OLE & NU FELLAS SOCIAL AID AND PLEASURE CLUB

Sponsor: Rick Weil
Contact ONFS through project sponsor: fdweil@gmail.com

Mission: Founded in 1997 by Sue Press and her family, the Ole & Nu Style Fellas is a traditional New Orleans Social Aid and Pleasure Club (SAPC) located in the Treme neighborhood, the oldest African American neighborhood in the city. Sue formed the club to mentor the children of the neighborhood and provide them with encouragement and opportunities and to keep them safe, and to promote the well-being of the neighborhood. New Orleans SAPCs date back to at least the late 19th century and are credited with inventing jazz music. They put on a second-line parade with a brass band through local neighborhoods once a year, and Sue's club also puts on an annual formal ball with debutante presentations, annual winter coat and back-to-school backpack giveaways, voter registration drives, among other community activities. Sue's son, Tyrone ("Trouble"), a grade-school math teacher and football coach, is recognized city-wide as creating the best outfits and decorations in New Orleans' competitive second-line culture.

Impact Model:

CONTEXT

Mentors at-risk youth in New Orleans in the context of a lack of opportunities and high crime

TARGET

Kids from low-income households in the Treme neighborhood of New Orleans

RESPONSE

Provides club membership and mentoring to local kids

OUTCOME

In 25 years, ONSF has mentored dozens of kids and helped hundreds more. ONSF is a fixture of New Orleans deep culture and are beloved in their neighborhood and beyond

VISION

Enable kids to lead positive, productive, self-reliant lives, and improve the Treme neighborhood