Workforce Development:

Coach with Purpose

Workforce development efforts at The 18th Ward aim to empower young people with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities they need to succeed in the workforce so they may live a lifetime full of choice.

Efforts to improve workforce development in New Orleans also address systemic barriers that disproportionately affect marginalized youth, such as poverty, lack of access to transportation, and inadequate education. Our programs offer support services to help overcome these barriers. At The 18th Ward our coaches learn to be professional in the workplace, learn to lead others, and learn to advocate for themselves. Our coaching pathways are broken into three cohorts.

Two women playing basketball in a gym, one dribbling the ball wearing a blue shirt, the other defending wearing a black hoodie.

Coaches in Training

Man in blue sports jersey standing near a football sign in a park with children playing in the background.

Coaching Pathways

A group of children sitting and listening to a person sitting on a stool in an outdoor grassy area.

Career Readiness

Become a Coach

Our coach program is designed to provide leadership and job experience for teenagers and college students. High school students work with veteran coaches to support young athletes ages 3-12, while college students have the opportunity to develop leadership skills, gain coaching experience, and make a positive impact in their community. Well-trained coaches who build strong relationships with kids can make a huge difference, yet less than 20% of youth coaches are trained, less than 3% are under the age of 24, and less than 30% identify as female (Aspen Institute, State of Play). The program offers flexible schedules, training, starting compensation of $15-$25/hour, and access to transportation vouchers, technology, mentors, financial literacy and resume workshops, community service opportunities, and networking.

Need access to technology? Apply here for a Technology Scholarship, thanks to the generosity of the Junior League of New Orleans and No Days Offline.

Workforce Partnerships


Our coaches are the cornerstone of our organization, driving our mission forward with their dedication and expertise. Each fall and spring, we hire new coaches, welcoming them into an environment where they can grow professionally and make a significant impact.

Icon depicting a chat bubble inside an envelope with a phone receiver, symbolizing communication.

How to Become a Partner

Initiate the partnership by reaching out to our team. We are eager to hear from you and discuss how we can collaborate.

Contact Us

Icon of three people with ties below a building and location pin, representing business or corporate location.

We will arrange a visit to your school to introduce our program to your students. This visit allows us to showcase the benefits and opportunities of becoming a coach within our organization.

Site Visit

Network diagram with four user icons connected by lines around a central chat icon.

Following the site visit, we actively reach out to students who express interest in joining our team. We provide them with all the necessary information and support to facilitate their decision-making process.

Student Engagement

Illustration of a handshake with a document and checkmark in the background

The final step is the hiring of selected students. We integrate these enthusiastic individuals into our coaching team, providing them with comprehensive training and ongoing support to ensure their success and growth within our organization.

Hiring