Monthly News from United Way of Northeast Louisiana
December 2022 Edition
|
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS
from your friends at United Way of Northeast Louisiana!
|
Union Parish Tornado Response:
United Way of Northeast Louisiana launched its Union Parish Tornado Response, a disaster relief project that will encompass a relief fund and 211 referrals to local resources.
“Our Union Parish Tornado Response Fund will be made possible through the generous contributions of individuals and corporations over and above the vital dollars that are already being given,” said Daniel Taylor, United Way of Northeast Louisiana Board Chair. “Additionally, 211 will serve as a connection point for local recovery resources and assistance.”
All funds received will be used to meet the emergent needs of Union Parish residents who are displaced due to the recent tornado damage. No portion of contributions will be used for United Way of Northeast Louisiana overhead or administration. All donations are tax deductible.
Monetary donations will be accepted beginning Thursday, December 15.
Donations to the Union Parish Tornado Response Fund may be given by:
-
Texting UNIONTORNADO to 91999
-
Giving online by clicking the link below
-
Mailing a check or money order to United Way of Northeast Louisiana at 1201 Hudson Lane, Monroe, LA 71201. Please indicate a donation to the UWNELA Union Parish Tornado Response Fund in the memo of your check or money order.
For more information about United Way of Northeast Louisiana’s Union Parish Tornado Response, call 211 or contact Kim Lowery, Vice President of Community and Organizational Strategy.
|
Final Report: To Our Children, With Love
This year, United Way of Northeast Louisiana gave the community an opportunity to provide holiday gifts and necessities to local foster children through a partnership with Louisiana Foster Care Support Services and Royal Family Kids for Northeast Louisiana.
Royal Family Kids for Northeast Louisiana is a non-profit organization that serves children in foster care in the 11 DCFS parishes for Northeast Louisiana. Beginning in November, we invited sponsors to help create a magical Christmas for foster children by providing toys and necessities through an online giving platform. Upon shipment, all purchases were processed and gift wrapped by a team of Louisiana Foster Care and United Way NELA volunteers, then delivered to foster children in time for the holidays.
A total of 61 local foster care children received gifts as a result of this project and the generosity of our community!
|
|
Workplace Campaigns: Check out all the FUN happening in Northeast Louisiana!
|
|
Ouachita Parish School Board
|
|
|
|
Grambling State University
|
|
Northern Louisiana Medical Center
|
|
Alli Management Solutions
|
|
The Heirship Project
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.
The Heirship Project will consist of 7 events with both in-person and virtual options. All events are free and open to the public.
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:
|
|
Dollars & $ense Reality Fairs
The Dollars & $ense Reality Fair provides youth with foundational concepts that can help them form a healthy financial outlook. The participants are randomly assigned an occupation and monthly income. They must travel from booth to booth while spending and staying within a budget.
If you would like a fun and rewarding volunteer opportunity, The Dollars & $ense Reality Fair requires 2 hours of your time, during which you will man a booth. Booth advisors influence participants to purchase the most expensive items in the simulation booths. Your job is to SELL! SELL! SELL!
The next Dollar & $ense Reality Fair will be a part of the MLK Day Resource Fair hosted by The City of Monroe Planning and Urban Development on Monday, January 16th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Powell Street Community Center.
Please complete the appropriate form below if you would like to volunteer.
|
|
Volunteers needed from
9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
|
|
Volunteers needed from
11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
|
|
UWNELA 211: Ouachita Parish Broadband Initiative
|
|
High-speed internet is a necessity in every household and we are working to expand Broadband throughout Ouachita Parish. A Citizens Advisory Committee has been established to help achieve this goal with the help of state and federal funding.
High-speed internet is a necessity in every household and we are working to expand Broadband throughout Ouachita Parish. A Citizens Advisory Committee has been established to help achieve this goal with the help of state and federal funding.
We Need Your Help TODAY To Help Us Meet Our Goal!
- If you currently have internet service, visit dra.gov and run a quick and easy speed test.
- If you currently do not have internet service, call 211 to reach a Call Specialist, then say "internet" to have your address added to our service list.
- Tell your friends and neighbors to complete one of the above steps that applies to their home.
|
|
Young Leaders UNITED: Christmas Party
United Way of Northeast Louisiana's Young Leaders UNITED hosted its Christmas party at Flying Heart Brewery in West Monroe. Our outstanding volunteers helped to wrap 12 "kits" for young adults at the Christopher Youth Center.
Ella Nimmers, Executive Director at the Christopher Youth Center, spoke about their Transitional Living Program (TLP), which provides housing up to 18 months for homeless young adults 17 to 21 years old and their accompanying small children.
|
|
Staff Spotlight: Tiffany White
Tiffany White serves as the Resource Development Manager for Lincoln, Union, and Jackson Parishes. She assists in the planning, organization, and implementation of the annual campaign and workplace campaigns.
Tiffany holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Dillard University and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of New Orleans. She is also a certified Faith & Finances facilitator and is passionate about ministry at her local church, supporting individuals with special needs, and financial wellness for all, particularly those in underserved and historically excluded communities.
Tiffany enjoys spending time with her husband, Maurice and their two children, Reece and Mariah.
|
|
From SingleCare:
Traveling during the holidays is always stressful, but it doesn't have to impact your health. Our partner SingleCare shares tips for staying healthy this holiday season.
What is SingleCare?
It’s free and easy to save on your prescriptions. Here’s how...
SingleCare works directly with pharmacies to negotiate up to 80% off prescription prices. The savings are passed to members, free of charge. Sign up today at https://www.singlecare.com/.
|
|
From Ready4K:
Check out this family member's message from a recent survey:
"[The messages have helped me with] Educational games and TV time, cooking, reading."
When asked if Ready4K helped parents make learning a part of every day, responses were as follows:
Helped (100%)
Hasn't helped (0%)
|
|
UPCOMING EVENTS:
-
Young Leaders UNITED Bowling into the New Year | Tuesday, January 26 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Lambright Bowling Alley in Ruston
-
Early Ed Day | Date, Time, Location TBD | More info coming in January 2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|