Operation Restoration Receives $2 Million from MacKenzie Scott

Written By Alicia Vial

New Orleans nonprofit named Yield Giving awardee

NEW ORLEANS, LA —Operation Restoration (OR) is one of 361 small nonprofits that billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott announced as recipients of $640 million. The New Orleans-based nonprofit received a $2 million dollar gift in response to a competitive Yield Giving Open Call that initially received more than 6,300 applications.

The award comes at the end of a rigorous year-long process during which Operation Restoration’s programs and services underwent extensive peer and expert evaluations through Lever for Change, the nonprofit organization managing the process. Operation Restoration only applied for $1 million, but based on the rating received from their peers, evaluators recommended a larger dollar amount.

Founded in 2016 by Syrita Steib, Operation Restoration is one of New Orleans’ leading nonprofits and a national leader in the legal justice movement advocating for formerly incarcerated people, specifically for legal system-impacted women and girls. The organization offers more than 20 programs and services that provide education opportunities, transitional housing, advocacy, clothing, social services and direct assistance to clients.

“We are thrilled to receive this gift, which is the largest to date for Operation Restoration,” says Steib, President & CEO of the organization. “This gives us an opportunity to not only expand our efforts and the impact that we have on the lives of women and girls after incarceration, but it also gives us the ability to focus on our sustainability efforts for years to come.”

“Receiving this prestigious award reflects the dedication and hard work of everyone involved with Operation Restoration, as well as our efforts to address the often overlooked needs and challenges faced by these women and girls,” she adds.

Among Operation Restoration’s offerings is the College-in-Prison program in partnership with Tulane University’s School of Professional Development that allows women at Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women (LCIW) to earn a bachelor’s degree in social sciences.

Launched in March 2023, the Yield Giving Open Call focuses on elevating organizations working with people and in places experiencing the greatest need in the US—communities, families and individuals with the fewest foundational resources and opportunities.

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About Operation Restoration

Operation Restoration (OR) supports women and girls impacted by incarceration to recognize their full potential, restore their lives and discover new possibilities. The New Orleans-based nonprofit organization focuses on advocacy, education, economic mobility and true economic equity for staff, clients and the community. Our goal is to remove financial incentives for incarceration/detention and to increase investments in social services, education, and healthcare for all people.

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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