Tulanians are involved in many areas of community engagement in the metropolitan New Orleans area. Check out all the opportunities, and connect with a Tulanian to learn more and get involved.
Family Support Services/Health/Disability
- TulaneAffiliate/Department: Kathryn Lafrentz / Advancement, Office of Gift Planning
- Description: Disability Rights Louisiana (DRLA) is a nonprofit organization that protects and advocates for the human and legal rights of people with disabilities across Louisiana. The organization works to empower individuals to live integrated lives free from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
- Website: disabilityrightsla.org/
- Focus Area(s): Health, Education, Family Support Services, Disability Rights
- Engagement Type: Volunteer support (in-person or remote); Board membership; Consultant opportunities; Pro bono legal services
- Location: 8325 Oak Street, New Orleans, LA 70118
- Interested in learning more? Contact Tulane Affiliate: klafrentz@tulane.edu
- Tulane Affiliate/Department: Rachel Weiss / Office of the President
- Description: CASA Jefferson advocates for children in foster care, ensuring they have a voice and a path to stability.
- Website: casajefferson.org/
- Focus Area: Family Support Services
- Engagement Type: Volunteer support (in-person or remote)
- Location: 401 Whitney Ave, Suite 104, Gretna, LA 70056
- Interested in learning more? Contact Tulane Affiliate: rweiss5@tulane.edu
- Tulane Affiliate/Department: Kasia Plessy / Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
- Description: A New Orleans-based nonprofit focused on disrupting cycles of community violence and trauma through family-centered support. Provides essential resources, mental health programming, and community engagement opportunities. Programs include Building Functional Families and annual events supporting children and caregivers.
- Website: loveyourneighbornola.com or facebook.com/loveyourneighborNOLA
- Focus Area: Family Support Services
- Engagement Type: Volunteer support (in-person or remote)
- Location: 5630 Crowder Blvd, Suite 101, New Orleans, LA 70127
- Interested in learning more? Contact Tulane Affiliate: kplessy@tulane.edu
Raphael Village / Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans
- Tulane Affiliate/Department: Cathy Lazarus / Medicine
- Description: Raphael Village is a nonprofit organization that supports differently-abled individuals in becoming fully engaged in life and community, inspired by Rudolf Steiner’s philosophies of curative and Waldorf education. It is the first and only Affiliate Member of the Camphill Association of North America in the southeastern United States. Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans (JFS) is a social service agency dedicated to preserving, strengthening, and enhancing the well-being and self-sufficiency of individuals and families of all faiths. Services include accessible mental health care, case management, teen suicide prevention, and specialized support for the Jewish community.
- Website: raphaelvillage.org/ or jfsneworleans.org/
- Focus Area: Family Support Services
- Engagement Type: Volunteer support (in-person or remote)
- Location: Raphael Village – 530 Jackson Ave., New Orleans, LA 70130; Jewish Family Service – 3300 W. Esplanade Ave. S., Suite 603, Metairie, LA 70002
- Tulane Affiliate/Department: Deidre Hayes / School of Social Work
- Description: Covenant House New Orleans is a youth shelter serving individuals ages 16–22 and is the only shelter of its kind in a three-state region. The organization provides meals, housing, case management, counseling, and medical care to support unhoused youth.
- Website: covenanthousenola.org
- Focus Area: Health, Education, Youth Programming, Family Support Services, Housing
- Engagement Type: Volunteer support (in-person or remote); Mentorship; Board membership; Donation drive organizer
- Location: 611 N. Rampart Street, New Orleans, LA 70119
- Interested in learning more? Contact Tulane Affiliate: dhayes@tulane.edu
- Additional Note: Hosts an annual “Sleep Out” event in solidarity with unhoused youth (held the Thursday before Thanksgiving).
Food Access & Security/Environmental/Disaster Preparedness & Response
The Community Lighthouse at Bethlehem Lutheran Church
- Tulane Affiliate/Department: Joshua Blount / Center for Engaged Learning and Teaching
- Description: A disaster-response community hub in Central City that provides power, connectivity, and critical resources during emergencies. Part of a partnership with Together New Orleans. Focuses on mutual aid and community resilience.
- Website: /bethlehemlutheranneworleans.org/ or togethernola.org/community-lighthouse
- Focus Areas: Food Access/Security, Environmental Sustainability, Disaster Preparedness/Response
- Engagement Type: Volunteer support (in-person or remote)
- Location: 1823 Washington Ave, New Orleans, LA 70113
- Interested in learning more? Contact Tulane Affiliate: jblount1@tulane.edu
- Additional Notes: Volunteers support before, during, and after emergencies; no specialized experience required
- Tulane Affiliate/Department: Marko Salvaggio / School of Professional Advancement – Social Sciences
- Description: Operation Restoration supports women and girls impacted by incarceration to recognize their full potential, restore their lives, and discover new possibilities through education, advocacy, and community support.
- Website: or-nola.org/
- Focus Area: Health, Education, Arts & Culture, Youth Programming, Family Support Services
- Engagement Type: Volunteer support (in-person or remote)
- Location: 1515 Poydras Street, Suite 2400, New Orleans, LA 70112
- Interested in learning more? Contact Tulane Affiliate: msalvag@tulane.edu
- Additional Note: Tulane SoPA partners with Operation Restoration to support a college-in-prison program at the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women.
Teaching Responsible Earth Education (T.R.E.E.)
- Tulane Affiliate/Department: Cathy Lazarus / Medicine
- Description: T.R.E.E. is a nonprofit dedicated to educating children and adults about life science processes, inspiring appreciation for the natural world, and motivating environmental stewardship.
- Website: treetalk.org/
- Focus Area: Environmental Sustainability
- Engagement Type: Volunteer support (in-person or remote)
- Location: 4714 Earhart Blvd, Suite D, New Orleans, LA 70125
- Interested in learning more? Contact Tulane Affiliate: clazaru@tulane.edu
Youth Programming/Education
Children and Youth Planning Board (CYPB)
- Tulane Affiliate/Department: Jemiyah Suggs / Student Retention & Success
- Description: The Children and Youth Planning Board (CYPB) brings together youth leaders, community members, and stakeholders to improve outcomes for children and youth in Orleans Parish through advocacy, planning, and community engagement. The organization supports youth leadership through initiatives such as town halls, national representation, and local engagement efforts.
- Website: nolacypb.org
- Focus Area: Youth Programming, Community Engagement
- Engagement Type: Volunteer support (in-person or remote); Mentorship; Board membership
- Location: 1631 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70113
- Interested in learning more? Contact Tulane Affiliate: jsuggs@tulane.edu
- Tulane Affiliate/Department: Angela Ramirez / Spanish and Portuguese Department
- Description: Puentes supports Latine youth in the New Orleans area through access to education and leadership development opportunities.
- Website: puentesneworleans.org
- Focus Area: Education, Youth Programming
- Engagement Type: Volunteer support (in-person or remote); Mentorship; Board membership; Donation drive organizer
- Location: 3014 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70117
- Interested in learning more? Contact Tulane Affiliate: aramirez@tulane.edu
- Tulane Affiliate/Department: Amy Chaffee / Department of Theatre and Dance
- Description: McKinley Studios is a creative hub that empowers communities through strategic communications, collaboration, and content creation. The organization builds on Larry McKinley’s legacy by supporting creatives, community leaders, and workforce development through media and storytelling.
- Website: friendlymckinley.com
- Focus Area: Arts & Culture, Youth Programming
- Engagement Type: Volunteer support (in-person or remote); Mentorship; Consultant opportunities
- Location: 1639 Gentilly Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70119
- Interested in learning more? Contact Tulane Affiliate: achaffee@tulane.edu
- Tulane Affiliate/Department: Deidre Hayes / School of Social Work
- Description: Covenant House New Orleans is a youth shelter serving individuals ages 16–22 and is the only shelter of its kind in a three-state region. The organization provides meals, housing, case management, counseling, and medical care to support unhoused youth.
- Website: covenanthousenola.org
- Focus Area: Health, Education, Youth Programming, Family Support Services, Housing
- Engagement Type: Volunteer support (in-person or remote); Mentorship; Board membership; Donation drive organizer
- Location: 611 N. Rampart Street, New Orleans, LA 70119
- Interested in learning more? Contact Tulane Affiliate: dhayes@tulane.edu
- Additional Note: Hosts an annual “Sleep Out” event in solidarity with unhoused youth (held the Thursday before Thanksgiving).
- Tulane Affiliate/Department: Marko Salvaggio / School of Professional Advancement – Social Sciences
- Description: Operation Restoration supports women and girls impacted by incarceration to recognize their full potential, restore their lives, and discover new possibilities through education, advocacy, and community support.
- Website: or-nola.org/
- Focus Area: Health, Education, Arts & Culture, Youth Programming, Family Support Services
- Engagement Type: Volunteer support (in-person or remote)
- Location: 1515 Poydras Street, Suite 2400, New Orleans, LA 70112
- Interested in learning more? Contact Tulane Affiliate: msalvag@tulane.edu
- Additional Note: Tulane SoPA partners with Operation Restoration to support a college-in-prison program at the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women.
Additional Youth/Programming/Advocacy opportunities
- Son of A Saint - Son of a Saint’s mission is to transform the lives of fatherless boys through consistent mentorship, holistic care, and a community that believes in their potential.
LGBTQ+
- Tulane Affiliate/Department: Nick Poché / Center on Climate Change and Urbanism, School of Architecture and Built Environment
- Description: Forum for Equality advocates for LGBTQ+ rights through policy change, grassroots organizing, and public education at the local, state, and federal levels.
- Website: forumforequality.org/
- Focus Area: LGBTQ+ Advocacy
- Engagement Type: Board membership; Young adult participation opportunities
- Location: Mailing address – 6221 S. Claiborne Ave., Suite 568, New Orleans, LA 70125
- Interested in learning more? Contact: nick@forumforequality.org
Arts & Culture
- Tulane Affiliate/Department: Jemiyah Suggs / Student Retention & Success
- Description: Trinity City Arts engages Louisianans of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities in social change through storytelling and creative expression. The organization commissions artists across multiple media to create work that reflects and shapes the past, present, and future of communities.
- Website: trinitycitycomics.org/who-we-are
- Focus Area: Arts & Culture, Community Engagement
- Engagement Type: Volunteer support (in-person or remote); Mentorship; Board membership
- Location: New Orleans, LA
- Interested in learning more? Contact Tulane Affiliate: jsuggs@tulane.edu
- Tulane Affiliate/Department: Melissa Weber / Tulane University Special Collections
- Description: WWOZ is a listener-supported, volunteer-programmed community radio station dedicated to preserving and promoting New Orleans culture and musical heritage. The station broadcasts live events locally and nationally, including the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.
- Website: wwoz.org
- Focus Area: Arts & Culture, Media
- Engagement Type: Volunteer support (in-person or remote)
- Location: 600 Decatur St (inside Jax Brewery), Suite 500, New Orleans, LA 70130
- Interested in learning more?Contact: volunteers@wwoz.org or https://wwoz.org/wwoz-volunteers
- Additional Note: Tulane affiliate is not the primary contact; has over 30 years of volunteer experience with WWOZ.
- Tulane Affiliate/Department: Amy Chaffee / Department of Theatre and Dance
- Description: McKinley Studios is a creative hub that empowers communities through strategic communications, collaboration, and content creation. The organization builds on Larry McKinley’s legacy by supporting creatives, community leaders, and workforce development through media and storytelling.
- Website: friendlymckinley.com
- Focus Area: Arts & Culture, Youth Programming
- Engagement Type: Volunteer support (in-person or remote); Mentorship; Consultant opportunities
- Location: 1639 Gentilly Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70119
- Interested in learning more? Contact Tulane Affiliate: achaffee@tulane.edu
Community Engagement
Children and Youth Planning Board (CYPB)
- Tulane Affiliate/Department: Jemiyah Suggs / Student Retention & Success
- Description: The Children and Youth Planning Board (CYPB) brings together youth leaders, community members, and stakeholders to improve outcomes for children and youth in Orleans Parish through advocacy, planning, and community engagement. The organization supports youth leadership through initiatives such as town halls, national representation, and local engagement efforts.
- Website: nolacypb.org
- Focus Area: Youth Programming, Community Engagement
- Engagement Type: Volunteer support (in-person or remote); Mentorship; Board membership
- Location: 1631 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70113
- Interested in learning more? Contact Tulane Affiliate: jsuggs@tulane.edu
- Tulane Affiliate/Department: Jemiyah Suggs / Student Retention & Success
- Description: Trinity City Arts engages Louisianans of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities in social change through storytelling and creative expression. The organization commissions artists across multiple media to create work that reflects and shapes the past, present, and future of communities.
- Website: trinitycitycomics.org/who-we-are
- Focus Area: Arts & Culture, Community Engagement
- Engagement Type: Volunteer support (in-person or remote); Mentorship; Board membership
- Location: New Orleans, LA
- Interested in learning more? Contact Tulane Affiliate: jsuggs@tulane.edu
- Tulane Affiliate/Department: Amy Chaffee / Department of Theatre and Dance
- Description: McKinley Studios is a creative hub that empowers communities through strategic communications, collaboration, and content creation. The organization builds on Larry McKinley’s legacy by supporting creatives, community leaders, and workforce development through media and storytelling.
- Website: friendlymckinley.com
- Focus Area: Arts & Culture, Youth Programming
- Engagement Type: Volunteer support (in-person or remote); Mentorship; Consultant opportunities
- Location: 1639 Gentilly Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70119
- Interested in learning more? Contact Tulane Affiliate: achaffee@tulane.edu
Tulane-based Opportunities
These organizations are housed within various programs, offices, and centers across the university.
- Give Pulse Tulane - Explore unique experiences, volunteer opportunities, and communities for social change near New Orleans, LA, USA. Also, check out the broader Give Pulse site.
- Krewe du TU - employee volunteer opportunities - a spirited volunteer program exclusively for Tulane University faculty and staff! You can also earn rewards.
- Tulane Community Service
- Tulane Volunteer Research Registry - connecting our community with research opportunities
- The ReFresh Project - houses nine organizations working to achieve health equity in the surrounding neighborhoods.
- Tulane Drop-In Center - For over 15 years, the Drop-In Center has filled a void in New Orleans by providing both medical and social services for runaway and homeless youth.
- The Goldring Center for Culinary Medicine - the first dedicated teaching kitchen to be implemented at a medical school.
