Founded in 2016, Operation Restoration initially began with two focuses: education and direct services, including providing things like clothing and hygiene items. Since then, it has grown to 15 programs and has 17 full-time employees, all of whom are formerly incarcerated women.
Operation Restoration receives both public and private funding. Its philanthropic funders include the Kresge Foundation, United Way of Southeast Louisiana, the Coalition for Public Safety, Grantmakers for Girls of Color, the Lumina Foundation and the National Bail Fund Network. Initial funding from Kresge came in the form of a multiyear general operating support grant of $300,000. With the onset of the pandemic, Kresge decided to continue that support. To date, Kresge’s investment in Operation Restoration totals just over $425,000.
