Several years ago, a group of grandchildren were gathered on Nina Nichols’ sofa, and one asked her about the pieces of paper adorning her walls. She explained they were diplomas, signifying that her son and two daughters had successfully completed high school. She noted the children’s grandfather had one, too, but the paper got lost during Katrina.
“Then they asked if I had one,” Nichols, 59, said, “and I got quiet for a moment. I had lied to so many people about it, but I had to tell them the truth—that I didn’t.”
She knew she wanted to get her diploma, but she didn’t know how. As Nichols was touring the Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) with her grandson, who was about to enroll in its free after-school program called YEP Enriches, she spied a brochure about YEP Educates. Nichols was thrilled to discover this was a pathway to a high school equivalency diploma for someone like her. Age didn’t matter. There were no set classes to attend, just a supportive group of educators ready to welcome her when she needed them.
Nina had held many jobs, including nursing assistant, cook and preschool teacher. She and her husband raised children who went on to college. She knew she was smart, and she was proud of her accomplishments, but not having her own diploma had nagged at her.
“All my life, I felt a little bit like a fraud. I lied on job applications, just hoping no one asked for a copy of my diploma,” she said. “It was a terrible feeling, like a shadow hanging over me. Getting my diploma, a weight just lifted.”
What Is YEP and YEP Educates?
In New Orleans, where resilience and community spirit thrive, YEP is a beacon of hope and transformation. Among its impactful initiatives, YEP Educates plays a crucial role in empowering individuals to overcome barriers and achieve their full potential, by providing crucial educational opportunities for people who, for various reasons, did not complete their traditional high school education.
YEP Educates offers free classes with flexible options.
YEP Educates is one of YEP’s four core programs. YEP Works provides workforce training; YEP Enriches offers free out-of-school time programming; and YEP Mentors provides community-based mentoring and case management. YEP Educates is an adult education program, offering a supportive and accessible pathway for people ages 16 and older to earn their high school equivalency diploma. The program primarily focuses on preparing students to pass the High School Equivalency Test but also provides literacy skills and post-secondary support. Instruction is offered in English and Spanish.
YEP Educates aims to:
- Provide accessible education: YEP understands that many adults face barriers to education, such as financial constraints, family responsibilities, or past negative experiences with the traditional school system. YEP Educates offers free classes with flexible options.
- Empower individuals: By equipping individuals with a high school equivalency diploma, YEP Educates opens doors to greater opportunities, including better employment prospects, higher earning potential, and access to further education.
- Break cycles of poverty: Education is a powerful tool for social mobility. YEP Educates helps individuals break free of cycles of poverty and create a better future for themselves and their families.
- Strengthen the community: A more educated population benefits the entire community. YEP Educates contributes to a stronger, more vibrant New Orleans by empowering its residents to become active, engaged, and productive members of society.
YEP Educates’ impact extends beyond participants, rippling outward to benefit the entire Greater New Orleans community, strengthening families, revitalizing communities, and creating a more prosperous and equitable society for all. YEP Educates serves a diverse population in the Greater New Orleans area, including out-of-school youth who have left the traditional school system without graduating; adult learners of all ages who seek to improve their education and career prospects; people seeking a second chance who may have faced challenges in the past and are now committed to pursuing their educational goals; and Spanish-speaking individuals.
For Dennis Warren, 54, earning his high school equivalency diploma from YEP Educates was pivotal. “Everything changed,” he said. Warren in 2022 became a peace officer with the New Orleans Parish Sheriff’s office and continued his education by completing the FBI Citizens Academy. Now he’s a deputy clerk for the Orleans Parish Criminal District Court, a job that would not have been possible without a high school equivalency diploma.
“Because of YEP, I can say that success is not unreachable,” Warren said. “Wherever I want to go, I go. Why? Because I have that one little bitty piece of paper [a high school diploma]. That makes all the difference in the world.”
After earning her high school equivalency diploma in December, Nichols didn’t skip a beat. In January, she began studying at Delgado Community College, where she is enrolled in the 2-year Child Development program, with plans to open her own childcare business. Occasionally, she runs into another Delgado college student: her grandson.
“I like college,” she said. “YEP made it possible for me to continue my education. Now, I’m looking forward to getting my next diploma—from college!” she said.
As of this year, and since the program started, nearly 800 people will have obtained their diploma via YEP, which can lead to tangible career advancement, increased financial stability, and access to further education. Older participants often bring a high level of motivation and life experience to the program, enriching the learning environment for everyone.
And they become powerful role models, demonstrating that it is never too late to pursue one's dreams.
Dean Howard is chief development officer for the Youth Empowerment Program in New Orleans, La.
