United Way fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in every community.

#EveryoneCounts - April 1 is Census Day

We all recognize that these are trying times for our state and our country. While we are working diligently to protect our communities from the threat of COVID-19, we must remember there is another threat lurking. An undercount in the 2020 Census. We have one chance every 10 years to count our population to ensure we have adequate representation in Congress and ensure our fair share of over $675 billion in federal funds . These funds pay for everything from school lunches to roads and bridges along with informing emergency response funds allocated and coastal restoration efforts.  I'm writing to ask that you share this information with your community (friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, everyone!) as far and wide as possible today, April 1st. Your community can complete their census questionnaire online, by phone (844-330-2020), or by mail. It takes about 10 minutes.  Thank you for all you do to keep Louisiana safe and well equipped.

Surveying Impacts of COVID-19 on Child Care Providers

Despite the Louisiana legislative session's current suspension, we are hard at work advocating for children and families! United Way SELA joined with our partners at the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children and Agenda for Children to develop and distribute a survey to better understand how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting child care providers in Southeast Louisiana and ultimately the state. A one-page overview of the initial survey findings can be found here , and a full report is forthcoming. On April 9 at 11 a.m., United Way SELA will participate in a virtual press conference organized by the LPIC to share the results. More information and a link to participate will be shared soon. Early care and education is an essential part of our economy. Once this crisis is over, parents must be able to go back to work - and in order for that to happen, the people who care for their children must still be in business . That’s why we joined our partners at the Ready Louisiana coalition in sending letters urging Louisiana’s federal delegation and all members of Congress to act swiftly to allocate substantial emergency funding for early care and education.

COVID-19 Volunteer Opportunities

The United Way HandsOn  Entergy Volunteer Center  is recruiting volunteers for opportunities related to COVID-19, including phone call check-ins (completed from the volunteer’s home) and meal delivery to vulnerable residents.  Safety is our top priority, and necessary precautions will be taken to protect volunteers.  We understand that many households are juggling extra responsibilities with remote work and caring for children and cannot volunteer at this time.  If your situation allows and you are interested, visit  UnitedWaySELA.org/Volunteer . You will be directed to the HandsOn New Orleans portal where you can browse current volunteer needs. If you do sign up, please  send me an email  so I can say thank you! And if you'd like to share a story on why you volunteer or a special experience you have, please do so  here . Thank you for all that you do to support our community. Together, United, we will stand strong through this storm.

Kim Sport Public Policy Committee Chair United Way of Southeast Louisiana

Charmaine Caccioppi Executive Vice President & COO United Way of Southeast Louisiana

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