Just last April, a new state law took effect which lowered the age of adults to 17 years old for criminal offenses. Nearly one year later, a proposed amendment could expand the court’s ability to send minors to adult prisons for any offense. This action will be determined by whether or not we, as voters, show up to the polls and make our voices heard.

Historically, February has been a month designated to honor and highlight the many milestones and achievements of Black leaders, innovators and creators. Right now, as we witness the attack on human rights across the country, it can cause us to question whether we have progressed at all.

After her conviction nearly 30 years ago, Stephanie King knew she needed to make changes to get her life back on track.

King, who grew up in Slidell, was convicted of armed robbery and manslaughter after her then-husband robbed and fatally stabbed a man while she waited in a car. She was sentenced to 60 years in prison.

NEW ORLEANS (Jan. 9, 2024) — Operation Restoration (OR), in partnership with the Tulane University School of Professional Advancement (SoPA), celebrates a milestone achievement with their first College-In-Prison program graduate.

NOLA NOW - A local organization is helping women and girls impacted by incarceration to recognize their full potential. Syrita Steib tells us how her own life story turned into the non-profit transforming lives.

With this year’s general election behind us, we must now look forward and shift our attention and focus on what could become a statewide ballot measure in March of 2025.

With the election just days away, it is important to realize that voter disenfranchisement is real. Those who have the right to vote should not take that right for granted.

According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), over 5 million Americans are not allowed to vote because of laws that prohibit people with felony convictions from voting.

Syrita Steib, founder, president, and CEO of Operation Restoration, is here to explain how it works.

Throughout National Hispanic Heritage Month, it is important that we celebrate and recognize the contributions and influence of Hispanic people to the history, culture and resilience of our communities. While Operation Restoration actively engages in anti-bias work to cultivate inclusivity and diversity within our organization, our carceral system continues to view and treat our Hispanic community as less than people.

MS. - According to the Prison Policy Initiative (PPI), the state of Louisiana “locks up a higher percentage of its people than any independent democratic country on earth.”

This staggering trend has a disproportionate impact on women. Regardless of whether they are held in local, state or federal facilities, women’s incarceration not only impacts themselves, but touches their family, friends and communities. Moreover, PPI estimates that 80 percent of women in jails and prisons are mothers or are the primary caretakers of young children, making the upheaval caused by incarceration a serious social welfare concern.

WDSU - Volunteers needed to mentor New Orleans girls impacted by incarceration. Operation Restoration is hosting a recruitment event.

NEW ORLEANS — A local organization has put out the call for volunteers to mentor young girls in New Orleans who have been impacted by the criminal justice center.

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Are you still trying to snag tickets to see Taylor Swift’s “Eras” tour at the Caesars Superdome for three nights in late October?

Two local non-profit organizations, Son of a Saint and Operation Restoration have just announced a special raffle with multiple chances to win.

WBOK 1230AM - Live from the Democratic National Convention with Syrita Steib (Founder & President of Operation Restoration). The goal is to shift the conversation and advocate for solutions to the country’s mass incarceration issues and specifically the plight of women impacted by the system.

There are three ways you can support Operation Restoration this Black Philanthropy Month: (1) through Auctions in August by bidding on a pair of Saints tickets, (2) by casting votes for us on your Target Circle account that awards points for purchases and (3) by donating on #Give828 August 28, a national day of giving focused specifically on supporting Black-led and Black-benefitting organizations.

BIZ NEW ORLEANS – Syrita Steib, founder of Operation Restoration, has announced the appointment of three new members to the organization’s board of directors. Operation Restoration is a New Orleans-based nonprofit that supports incarceration-impacted women and girls.

New board members are Sandra Diggs-Miller, vice president of external affairs for Entergy Corporation; Dr. Ambika Prasad, associate director and professor of practice at Tulane University; and Lori A. Green, attorney at-law.

FOX 8 - Ashley Crawford, Policy & Legal Associate, made an appearance on Fox 8 News to shed light on how Operation Restoration empowers women and girls impacted by the criminal legal system to overcome hurdles and rebuild their lives.

WBOK 1230AM - Montrell Carmouche, Senior Quality Care Innovator, informs the public Operation Restoration will celebrate Juneteenth with a day of service to the community. This year, the staff and volunteers will register people to vote, serve food and distribute clothing to the community.

The staff at Operation Restoration (OR) celebrates Juneteenth with a day of service to the community. This year, the staff and volunteers will register people to vote, serve hot meals and distribute clothing to the community from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. on Friday, June 14 at PotBelly NOLA, 2908 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

TRUTHOUT - For decades, tenants with criminal records have been restricted from accessing public housing. This may soon change. Like other advocates, Dolfinette Martin, housing specialist at Operation Restoration in New Orleans, told Truthout that while the HUD “proposal does not solve everything,” she supports it.