Healthy Teen Network is pleased to announce that the nonprofit volunteer organization Youth Rebuilding New Orleans has been selected to receive the 2019 Youth 360° Innovation Award.

With the Youth 360° Innovation Award, Healthy Teen Network recognizes emerging innovations and achievements in adolescent sexual and reproductive health promotion that integrate the social determinants of health. The award recognizes organizations committed to a holistic and innovative approaches to reduce health disparities and promote equity. (Learn more about our awards and past awardees on our conference website.)

Youth Rebuilding New Orleans’ mission is to engage local youth in the recovery and rebirth of New Orleans and equip young people with valuable job and life skills. While working toward that mission, YRNO has rebuilt 19 homes and sold them to local educators and social impact professionals. Since the REbuild Program kicked off in 2011, the organization has trained over 220 local youth in construction, job-readiness, and life skills. YRNO was featured in Mike Rowe’s Returning the Favor Facebook series last year that recognizes “Do Gooders” for their work in the community. The episode has had more than 5 million views.

Executive Director Dwayne “Prince” Holmes Jr., a graduate of Southern University and proud New Orleans native, will be accepting this award on behalf of YRNO. While working with YRNO, Holmes has renovated 16 homes, mentored thousands of youth, and provided assistance to hundreds of families throughout Louisiana. He advocates to bring awareness to social inequality and the disconnection between what youth actually need compared to what is offered, including concepts like structure, certification, counseling, and community engagement.

Holmes explains,

“I often dream of the day that all people will be judged and treated by the same standard. When provided the same opportunity, all can prosper and enjoy the same endeavors of life. However, every day that I engage with my community, I understand that my dream is only a dream, and the odds are not stacked in my favor. This doesn’t discourage me, but instead challenges me in my work. I’m confident that change will come as long as ‘WE’ fight the good fight, not theirs.”

Healthy Teen Network will celebrate Youth Rebuilding New Orleans’ efforts by presenting the Youth 360° Innovation award at our national conference on Tuesday, October 29, 2019, during the awards luncheon at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel.