Operation Restoration Celebrates Seventh Cohort of Lab Assistant Program Graduates

New Orleans —A dozen women impacted by incarceration have achieved something many thought nearly impossible eight weeks ago. That's when they began an intensive Lab Assistant Rapid Reskilling Program to train as certified medical laboratory assistants. After completing the program, the students receive certificates in a graduation ceremony on Friday, May 10, noon–2 p.m.

This marks the seventh cohort of the program. Receiving certification can be life changing for women impacted by incarceration. The innovative program is also a dream come true for Syrita Steib, founder of Operation Restoration, who envisioned it more than a decade ago on the first day of her own job in a clinical laboratory.

Steib developed the lab assistant training program as part of a fellowship with 500 Women Scientists. Steib, a licensed and certified clinical laboratory scientist, and Operation Restoration are also founding partners in the national STEM-OPS network that promotes science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning opportunities for people in prisons.

WHO:            Graduates of Operation Restoration’s Lab Assistant Rapid Reskilling Program

WHAT:           Graduation Ceremony

WHEN:           Friday, May 10, noon–2 p.m.

WHERE:         9301 Lake Forest Blvd, Ste. 116, New Orleans East

WHY:              Commemorating the completion of eight-week program

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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 is available at www.or-nola.org