BeREAL
BeREAL (Ready Educated Accomplished Leaders) is a program for Louisiana's foster youth in transition, a project of Lutheran Social Services and the Louisiana Dept. of Children and Family Services.
Why BeREAL?
Of the 1,700 teens in Louisiana’s foster care system:
- Only half will graduate from high school.
- One in four will be incarcerated within the first two years after they leave the system.
- Over one-fifth will become homeless at some time after age 18.
- Less than three percent earn their college degrees, compared with 28 percent of the general population.
A REAL Need
BeREAL provides transition services for youth ages 13-25 aging out of Louisiana’s foster care system, to help them succeed as they make the transition to college and the next chapters of their lives. Historically and statistically, these youth face a bleak future without support, life skills, and permanent connections. BeREAL was created to bridge this gap.
A REAL Opportunity
Teens in foster care in Louisiana can apply for the BeREAL program. Once accepted, each youth will develop a plan and work to achieve specific education and career goals.
Become a Sponsor or Volunteer
 You can make a REAL difference in the lives of BeREAL youth and help them achieve their dreams by sponsoring and/or mentoring. Financial contributions cover needs and necessitities such as laptops, college fees, books, food or care packages. Mentors and tutors help directly one-on-one and where most needed. Training, support, and mentoring programs are held in the old Bethlehem gym, now a restored BeREAL program facility.
Whether you are able to give money or time, your gift can transform the lives of our youth and level the playing field. With your help, more teens in foster care can experience the hopeful future the BeREAL program offers...the future they deserve.
BeREAL's History
The origin of BeREAL in New Orleans dates back to 1881 and the former Bethlehem Children’s Center, a licensed, nonprofit therapeutic residential treatment facility operated by the agency that became Lutheran Social Services of the South (LSS). Although Bethlehem Children’s Center was a casualty of Hurricane Katrina, LSS decided the location was an ideal setting for the BeREAL program. Today, training, support, and mentoring programs are held in the old Bethlehem gym, now a restored BeREAL program facility with offices and meeting space.
How can you make a REAL difference in the lives of BeReal youth? What can you do NOW to help them achieve their dreams?
You Can Volunteer:
- BeREAL Mentor – Direct involvement and a long-term commitment with one youth at a time. Model a high standard through education, career, and/or social mentoring. Specialize in any of these three areas, and we’ll provide you with training and a coach.
- BeREAL Gap Team – A shorter-term option, you would fill certain “gaps” by tutoring and helping with college applications and other forms. A great way for volunteers to get their feet wet!
- BeREAL Program Volunteer – Help where needed with clerical duties, yard work, providing snacks and drinks. We promise to put your talents to good use.
- BeREAL Sponsor – If you can give money rather than time, we need your help providing financial aid for service and equipment. Your contribution will help pay for the necessities of daily life for our youth: books, food, laptops, college fees.
- The list goes on…
For additional info or to volunteer: Contact Christie Kieschnick at BeREAL: christie.kieschnick@lsss.org; 504.931.3408
Your gifts of time, money–or yourself–are truly appreciated!
Become a BeREAL Volunteer!
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