LETTER FROM OUR CEO: “Breaking Barriers and Celebrating Success”

May has been a powerful reminder of why we do this work. From honoring the educators in our lives to celebrating the women we serve, this month has been full of reasons to recognize growth, perseverance and success.

At Operation Restoration, graduation season was filled with meaningful accomplishments. The month began by celebrating graduation for Operation Education, including our ninth cohort of graduates from OR’s Lab Assistant Rapid Reskilling Program. This achievement by six legal system-impacted women who completed an accelerated eight-week training program, obtaining the knowledge and skills needed to work in laboratory healthcare settings. We also celebrated a student who earned her high school equivalency diploma through our Women FIRST Clinic – a reentry education program that helps current and formerly incarcerated women pursue Adult Basic Education.

Last, but certainly not least, we celebrated Stephanie King, our very first College-In-Prison program graduate. Stephanie began her higher education career while incarcerated and following her release, she completed her coursework online. While Stephanie completed her bachelor’s degree in social sciences in December 2024, she officially walked during the Tulane School of Professional Advancement’s commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 17. Stephanie now works full-time with the East Baton Rouge Public Defender’s Office.

All of our graduates are trailblazers who exemplify how another chance can transform lives. The data speaks for itself: while the national recidivism rate for women hovers around 30 percent within five years of release, 95 percent of incarcerated people who pursue education stay out of prison. Education works.

These barrier-breaking accomplishments give us a renewed sense of urgency to ensure the sustainability of our Operation Education programs so that all women have the knowledge, access, support and confidence they need to successfully pursue any educational and professional opportunities they choose.

In Solidarity,

Syrita Steib

Founder, President & CEO

Operation Restoration