Neighborhoods like Desire are often characterized by severely under performing public schools. Quite often, the high school valedictorian was unable to pass the ACT. Desire Street Ministries learned that to fully transform the neighborhood, we had to address the great educational gap that existed among the neighborhood’s youth.

In 2002 Desire Street Ministries launched Desire Street Academy to transform the Desire community by training students to pursue excellence in academics, athletics, and the arts in a Christian context. Desire Street Academy provides its students with a fresh start in a warm educational environment that emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual growth, consistent classroom management, individual responsibility, appropriate social behavior, and firm but balanced discipline.

Prior to Hurricane Katrina, Desire Street Academy severed 190 at-risk youth from the Desire Street Academy (DSA) was reestablished as a satellite boarding campus at a camp in Florida with 80 students from the Desire neighborhood. Your support is needed to help Desire Street!

A message from Danny Wuerffel

Desire Street Ministries is about revitalizing impoverished communities through spiritual and community development. The ministry started in the Desire neighborhood. God is also opening doors for us to apply what was successful in Desire to similar communities. What a goal!

When I see the changes being made in the lives of Desire Street Academy students, I am driven to press ahead. When I think of New Orleans and the challenges of redevelopment, I get excited to be involved in establishing a healthy community and planting a dynamic church.

Thank you for sharing our passion to accomplish the work God has given us. While we experienced numerous transitions as an organization following Hurricane Katrina, we surviving, we have focus, direction, and staff who are committed to making a difference every day.
Thank you for your prayers and support. Your partnership enables us to make a difference.

Serving with you,

Danny Wuerffel
1996 Heisman Trophy Winner
Principal – Desire Street Academy