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inspiredup!

Get Inspired with InspiredUp!
Helping you kickstart your small business

THE INITIATIVE​

Become a Confident Student & Entrepreneur

InspiredUp is all about supporting teens who are navigating challenges in and out of school. This program gives youth the skills, support, and encouragement to rock it in school and beyond. Are you interested in starting your own business or improving your technology skills?

Tracks to Success

Entrepreneurship Track: Turn your ideas into reality! Learn essential skills, get start-up funding, and launch your business venture.

IT Track: Dive into the world of tech, get industry-recognized certifications, and prepare for a rewarding career in IT.

Entrepreneurship Track

September 11 – December 2026

The InspiredUp Entrepreneurship program equips high school students with the skills, confidence, and support to turn creative ideas into real business concepts. The program now serves sophomores and juniors at our Prosperity Center in Bogalusa who are ready to commit to a hands-on entrepreneurship and leadership experience.

APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
  • Academic Support – preparation for the upcoming school year
  • Team Building – activities that strengthen collaboration and peer connection
  • Leadership Development – confidence-building and personal growth
  • Entrepreneurial Exposure – early introduction to business thinking and innovation

Throughout the school year, participants attend weekly sessions and engage in hands-on learning designed to help them build, test, and refine their business ideas—while also strengthening their academic performance.

Participants will:

  • Build Business Knowledge– learn the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, including market research, branding, pricing, and customer engagement
  • Develop Financial Literacy– strengthen money management skills, including budgeting, saving, credit, and business finances
  • Create a Business Concept– move from idea development to a fully developed business concept by the end of the cohort
  • Receive Academic Support– ongoing academic support to help participants stay on track in school and strengthen core subject areas
  • ACT Preparation– access ACT prep resources and guidance to support college readiness and improve test performance
  • Connect with Mentors– learn from local entrepreneurs, professionals, and business leaders
  • Strengthen Leadership Skills– build confidence in communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and public speaking
  • Give Back Through Service– participate in volunteer opportunities that support community engagement and civic responsibility

The program concludes with a Pop-Up, a real-world marketplace where participants showcase their business concepts, engage with customers, and demonstrate what they have learned throughout the cohort.

InspiredUp requires a strong commitment. Participants are expected to:

  • Attend weekly sessions consistently
  • Actively participate in workshops and activities
  • Complete assignments and business development milestones
  • Participate in summer enrichment programming
  • Engage in volunteer and community service opportunities
  • Take part in the Pop-Up showcase
  • Fridays, September 11 – December 2026
    Fall cohort · up to 10 students
  • 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM
    Lunch served every session
  • UWSELA Prosperity Center
    Bogalusa 432 Avenue U, Bogalusa, LA 70427
  • 100% Free to You
    Up to $4,000 potential investment

IT Track

September 11 – December 2026

Get hands-on tech training and a real, industry-recognized certification that can open doors to a career in IT at our Prosperity Center in Bogalusa. As you complete the program, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with a growing network of 150+ employers — all at no cost to you.

APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
  • Troubleshoot & Fix — Diagnose and repair real computers and real tech problems, hands-on from day one.
  • Networking Know-How — Set up networks and keep systems running smoothly, just like a pro.
  • Help Desk Skills — Build the customer service and people skills every IT career runs on.
  • Real IT Pro Tools — Get hands-on with the same tools working IT pros use every day.
  • A Resume That Gets Noticed — Walk away with a credential and a resume employers recognize.
  • Free Certification A real, industry-recognized Google IT credential, at no cost to you.
  • Employer Opportunities The chance to connect with a growing network of 150+ employers.
  • Hands-On Support Complete your coursework in a supportive learning environment with access to a laptop, technology, and an on-site facilitator to help you work through questions and challenges.
  • Help Desk Technician
  • IT Support Specialist
  • Network Technician
  • Systems Administrator
  • Cybersecurity Analyst
  • Fridays, September 11 – December 2026
    Fall cohort · up to 20 students
  • 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM
    Lunch served every session
  • UWSELA Prosperity Center
    Bogalusa 432 Avenue U, Bogalusa, LA 70427
  • 100% Free to You
    Google Career Certificate, scholarship-funded

Mentors

Get hooked up with mentors and pros who got your back, all in for your success!

Impact Your Community

Use what you’ve got to spread good vibes and make a difference right where you are!

Personal Growth

It’s time to find what makes you shine, boost that confidence, and unleash all your awesome power!

Bogalusa Fall 2026 Timeline

Apply

Who Should Apply?

InspiredUp is designed for high school sophomores and juniors who are interested in entrepreneurship, leadership, financial literacy, and community impact.

Before you begin

Please take a moment to read through the entire application so you know what information will be required. Be sure to answer each question thoughtfully and completely. Some responses may require a bit more detail, so we encourage you to take your time. You may find it helpful to gather any needed information in advance and review your answers before submitting.

InspiredUp!
Bogalusa Application

Student Information

Tell us about yourself so we can get to know who you are and where you’re currently in your academic journey.
Name

Parent/Guardian Information

We’ll use this information to stay connected and share important updates about the program.
Parent/Guardian Name

Program Interest & Motivation

We want to understand what inspired you to apply and what draws you to this opportunity.

Program Track Selection

Choose the pathway that best matches your interests and future goals.

Experience & Background

Share any experience you have—formal or informal—so we can better understand your starting point.

Academic Support & Educational Goals

Help us understand what support you need and what you’re working toward academically.
What academic supports or educational resources do you currently need to help you succeed and reach your educational goals? (Please select all that apply and provide details below.)

Goals & Future Aspirations

Tell us about the future you’re working toward and the career path you hope to pursue.

Activities, Service & Community Involvement

We’re interested in how you engage with your school, community, or activities outside the classroom.

Personal Strengths & Challenges

This helps us understand your resilience, mindset, and the strengths you bring to the program.

Additional Information

Use this space to share anything else you’d like us to know about you.

Signatures

Sign below to confirm that the information provided is accurate and complete.
Clear Signature
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OUR PROGRAMS

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Helena Moreno

Campaign Email:  letsgo@helenamorenola.com
Contact Phone Number:  (504) 655-2878


Campaign Website and Social Media Handles
www.helenamorenola.com
@HelenamorenoHQ  |  @helenamorenola

Commitment: If elected, would you dedicate additional funding in the City budget for early care and education?

Yes.

If so, how would you prioritize it in the budget?

Both in the state legislature and city council, I’ve been a strong supporter of bringing early childhood education to New Orleans. In 2018, we allocated the first $1.5M in city funds for additional seats. As Council President, we doubled that to $3M. I was the lead author to put the pre-k millage on the ballot, providing millions more. I will continue this work as mayor. As for additional funding for pre-k, is there anything more important? We have demonstrated to the public that local government can make progress on this issue with increased resources. There are competing priorities, especially when it comes to drainage, but our kids desperately need pre-k, and so do our parents, who are under pressure to be both caregiver and financial provider.

Commitment:  If elected, will you use your power and platform to advocate at the state and federal levels for sustained early childhood funding? If yes, please describe the specific actions you will take to do this.

Yes.

Every leader at the local, state, and federal levels should be working together to provide high-quality early childhood education to our young people. I will always shout from the rooftops about the enormous benefits of Head Start and pre-k, along with Medicaid, SNAP, public housing, and kids’ programming on PBS. As mayor, I will lead a broad intergovernmental relations effort with constant coordination between city leadership, the legislative delegation, and advocates. I don’t think anyone is listening, for now, but that can change. More broadly, this is why the mayoral election is so important. New Orleans needs to stand on its own two feet. No one is coming to rescue us, so we must be strong in the face of unprecedented economic, environmental, and political headwinds.

Commitment: If elected, will you commit to ensuring our early care and education providers can keep their doors open, grow their business, pay a living wage to their teachers, and help ensure families and educators can continue to afford to live in the city? If yes, please describe the specific actions you will take to do this.

Yes.

Child care providers will have a strong supporter in the mayor’s office when I am elected. Our city hall will serve as a hub, connecting needs and resources, with a focus on streamlining red tape for critical service providers, such as those offering child care. It is not enough to have more early childhood seats; we need quality. Even at current levels of local and state funding, pre-K early education programs exist in an environment where low wages are the norm and facilities are often in disrepair. The current climate at the state and federal levels may preclude additional funds. Yet, at the local level, as I mentioned earlier, is there anything more important than pre-k? We have demonstrated to the public that local government can make progress on this issue with increased resources.

Commitment: If elected, would you commit to ensuring essential local workers – including those in city government – can access childcare through local providers, and that private sector employers do their part in ensuring their employees can access the childcare they need to work, be productive, and grow our economy? If yes, please elaborate on how you would fulfill this commitment.

Yes.

I will always advocate amongst employers and at the state level for a real-living wage that can provide for a family. In workplaces across New Orleans and at city hall, I see parents working double time, struggling to keep up due to a lack of child care. Part of the answer is more public school seats for children aged 6 months to 4 years old. For older kids, I want NORD to do more. A lot more. I have been a leader in expanding NORD’s budget to record highs. Now the goal is to maximize services during non-school hours. Summer enrichment is especially crucial to prevent any backslide. In short, I want to usher in a NORD Renaissance, especially after school. This would go a long way, especially for working parents who need a few more critical hours of support before they can leave work.

Commitment: If elected, will you commit to maintaining this office and protecting these investments?

Yes.

How will you ensure these efforts are sustained beyond your term and are prioritized in future budgets?

Yes. I helped lead the effort for early childhood education with Agenda for Children, and I will commit to maintaining and protecting these early childhood investments. They were hard won, and we cannot lose them. If anything, we need an expansion, which will be the key subject of future budgets, which must balance ALL the city’s needs. The bottom line: we must support families, or else they will simply leave, and New Orleans will not have a future.