Program Supports STEM Education for Justice-Impacted Women
NEW ORLEANS — Nearly a dozen women impacted by incarceration have achieved something many thought nearly impossible eight weeks ago. That’s when they began an intensive Lab Assistant Rapid Reskilling Program to train as certified medical laboratory assistants. After completing the program, the students receive certificates in a graduation ceremony on Friday, Nov. 8, from noon to 2 p.m.
This marks the eighth cohort of the program. Receiving certification can be life-changing for women impacted by incarceration. The innovative program is also a dream come true for Syrita Steib, founder of Operation Restoration, who envisioned it more than a decade ago on the first day of her own job in a clinical laboratory.
Steib developed the lab assistant training program as part of a fellowship with 500 Women Scientists. Steib, a licensed and certified clinical laboratory scientist, and Operation Restoration are also founding partners in the national STEM-OPS network that promotes science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning opportunities for people in prisons.
WHO: Graduates of Operation Restoration’s Lab Assistant Rapid Reskilling Program
WHAT: Graduation Ceremony
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 8, noon–2 p.m.
WHERE: The Venue, 4747 Earhart Blvd., Ste. B, New Orleans, LA 70125
WHY: Commemorating the completion of eight-week lab assistant training program
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