LETTER FROM OUR CEO: “Adult Education Leads to Immeasurable Impact”

Every September, the National Coalition for Literacy takes a week to raise awareness about the need and value for adult education and family literacy. As an organization that creates new educational and career pathways for currently and formerly incarcerated women, we believe when people are equipped with the tools they need to thrive, the impact on communities is immeasurable.

Knowing how much education changed my life post-release, I started envisioning programs that increased access to viable educational and career opportunities to women impacted by the carceral system. As a result, one of Operation Restoration’s first offerings was our Women FIRST Clinic, a reentry education program to prepare justice-impacted incarcerated women to obtain their high school equivalency and successfully complete any other educational goals they choose. Nearly a decade later, our educational opportunities now also include training and preparing women to work in clinical laboratory settings and offering the first in-person, secular, higher education opportunity to incarcerated women in Louisiana, in partnership with Tulane’s School of Professional Advancement.

Removing barriers to reentry for women is a foundation of Operation Restoration’s mission. This foundation has allowed us to help numerous women either earn their high school equivalency diploma, become licensed clinical laboratory assistants and/or obtain their bachelor’s degree. These successes not only impact individuals but entire generations of families.

When incarcerated individuals seek education, they are more likely to stay out of prison and secure employment. In recognition of Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, let’s all do our part to help individuals recognize their full potential, restore their lives and discover new possibilities.

In Solidarity,

Syrita Steib

Founder, President & CEO

Operation Restoration