Our Work

At the request of Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser and St. Bernard Parish President Craig Taffaro, United Way has set up a fund to meet the health and human service needs of Louisiana residents impacted by the oil spill.

Three Ways to Donate:

Online
By check
Via PayPal

OIL SPILL ASSISTANCE GRANTS

United Way has distributed mini-grants to twelve (12) local non-profits to assist those impacted by the oil spill. The grants, totaling $400,000, are being used to support case management, mental health and emergency assistance services needed in Jefferson, Plaquemines and St. Bernard parishes.

Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans, in collaboration with Catholic Charities Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, has received $70,000 to provide emergency assistance, such as gift cards, food vouchers, baby supplies, and counseling, to residents in St. Bernard, Plaquemines and Jefferson Parishes.

The St. Bernard Project has received $65,000 for their Oil Spill Response and Center for Wellness and Mental Health, which will have increased hours of operation and will attempt to hire local shrimpers and/or their spouses as community outreach workers and peer counselors.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana received $50,000 for their Emergency Food Distribution Program in Plaquemines, St. Bernard, and Jefferson Parish, specifically Grand Isle and Lafitte.

The Community Center of St. Bernard received $20,000 to address residents’ utilities, food and clothing needs through their Mustard Seed Food Pantry and Clothing Bank.

VIA LINK, Inc. received $50,000 for the 2-1-1 Information and Referral line, which also provides crisis and suicide intervention, and a single point of entry for disaster related case management.

Just the Right Attitude received $30,000 for their food bank and direct assistance in New Orleans East.

Urban League of Greater New Orleans received $30,000 for their Gulf Coast Coalition for Economic and Social Justice.

Plaquemines Community CARE Centers has received $25,000 for their immediate assistance program, which offers information about services available in Plaquemines and counseling services to children, adolescents, adults, families, couples, and groups.

Mary Queen of Vietnam (MQVN) Community Development Corporation received $20,000 for linguistically-and-culturally competent case management, community networking, small business technical assistance and affordable housing development through the interpretation of government programs.

Healing Hearts for Community Development received $20,000 for their Trauma Counseling Program in St. Bernard Parish, which provides faith and community-based outpatient mental health services for individuals and families

St. Bernard Battered Women’s Program received $10,000 for its emergency shelter for women and children whose lives have been impacted by domestic violence. They also offer ancillary services to assist victims with achieving self identified goals, such as legal advocacy, court accompaniment, safety planning, individual and group counseling, advocacy, and referrals.

Santa on the Bayou, Inc., received a $5,000 grant from United Way for direct assistance to residents of St. Bernard in the form of groceries, clothes, and OTC pharmaceutical items.

CNN TELETHON

 

A region gives thanks.Funds distributed to United Ways from CNN Telethon
In support of long-term recovery efforts for Gulf Oil Spill

In response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, CNN hosted a star-studded telethon on Larry King Live in late June to raise money for the people, animals, and environment of the Gulf Coast.  The two-hour CNN show raised $1.3 million with proceeds benefiting three charities deeply involved in emergency assistance efforts: United Way (people), National Wildlife Federation (animals) and The Nature Conservancy (environment).

Thousands of people called, texted, tweeted or visited web sites to demonstrate their support financially.  United Way’s portion of the proceeds, now finally collected, totaled $425,000 for the United Way Gulf Recovery Fund, an emergency fund created by the leadership of United Way for the Greater New Orleans Area and supported by United Ways along the Gulf from Louisiana to Florida.

A regional allocations board worked with community partners to assess the ongoing and unmet needs of the people impacted by the oil spill and to facilitate the distribution of funds.  Earlier this month, the $425K was distributed to four Gulf States:  Alabama ($98,090), divided between three coastal United Way’s; Florida ($107,355), divided between six coastal United Way’s; Louisiana ($162,605), divided between seven coastal United Way’s; and Mississippi ($56,950), divided between two coastal United Way’s.

The United Way Gulf Recovery Fund was established to provide emergency assistance as well as support long-term recovery efforts to rebuild lives by addressing educational, financial and health-related challenges.  Thousands found their lives and livelihoods impacted by the Gulf Coast oil spill. The economic ripple effect reached far beyond the fishing, hospitality and tourism industries.
   
Families have received assistance through the Gulf Coast Recovery Fund to help with food, clothing, utility assistance, rent and mortgage relief, and access to health and mental health care.   “United Way will remain on the ground to support long-term recovery efforts, working side-by-side with Gulf Coast residents to build more resilient communities.  This includes helping people as they re-imagine their lives and livelihoods, take care of long-term health and mental health issues, and learn how to become more financially stable to face any future challenges,” said Michael Williamson, Chief Operating Officer of United Way for the Greater New Orleans Area.

OTHER COMMUNITY NEWS

SOS Answer the Call - Belle Chasse Event

On Monday, June 7, Plaquemines Parish and United Way hosted a community-wide rally to raise money and lift the spirits of our residents affected by the Gulf Coast Oil Spill. The event featured celebrity fishermen Jake Anderson Mike Fourtner and Edgar Hansen of Discovery Channel's "Deadliest Catch"... [view pictures from the event]

 

"Neighbors Helping Neighbors"

Meanwhile, on Friday, May 7, United Way joined forces with Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. and Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana. Winn-Dixie launched its "Neighbors Helping Neighbors" program, where shoppers at any of its 36 New Orleans area stores can contribute to United Way's fund to help those impacted by the Gulf Coast Oil Spill. Winn-Dixie donated over 28,000 gallons of bottled water and 42,000 pounds of food items -- enough to fill three semi-trailers.
Listen for how you can help...

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Making a Difference

Humanity for All, a Los Angeles-based apparel company, donated $10,000 to United Way tohelpprovide vouchers for school uniforms so kids with out-of-work parents could go back to school prepared to succeed. The vouchers were equally distributed to children and families in Grand Isle and Jean Lafitte Parishes. Humanity is also selling several United Way inspired retail items and donating 50% of the proceeds to United Ways of the Gulf Coast

 

Grand Isle ALIVE

United Way partnered with Island Aid, a benefit concert held in lieu of the famous Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo in support of Grand Isle Alive through a gift of $10,000. The main purpose of “Grand Isle Alive” is to boost the island’s main industry, tourism, following last year’s active hurricane season and to get the word out that the town is open for business and welcoming visitors and residents alike. Deadliest Catch fishermen Edgar Hansen and Jake Anderson also attended the event on United Way’s behalf.

Be A Saint

World Champion New Orleans Saints Darren Sharper and Roman Harper are committed to helping those across the Gulf Coast affected by the oil spill. On Friday, August 27, they hosted a special Game Night After Party at Whiskey Blue to raise money and awareness for United Way. They also filmed a PSA encouraging people to “Be a Saint” and give to United Way’s Gulf Coast Recovery Fund.

United Way and Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans Partner for Help

United Way is also working in partnership with Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans [CCANO] to assist Plaquemines and St. Bernard Parish residents who are already feeling the effects of the Gulf Coast Oil Spill. If you need assistance, please call 2-1-1 for more information or to find a location for help near you. You can also reach the Catholic Charities CARE LINE at (866) 891-2210 to learn about available assistance, as locations for on-site help are subject to change.

CCANO is currently providing services at the following locations:

• St. Bernard Parish
  • St. Bernard Catholic Church
    2805 Bayou Road
• Plaquemines Parish
  • St. Patrick Catholic Church
    28698 Highway 23 in Port Sulphur
  • St. Thomas Catholic Church
    17605 Highway 15 in Pointe A la Hache
• Orleans Parish
  • Mary Queen of Vietnam Community Development Corporation
    4626 Alcee Fortier Blvd.
  • There is also a liaison at the BP Claims Center in New Orleans East
• Jefferson Parish
  • St. Anthony Catholic Church
    2653 Jean Lafitte Boulevard

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United Way Impact Partners At Work

 

 

Since May 1, more than 18,500 individuals who have been affected by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico have received emergency assistance through Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans, a United Way partner agency.  By the numbers, through July 21, 2010:

• Provided emergency assistance to 18,541 people (6,983 families).

• Distributed 393 cans of baby formula and 1,051 packages of diapers.

• Mental health crisis counselors have provided crisis counseling to 5,843 people.

• Distributed $180,355 in other direct assistance and baby supplies to families.

Since 2006, the Community Center of St Bernard (CCSTB), a United Way partner agency, has been open to help all St. Bernard families get assistance they need, whether it's food, clothes, medical care, legal aid, counseling, or other services. CCSTB is also helping those affected by the Oil Spill. With the commercial and recreational fishing ban currently in effect, many St. Bernard commercial fishermen have signed up for CCSTB’s food pantry so that they will be able to feed their families until they can find other work.

Plaquemines Community CARE Centers Foundation (PCCCF) is a small agency doing a big job.  Its mission is to protect Children, Victims, the Elderly and Disabled of Plaquemines by providing a professional, compassionate and coordinated approach to individual and family needs.  The PCCCF is serving as a resource center for all residents, providing information about services available in Plaquemines Parish.  The Center is also providing counseling services to children, adolescents, adults, families, couples, and groups.

Since May 1st, Second Harvest Food Bank has:

• Distributed $371,500 in food vouchers to affected families and $78,540 in emergency food boxes

• Distributed about 296,289 pounds of food (about 230,000 meals) to its member agencies in 11 Louisiana parishes affected by the oil spill.

 

St. Bernard Project, a United Way partner agency, is responding to the spill by expanding their mental health clinic to Lower St. Bernard and Plaquemines and creating jobs for fisherman through their Good Work Good Pay (GWGP) program. The Center for Wellness and Mental Health will have increased hours of operation and will attempt to hire local shrimpers and/or their spouses as community outreach workers and peer counselors. The GWGP program will hire, train and pay livable, union-level wages with full benefits to local fishermen affected by the oil spill (as well as other local under- and unemployed individuals and war veterans.)

 

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Volunteering

United Way is working to ensure those affected by the Gulf Coast oil spill have access to information and resources.  That’s why United Way is now providing communications and community coordination expertise to British Petroleum during the Deepwater Horizon cleanup. BP says it will pay for all necessary clean-up costs.

BP is contracting with the Louisiana Association of United Ways (LAUW) and Louisiana 2-1-1; the recognized 'go to’ information and referral system. The easy to remember three-digit telephone number connects people to health and human services as well as volunteer opportunities.

There have been a significant number of calls and emails to BP, government agencies, elected officials and nonprofits from people all over the country wanting to help or get involved in the cleanup. Training is required to volunteer. Unannounced, untrained volunteers can create an additional burden on those coordinating response efforts. LA 2-1-1 will serve as an important part of the Louisiana Volunteer Pipeline registering those who want to help with the oil spill efforts at www.volunteerlouisiana.gov to assist the LA Serve commission of the Lieutenants Governor’s office with volunteer coordination.

United Way for the Greater New Orleans Area has also created and is distributing 2-1-1 pocket cards. One side is in English and the reverse side is in Vietnamese or Spanish. This is part of an ongoing effort to reach those who may not be aware of the 24/7 helpline.

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How You Can Help

BP's spill response "includes efforts to protect the Gulf coast, to contain the spill offshore at the surface and to stem the flow of oil into the water from the sub-sea well," but there exists an immediate need for assistance in the lower Louisiana parishes. At the request of Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser and St. Bernard Parish President Craig Taffaro, United Way has set up a fund to meet the health and human service needs of Louisiana residents impacted by the oil spill.

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Three Ways to Donate:

Online

Credit and Debit Card holders may donate online through our secure site below. 100% of your donation is applied to help those in need.

By check

For donations by check, please make payble to United Way for the Greater New Orleans Area. In the memo please note "Gulf Oil Spill Fund". 100% of your donation is applied to help those in need.

Checks may be mailed to:
United Way for the
Greater New Orleans Area
ATTN: Gulf Oil Spill Fund
2515 Canal Street
New Orleans, LA 70119 USA

 

Via PayPal

To use your bank account, debit or credit card, you may choose to donate via PayPal. Please note there is a 2.2% + $0.30 fee on donations up to $100,000. For donations over $100,000 the fee is 1.9% +$0.30.

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