Operation Restoration Celebrates Opening of New Office at Benson Tower

New Orleans, LA (Feb. 7, 2020) – Operation Restoration, a New Orleans-based nonprofit focused on empowering women impacted by incarceration to successfully reenter the community, unveils new office space on Wednesday, February 12 at Benson Tower with festivities beginning at 5 p.m.

Operation Restoration, founded in 2016 by Syrita Steib and Annie Phoenix, focuses primarily on education, employment, housing and providing services that cover other basic needs for formerly incarcerated women and girls, while also advocating for policy change on a state and federal level. Since 2018, the organization has grown from two to 13 full-time employees, along with 20 contract staff. Last year, Operation Restoration added eight new programs to double the number of direct services that it provides to clients.

“No institution or system was designed for women and girls,” says Steib, executive director of Operation Restoration. “We have an obligation to dismantle systems that were never built for us. The reason that I do what I do is for those I left behind.”

New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson is donating 4,716 square feet of office space on the second floor of Benson Tower to Operation Restoration. It will house the organization’s 12 full-time employees and 15 social service programs.

The grand opening begins with a reception from 5-5:30 p.m. The program includes remarks by Sister Marjorie Hebert, president and CEO of Catholic Charities, Mrs. Benson and Mayor LaToya Cantrell addressing the importance of Operation Restoration in facilitating women’s and girls’ reentry into the community after incarceration.

WHO:                 Operation Restoration

WHAT:               Grand Opening of new space

WHEN:               Wednesday, February 12; reception 5–5:30 p.m., program 5:30–6:15 p.m.

WHERE:            Benson Tower, 1450 Poydras Street, Ste. 2260, New Orleans, LA

WHY:                 Expansion of space for staff and program

About Operation Restoration: The mission of Operation Restoration is to support women and girls impacted by incarceration to recognize their full potential, restore their lives and discover new possibilities. Additional information about the programs and services offered by Operation Restoration are available at www.or-nola.org

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