BUILDING LIVES
SERVING NEW ORLEANS SINCE 2011
Growing up without a father is a challenge facing thousands of boys in our city. Unfortunately, for all too many of them, the challenge will prove overwhelming.
Son of a Saint exists to provide mentorship, education, recreation, camaraderie, cultural enrichment, and emotional support to our mentees.
We are helping to fill the void for hundreds of fatherless young men in New Orleans.
CONTACT US
2803 St. Philip St. | New Orleans, LA 70119
hello@sonofasaint.org | 504.561.7508
A HOLISTIC APPROACH
While mentorship is the cornerstone of our mission, Son of a Saint’s ultimate goal is to equip our boys with the tools they need to become productive men. Our mentors, staff, facilities, and extensive programming provides the secure and consistent environment they need.
PROGRAMS
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MENTORSHIP
Through dedicated and caring mentors, these boys receive invaluable support, mentorship, and life skills development, fostering personal growth and resilience.
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MENTAL HEALTH
We offer access to licensed counselors, therapy sessions, and workshops, these boys receive vital tools to navigate the complexities of their lives and overcome emotional challenges.
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EDUCATION
Through personalized tutoring, homework assistance, and educational resources, they provide tailored guidance to help these boys excel in their studies.
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LIFE SKILLS
Mentees acquire essential life skills such as financial literacy, communication, leadership, and decision-making.
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TRAVEL
Immersive experiences not only foster personal growth but also promote a deeper appreciation for the world helping to shape well-rounded and culturally aware individuals.
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CASE WORK
With ongoing guidance, advocacy, and access to essential resources, our Case Team empowers our boys to to overcome challenges and thrive in all aspects of their lives.
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RECREATION
We explore a variety of sports, outdoor activities, and creative outlets, so mentees have the opportunity to build lasting friendships, develop leadership skills, and gain confidence in their abilities.
JOIN OUR COMMUNITY
JOIN OUR COMMUNITY
MENTEES
Son of a Saint accepts young men who have reached age 10 - 12 during the timeframe of the application cycle or at the time of joining the organization. We accept young men who have lost a father due to death; long-term incarceration of 15 years or more, that can be verified; adoption by a single mother; or a young man whose father has been deported.
MENTORS
Make a difference in a young boy's life – become a mentor at Son of a Saint! Your time and support can inspire positive change. Apply to be a mentor today and be a guiding light for a brighter future.
VOLUNTEER
Volunteering with Son of a Saint is a rewarding way to make a difference for our boys and our city. We depend on volunteers for a variety of functions critical to the operational success of the organization.
MAKE AN IMPACT
MAKE AN IMPACT
HELP US GROW
INVEST IN THE FUTURE OF NEW ORLEANS
The need for Son of a Saint and its services throughout the Greater New Orleans community is great. Help us fulfill that need through volunteering, becoming a mentor, or donating resources.
TESTIMONIALS
Nicole Dunbar
MOM OF MENTEES ZANDER AND KYZER
“When I think about Zander and Kyzer’s growth and success, it’s the Son of a Saint organization that has made significant contributions to their accomplishments and to our lives. This certainly includes the life of my 75-year-old mother, Verga Fortenberry, who is a transportation driver for the organization. Her life is filled with joy every opportunity she gets to interact with the mentees and staff.
As a single mother left to raise my two sons after the tragic loss of their father, I was not sure of what the future would hold for my family. However, that changed after watching an interview on the news featuring Mr. Sonny sharing his personal story and vision of helping fatherless boys. The trajectory for both of my sons’ lives is much clearer now. My family and I are truly grateful for all the beautiful memories we’ve shared and the creation of these lifelong relationships.”
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Jeromy Porter
2023 MENTOR OF THE YEAR
“I've learned that mentoring isn't always about giving the best advice or sharing every bit of knowledge. Sometimes you just need to be present and have an ear to listen. I really enjoy supporting my mentees at their games and being there when they want to talk. It's amazing how much a mentor's presence can affect a young man throughout his life. “
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Karon Scott
2022 MENTEE OF THE YEAR
“When I first came to Son of a Saint, I wasn’t sure how I would like it and wasn’t open minded about the experience. After warming up to it, my experience at Son of a Saint has become one of the best things I’ve been a part of, and this brotherhood and support system of people helping me has been incredibly valuable. Over the past year, I’ve been able to make connections with my peers and the staff.”
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Tyler Mott
2022 MENTOR OF THE YEAR
“Serving as a mentor at Son of a Saint has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I’ve had the privilege of helping boys navigate some of the challenges and opportunities they face growing up without a father in New Orleans, and it has been incredibly fulfilling to watch them grow and develop into young men over the past six years.”
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Toya Avery
MOM TO MENTEE MADDEN
“There aren’t enough words to express my sincere gratitude for the impact Son of a Saint has had on my son Madden and his development. From the interview process, to orientation, to the ongoing programming in place to nurture his success, the whole team has been deliberate in embodying the Son of a Saint mission statement. ”
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Paula Peer
AIA, PRINCIPAL, TRAPOLIN-PEER ARCHITECTS
“It is a privilege to collaborate with visionary organizations that are truly making an impact in the community. Everything Son of a Saint does is in service to their mission to enrich the lives of fatherless boys —the intention and passion are inspiring. Most of our community projects have a focus on supporting youth empowerment and the SOAS vision aligned perfectly.”
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Jerrel Thomas
PRESIDENT, WINDOW WORLD
“The opportunity to be a part of an organization that is Intentional about changing kids’ lives while never sacrificing their values made it a clear choice to support Son of a Saint. Son of a Saint’s impact on the community will have a long-term effect and change the trajectory of these kids’ lives and generations to come.”
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Jason Mercadel
2023 MENTEE OF THE YEAR
My experience in Son of a Saint has been amazing. When I first joined the program I wasn’t really intrigued with participating. But as the program began to open doors for me, and my family started consistently encouraging me to be active, I’ve grown to love it. Son of a Saint has supported me in many ways, giving me a second family and a group of people I can depend on.”
SOAS UPDATES
SOAS UPDATES
A NIGHT IN NEW YORK
OUR STORY IS IN EVERY CITY
Son of a Saint proudly hosted a first-of-its-kind fundraiser, called “A Night in New York,” on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. Presented by lead sponsors Stonepeak and Old City Investment Partners, the sold-out signature fundraiser generated crucial financial and relationship-based support for Son of a Saint’s impactful initiatives.
IN THE NEWS
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WDSU NBC-TV
www.wdsu.com
Michael Dorrell, Chairman, CEO, and Co-Founder of the New York based investment firm Stonepeak, made his first visit to New Orleans an unforgettable one!
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STAND TOGETHER
www.standtogether.org
Son of a Saint is supported by Stand Together Foundation, which partners with the nation’s most transformative nonprofits to break the cycle of poverty.
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MY NEW ORLEANS
www.neworleans.com
Get ready for our 2024 Annual Gala with a recap of last year’s transformative evening of philanthropy. Stay tuned for more details coming soon!
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MY NEW ORLEANS
www.myneworleans.org
Take a deeper dive into our first out-of-state fundraiser which was a major success and marked a new milestone for the reach and influence of Son of a Saint.
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SCRIPPS NEWS
www.scrippsnews.com
Sonny discusses the importance of mentorship and father figures in the lives of adolescent males, as well as the mission, vision, and dedicated work of Son of a Saint as a featured guest on the June 11, 2024 broadcast of Scripps News Live.
FOLLOW US @SONOFASAINTORG
FOLLOW US @SONOFASAINTORG
