The Academy

The Empower 225 Leadership Academy helps youth ages 13 – 24 become leaders through Educational Support, Life Skills Training, and Employment Training.

Academy Programs include:

  • the Dream Center Accelerate Program (DAP), an after-school program that provides a safe positive place and educational support for at-risk youth ages 13-18 after school and during the summer;

  • the Chafee Independent Living Program, providing life-skills training for youth ages 14-21 in foster care or aged out of foster care; and

  • the 225 Employment Program , an 8-week curriculum to prepare young adults ages 18-24 to obtain and retain successful employment.

Housing Programs

Anchor House provides stable housing and support for homeless or at-risk male youth ages 16-21 in Baton Rouge who are trying to improve their lives. It is an eight-bed family-style transitional living program used to create a supportive home environment.

The Rapid Rehousing Program provides short-to-medium term housing assistance for qualifying homeless youth ages 18-24. Participants are assigned through the statewide Coordinated Entry program.

Foster Care/Adoption

The Foster Care/Adoption initiative provides awareness and advocacy for youth in care and available for adoption; recruits, secures, and trains foster and adoptive parents; and provides support and training for caregivers and birth parents. The traveling Louisiana Heart Gallery (LHG) display is a collection of pictures and information about the youth available for adoption. Learn more at www.louisianaheartgallery.com.

The Street Outreach Program

The Street Outreach Program (SOP) provides street-based services to homeless and at-risk youth ages 12-21. For questions, contact SOP at 225-286-9344 or streetoutreach@empower225.org.

The HOPE Team

The HOPE Team provides supportive services and mentoring to victims of human trafficking. It also facilitates training for those who serve these victims including law enforcement, medical employees and state officials. Email hope@empower225.org for more information.

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