On Sept. 23, a handful of New Orleans families were treated to an unforgettable experience, thanks to a Tulane University student-run organization. Strong City, founded in 2015 by alumnus Peter Gold, invited children and families to the Green Wave football game against Nicholls State University for a day filled with free food, photo opportunities and other fun activities.

Strong City’s president Becca Owens said the day had an empowering effect. 

Its goal, she said, was to “provide the children and families we work with with normative experiences they otherwise would not have the opportunity to engage in … we hope that all of our events provide the kids with enriching experiences and lasting memories that break up their daily struggles.”

Strong City aims to eradicate the “cycles of poverty and violence in New Orleans” by partnering with local institutions centered around youth development. This method of outreach has been proven effective by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, whose 2014 report suggests that “youth development programs are a promising tool in the arsenal of programs designed to decrease problem behaviors.” 

Two of Strong City’s most prominent partner organizations are Youth Empowerment Project and the New Orleans Women and Children’s Shelter. Both are active in the local community and engage regularly with disadvantaged communities, especially those enduring the trials of growing up. A 2022 study from the United States Census Bureau states that 23.8% of New Orleans residents are impoverished. The need for outreach programs is clear, and these organizations are at the forefront of the fight against poverty.

Strong City’s strategic partnerships with these veteran organizations bolsters the efforts of those working to uplift the city’s most vulnerable, namely by providing valuable labor and unforgettable experiences for those in suffering. The quality of Strong City’s work is a high priority. An impressive array of events dot the organization’s calendar, ensuring that their volunteers are doing the most to reach the underserved communities of New Orleans. Last spring semester, Strong City partnered with Tulane’s Panhellenic Council and Interfraternity Council to host a spelling bee that raised $3,700. The fundraiser led to the addition of two new rooms at the New Orleans Women and Children’s Shelter.

In November, Strong City plans to put on its annual Thanksgiving food drive. This year’s incarnation of the food drive marks the first time the organization has partnered with Support + Feed and Top Box for the inclusion of fresh produce in their boxes. The organization’s goal is to raise $15,000, a step up from the previous year’s total.Strong City plays host to underprivileged families