My job at YRNO is to develop the business plan for the organization. I take all of the information that Youth Rebuilding New Orleans has gathered on itself and I put it together in a cohesive plan. As a business major, I am able to put my skills that I have learned over the past four years to use and simultaneously help open up YRNO to a number of new opportunities. In order to apply for some grants and certain forms of funding, a business plan is a necessary part of the application process. Going forward, YRNO will be able to use my work to help with their funding process. YRNO receives its funding from multiple streams: selling homes to teachers, needed donations from individuals and companies, and from grants.

Ultimately, I view the experience as beneficial both for myself and for Youth Rebuilding New Orleans. I am lucky enough to gain valuable work experience with a local non-profit organization. YRNO benefits from having an intern come in and both write a business plan and update old strategies and tactics.  In the past several months, I have learned so much about the non-profit community of New Orleans. In working within the team, I now realize that everyone can make an impact in their own community with the right amount of effort. No matter what your background is, chances are that you possess some skill that can be used to benefit the community around you. Whether you have the ability to create your own non-profit, or you just have a solid work ethic to offer up to others, you can make an impact if you look in the right places.

-Erik Paskewich

Business Development Intern

A few great moments I shared recently with volunteers:

A group of international visitors through the state department spent a day volunteering with us. By the end of the day the girls were very tired but that didn’t stop the girls from sharing their culture through music and dance. Right there in the front lawn an impromptu dancing clinic was held with so much joy and laughter.  

In addition to rebuilding homes for teachers, YRNO maintains several community based projects. During one such project we had the chance to paint the front of a home in much need of a face lift. When the homeowner’s sons arrived home from school (they got out early that day because of testing) they immediately volunteered. The volunteers and new volunteer recruits spent the day talking, asking questions, and learning about one another.  It was a wonderful learning experience for all involved.

So please stay in touch and check back soon for more stories and updated from Youth Rebuilding New Orleans.

-Sincerely

William Stoudt