Coming in February: Love in Action

We’re so excited to launch another year of “Love in Action,” a compilation of projects and daily activities to help you and your neighbors spread some extra love. This project will last the entire month of February. Additionally, United Way will organize weekly service projects for the community to get involved with Love in Action.
Miller-Roy Building Ribbon Cutting scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 2nd
The Heirship Project: Upcoming Workshops

The Heirship Project is a project aimed at educating and assisting residents who need help obtaining a clear property title. 

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.

There are currently 3 remaining workshops scheduled this year with both in-person and virtual options.

Upcoming workshops:

  • Date: Thursday, February 16th | Time: 6:00-7:30pm | Community Workshop | Location: Lincoln Parish Library – 910 N. Trenton Street, Ruston
  • Date: Thursday, April 13th | Time: 6:00-7:30pm | Community Workshop | Location: United Way NELA – 1201 Hudson Lane, Monroe OR Zoom
  • Date: Thursday, June 15th | Time: 6:00-7:30pm | Community Workshop | Location: United Way NELA – 1201 Hudson Lane, Monroe OR Zoom

Interested individuals who need assistance obtaining a clear property title for heir property or who want to know more information about heir property should contact 211 for registration details. 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). Individuals may also register at the following link:
United Way NELA's annual Agency Program Application Process reopening next month
We are pleased to announce that we are reopening our annual agency program application process on Monday, February 6th, 2023.
 
At United Way of Northeast Louisiana, we fight for the education, financial stability, and health of individuals in our community. Every agency program that applies for support from United Way must effectively address one of these aspirations.

Any 501c3 organization interested in applying for partner agency funding must meet the following requirements:
  • Provide services aligned with at least one of our three aspirational areas
  • Provide services for residents in Lincoln, Union, Jackson Parishes and/or the Regional Parishes (Caldwell, East Carroll, Franklin, Madison, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, Tensas, and West Carroll)

Local volunteers, representing all segments of the community, determine how to invest dollars raised by United Way NELA. The recommendations for funding are reviewed and approved by the organization's volunteers annually.
Update: Dollars & $ense Reality Fairs

Thank you to our outstanding Dollars & $ense volunteers for giving of their time and effort at the MLK Jr. Day Youth Resource Fair on Monday, January 16th.
 
These volunteers helped service booths as they educated participating youth on financial responsibility. 
 
Thank you for your support in our community!
Ready4Service: Town of Jonesboro City Hall

Ready4Service is a United Way of Northeast Louisiana initiative that is designed to get 4th & 5th grade elementary students involved in community service. Four Jonesboro-Hodge Elementary students had the opportunity to meet Mayor Harris of Jonesboro. This experience included a tour of the Town of Jonesboro City Hall and an enlightening and informative community discussion with Mayor Harris. The students thoroughly enjoyed the experience, thanks to the generosity of Mayor Harris and lunch from Johnny's Pizza House!
Ready4Service: Monroe City Hall

Ready4Service is a United Way of Northeast Louisiana initiative that is designed to get 4th & 5th grade elementary students involved in community service. Thirty-eight students from 7 Monroe City Schools and 3 Ouachita Parish Schools had the opportunity to meet Lead Staff with the City of Monroe, City Council Members Dawson and Woods, Police Jurors Hudson and Thompson, and Roy Heatherly, Monroe Chamber of Commerce. This experience included an exciting overview of The City of Monroe and an informative community discussion with community leaders. The students thoroughly enjoyed the experience, thanks to the generosity of The City of Monroe and lunch from Johnny's Pizza House!
Celebrate 211 Day with us on Saturday, 2/11!

Tune in on social media during the week of February 6 through February 11.

We will be sharing some of the faces behind United Way NELA 211 and exciting facts about our 211 call center.

We cannot wait to celebrate with YOU!
Early Ed Day scheduled for Wednesday, February 15th

Next month, local legislators and business leaders are invited to attend Early Learning Day for Northeast Louisiana hosted by United Way of Northeast Louisiana and Claiborne Christian Preschool as part of the annual 2023 Louisiana Early Ed Month happening throughout the month of February across Louisiana.  

The event will be held in partnership between the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children (LPIC), the Louisiana Early Childhood Business RoundtableLouisiana Association of United Ways (LAUW), The Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana, and United Way of Northeast Louisiana, gathered local policymakers, business leaders and partners in the Northeast Louisiana community to place a spotlight on the critical and ongoing need to increase and improve access to quality early care and education for children, birth through age four, throughout the state. 
Through volunteer, social, and career development opportunities, members of Young Leaders UNITED develop skills, knowledge, and a relationship with United Way NELA to create lasting change for generations to come through their engagement with Young Leaders UNITED and United Way NELA. They also have the opportunity to cultivate philanthropic giving alongside impact work.

The goal of Young Leaders UNITED is to enable members to build long-term, meaningful engagement with United Way, and to cultivate the future volunteer leaders of United Way and its community partners.
Staff Spotlight:
Michelle Saucer

Michelle Saucer, who has been with United Way of Northeast Louisiana for more than 20 years, serves as the Community Initiatives Director. In this role, Michelle creates, implements, and manages initiatives to impact the lives of children, young adults, and underserved people in our communities.

Michelle is a graduate of Grambling State University and is passionate about the growth and well-being of people and the communities to which they belong.

Michelle strongly believes that all young people should have an opportunity to reach their highest potential, which looks different for each child. She believes that every person in our community should encourage experiences that support education and life skills for our young people by providing their personal resources (time, talents, and treasures).
From SingleCare: 5 Cancer Screenings Women Need

Did you know that January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month?

Our partner SingleCare tells us the 5 cancer screenings women need—including one for cervical cancer. Click below to learn more!

#CervicalHealthAwarenessMonth
From Ready4K: Seasonal Science


This season can be just the time to get hands-on with science. We encourage families to develop scientific thinking skills using everyday objects, and we give them ways to do it outside and inside too. This allows hands-on learning to happen whatever the weather.

Kids are full of wonder. And imagination. And curiosity. Kids. Are. Still. Resilient. 

When presented with the opportunity to ask, experiment, and explore, they are almost certainly going to take it. Their wonder was stronger than the worry they may have been feeling.

For more resources, visit the link below.
UPCOMING EVENTS:

  • Miller-Roy Building Ribbon Cutting | Thursday, February 2nd, 2023 | 3 p.m. | 1001 DeSiard St., Monroe

  • Early Ed Day | Wednesday, February 15th, 2023

  • The Heirship Project | Thursday, February 16th | 6:00-7:30pm | Community Workshop | Lincoln Parish Library – 910 N. Trenton Street, Ruston

  • Regional Celebrating Excellence | Tuesday, March 7th, 2023 | 8:00-9:30 a.m. at ULM's Bayou Pointe Event Center | 1 Warhawk Way, Monroe

  • Lincoln, Union, and Jackson Parishes Celebrating Excellence | Wednesday, March 8th, 2023 | 8:00-9:30 a.m. | LA Tech's Davision Athletics Complex | 1524 W. Alabama Ave, Ruston
Connect with us!
United Way of Northeast Louisiana | unitedwaynela.org