Orleans will open a Youth Leadership Development Center in every district in the city, open during the afterschool and weekend hours, that will provide opportunities to attend enrichment programs in leadership, media arts, performance arts, college and career preparation, as well as receive health and wellness services, find jobs and obtain academic tutoring.

7.  New Orleans must streamline existing federal and state funding streams for Youth programs.

Recommendation: Within 180 days, the Mayor will complete a Funding Resource Map to track all federal, state and local investments for Youth including but not limited to education, youth programming, workforce development, and social and health services.

8.  Because public safety is a critical concern, New Orleans Police Department must have all available resources for working with youth and utilizing community policing strategy.

Recommendation:  Mandate that all NOPD officers receive evidence-based skills training in positive youth development.  Officers working directly with Youth must attend Advancing Youth Development training, a 30-hour skills building workshop to increase core competencies for working with Youth.

9.  Families, communities and city leaders need a comprehensive database of resources and services for Youth.

Recommendation:  Designate nolayouthmap.org as the official Youth Resource Database for the City of New Orleans.

10.  Older Youth need more opportunities for authentic civic engagement to rebuild a Youth-Friendly New Orleans and inform city leaders about issues that affect them directly.

Recommendation:  The Mayor will create a Youth Advisory Board where Youth will serve as representatives from across the city and talk with city leaders about the learning, recreational and career opportunities they need to grow into successful, productive citizens.

New Orleans: Younited for Youth!

The Ten for 2010 campaign is a non-partisan public education program comprised of policy recommendations intended to engage New Orleans citizens and create active dialogue about the critical need for more Youth Opportunities in our city.