NEW ORLEANS – YouthForce NOLA, non-profit creating career opportunities for New Orleans youth, marked its 10th anniversary with a special celebration at the historic New Orleans Lakefront Airport on Sept. 25. The event recognized a decade of empowering thousands of local high school students through career-connected learning, advocacy, and coaching – and special recognition was given to Leslie Jacobs and Cate Swinburn for their leadership in co-founding the organization.
“Ten years ago, YouthForce NOLA began as a bold call to action — a belief that every young person in New Orleans deserves the opportunity to turn their potential into purpose. Today, that belief has become a movement,” said YouthForce NOLA CEO Cate Swinburn. “Together with our schools, businesses, and community partners, we are helping students not only discover meaningful careers, but also their own limitless power to shape the future of our city and the world beyond.”
Another highlight of the evening came as Entergy New Orleans, a longtime partner, announced a $20,000 gift to YouthForce NOLA to advance its mission.
“Supporting YouthForce NOLA means investing in the future of New Orleans,” said Patty Riddlebarger, vice president of corporate social responsibility at Entergy. “We’re excited to help equip young people for success and strengthen the communities we serve through efforts like this one.”
The event raised more than $200,000 from about 25 sponsors to advance YouthForce NOLA’s mission, and Swinburn said without their financial and participatory support, the organization’s success wouldn’t be the same.
Since launching with 18 student interns in 2015, YouthForce NOLA has expanded its reach each year, now connecting more than 5,000 New Orleans public high school students annually with career training, paid internships, and essential workplace skills. In 2025 alone, 272 students benefited from the organization’s robust summer internship program, Swinburn said, earning more than $600,000 in stipends and gaining a competitive edge in the jobmarket. According to recent data, alumni who completed a YouthForce NOLA internship earn on average $6,500 more annually than their peers in Louisiana.
With 100 percent of local public high schools actively partnered, YouthForce NOLA’s unique model leverages collaboration between educators, local businesses, and government entities. Over 250 local companies provide meaningful internships and support, helping young people prepare for good-paying jobs and fulfilling lives.
To achieve its mission, the YouthForce NOLA team shares it continues to focus on three strategic efforts:
● Career-Connected Learning: In partnership with organizations like the New Orleans Career Center, Junior Achievement GNO, Gateway EMS Training (GEMS), NOVAC, and Operation Spark, the organization delivers high-quality career education and skill- building, from interview coaching to professional communication and workplace engagement.
● Advocacy for Public Policy: YouthForce NOLA champions policies and funding that empower local training partners and catalyze long-term improvements for youth outcomes citywide.
● Coaching through its Solutions Lab: The team shares expertise nationally, guiding other communities on implementing successful career-connected programming for young people.
“Our 10th anniversary is both a celebration and a rallying call to our community,” said Swinburn. “We recommit to preparing New Orleans youth for bright futures and invite more partners, businesses, and supporters to join us in this vital work.”
YouthForce NOLA’s generous sponsors include Entergy, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Ochsner Health, The Rosenthal Family Foundation, Walton Family Foundation, BCM, Gallo Mechanical, GNO Inc., Laitram, Landis Construction, Pat & Byron LeBlanc, Prime BAS, Patrick F. Taylor Foundation, United Way of Southeast Louisiana, Blossman Gas, Greater New Orleans Foundation, Louisiana Blue, New Orleans & Company, Phelps, ResourceFull, Trepwise, and WRSTBND.
For businesses and community members interested in supporting YouthForce NOLA and helping New Orleans students achieve lifelong success in the workforce, Swinburn encouraged them to contact the organization directly.