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Monthly News from United Way of Northeast Louisiana
February 2024 Edition
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Tickets are on sale now for Celebrating Excellence!
Celebrating Excellence is United Way of Northeast Louisiana's annual celebration of generosity and unwavering community spirit, seeking to honor community partners, campaigns, volunteers, and donors.
Tickets are sale on sale from now until Wednesday, February 28. Click the link below to get your tickets today!
Special thanks to our Regional event sponsor, Mid South Extrusion, and our Lincoln, Union, Jackson Parishes event sponsors, Louisiana Tech University and Origin Bank.
| Join us on Wednesday, March 6th from 8:00 - 9:30 a.m. at Bayou Pointe (ULM) in Monroe! | |
We are thrilled to announce
Secretary Ralph Abraham, M.D. as our Guest Speaker
Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health
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Join us on Thursday, March 7th from 8:00 - 9:30 a.m. at Davison Athletics Complex (LA Tech) in Ruston! | |
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We are thrilled to announce
Sarah Berthelot as a Guest Speaker
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President and CEO, Louisiana Association of United Ways
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We are thrilled to announce
Michelle Saucer as a Guest Speaker
| Community Impact Initiatives Director, United Way of Northeast Louisiana | |
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We are thrilled to announce
Mayor Ronny Walker as A Guest Speaker
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Our Tuesday, February 6th Ribbon Cutting and Open House marked a significant milestone as we gathered to celebrate the completion of the United Way of Northeast Louisiana Monroe office renovation.
This transformation embodies our commitment to create a dynamic and inspiring work environment for our team and volunteers, fostering collaboration, productivity, and a continued dedication to serve our community. We look forward to using this newly renovated space as we continue to open our doors to other nonprofits and partners across the region.
Special congratulations to Janet Durden, our President, on the dedication of the 2023 Monroe office renovation in her honor.
Thank you to all who attended and played an integral role in this renovation process! Special thanks to InterMountain Management, Holyfield Construction, Jessie Melson (Volunteer Interior Designer), and our Board of Directors and Finance Committee.
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Join us in honoring an exemplary leader and one of our very own dedicated team members, Michelle Saucer!
On Friday, February 23, Monroe City awarded Michelle with the inaugural Abe Pierce III Leadership Award, named after a trailblazer who dedicated his life to civil services and education. This award recognizes individuals who embody leadership across various community facets, steering us towards a brighter tomorrow.
Michelle has been an outstanding community member, contributing 22 years of dedicated service in the non-profit sector. As the Community Impact Initiatives Director at United Way of Northeast Louisiana and a Manager with West Monroe Charitable Organizations and HAMPCO, she has consistently prioritized the growth and well-being of individuals and communities.
Michelle's work ethic, servant leadership, and commitment to enriching the lives of young people are truly exceptional. She mobilizes and manages over 600 volunteers annually, positively impacting children through programs focused on education, financial stability, and health. Her unwavering belief in providing opportunities for all young people to reach their highest potential, coupled with her active involvement in fostering a fair and kind community, make Michelle Saucer a shining example of an exemplary community member.
Let's celebrate Michelle Saucer for her outstanding contributions and this well-deserved recognition!
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United Way of Northeast Louisiana is providing the following FREE tax assistance based on your individual situation!
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
- Free tax help for individuals with straightforward tax situations
- IRS-certified volunteers to assist with tax preparation
- Focus on accuracy and compliance with tax laws
- Please note, this service may not cover complex situations like self-employment, rental, or certain investment incomes.
MyFreeTaxes
- An online platform for free, self-guided tax filing
- Ideal for users comfortable with digital tools and with simple tax scenarios
- Secure and user-friendly interface
Additional Tax Assistance
- Referrals for more complex tax situations not covered by VITA or MyFreeTaxes
Appointments will be available from February 12 - March 8, 2024.
Schedule your appointment below!
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As always, another free option available to you is 211. Simply dial 211 from your cell phone or landline (available 24/7, 365 days a year) or send a text with your zip code to 898-211 during Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and get connected to available resources in your area. | |
What is The Heirship Project?
The Heirship Project is a project aimed at educating and assisting residents who need help obtaining a clear property title.
What is Heir Property?
Heir property comes about when necessary legal work isn’t done after a property owner dies. Heirs who have a verbal agreement to live on the property, but no legal title could face many obstacles, including selling the property, making repairs on the property, or qualifying for government aid to fix damages to the home.
When is The Heirship Project?
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Date: Thursday, March 7 | 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. | Lunch and Learn for Attorneys Only | Location: United Way NELA - 1201 Hudson Lane, Monroe
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Date: Thursday, March 7 | 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. | Community Workshop | Location: Community Center - 407 S. Main Street, Farmerville
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Date: Thursday, April 4 | 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. | Community Workshop | Location: United Way NELA - 1201 Hudson Lane, Monroe OR Zoom
How do I sign up?
Interested individuals who need assistance obtaining a clear property title for heir property or who want to know more information about heir property may register at the link below. For additional assistance, contact 211. Simply dial 211 from any landline or mobile phone (available 24/7), or text your zip code to 898-211 (available Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm).
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March 21, 2024
United Way of Northeast Louisiana is hosting a BankOn NELA Saving Workshop on Thursday, March 21.
Participants will leave knowing the importance of an emergency fund, short-term and long-term goals, and making their money THEIR money.
The workshop will be held at the Miller Roy Building, located at 1001 Desiard Street from 12 to 1 p.m. There will also be a Zoom option available. Register below!
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Exciting news! An AmeriCorps NCCC team arrived on Tuesday, February 6 to help us with Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)! We're thrilled to have their support as we provide FREE tax assistance to individuals in our community. A few members of our Leadership Team greeted them with an overview of United Way of Northeast Louisiana as well as the work we do across our region.
The AmeriCorps team will be with us from February 12 to March 8, stationed at various locations, including the Financial Health Center (1001 Desiard Street), United Way NELA Monroe office (1201 Hudson Lane), United Way NELA Ruston office (939 N. Trenton Street), Jackson Parish Library (614 S. Polk Avenue), and Madison Parish Library (403 N. Mulberry Street). For more details or to schedule your appointment, click the link below!
Young adults interested in joining AmeriCorps NCCC can learn more and apply below!
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Our AmeriCorps NCCC team joined the community in volunteering on Wednesday, February 7 for our Dollars & $ense fair at the Farmerville Recreation Center. Students from Union Parish High School and D’Arbonne Woods Charter learned how to make better financial decisions and gained knowledge in the areas of budgeting, saving, and spending.
Thank you to all the outstanding volunteers who dedicated their time to help these students make smarter financial decisions in the future!
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It's not too late!
"Love in Action" continues! We're still accepting both in person AND online donations for Christian Community Action (CCA) and Grace Place Ministries.
CCA is a non-profit organization 501(c)(3) in Lincoln Parish and strives to meet the needs in an emergency or crisis event for families within the parish. CCA does not duplicate the ministries of member churches, but rather provides help to those in need that many churches lack the resources to undertake.
Grace Place Ministries is a place where the hungry find food, the naked find clothing, the weary find rest, and the people of the local church and community find a place to serve as the hands and feet of the Lord.
If you are interested in getting involved, click the link below!
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COMMUNITY INVESTMENT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY | |
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We are looking for volunteers to help with our annual agency program application process!
Local volunteers, representing all segments of the community, are needed to help determine how to invest dollars raised by United Way NELA. You will be reviewing and scoring applications from 501c3 organizations serving residents of Northeast Louisiana in the areas of education, health, and financial stability.
Your recommendations for funding will be reviewed and approved by a committee of the United Way NELA Board of Directors. Successful applicants become Partner Agencies of United Way and receive a monthly allocation of funds (July-June) determined by United Way community volunteers.
If you are interested in volunteering for this process, please register below!
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On Sunday, February 11, we celebrated 211 Day on Facebook with a series of informative graphics shedding light on the significance of 211.
Since 2020, Louisiana 211 has served more than 730,000 Louisianians to help meet their immediate needs.
To learn more about United Way NELA 211, click the links below!
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Are you interested in joining a creative, innovative team? Love engaging with and giving back to your community? A job with United Way of Northeast Louisiana could be for you! | |
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Resource Development Manager, Lincoln, Union, Jackson Parishes Market
Based in Ruston
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REPORTS TO: Director of Resource Development, Lincoln, Union, Jackson Parishes Market | |
Raya's birthday was Sunday, February 18. | |
Jessica's birthday was Saturday, February 24. | |
From Ready4K: Communication vs. Engagement: The Power of Family Engagement Platforms in Education
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ParentSquare, ClassDojo, and Remind, oh my! Navigating the intricate realm of parent-school communication can indeed be a daunting task. Amidst the vast array of technologies at our disposal, distinguishing the genuinely effective tools for fostering meaningful family engagement and collaboration can pose a significant challenge.
Learn why family engagement platforms promote learning by clicking the link below!
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