United Way of America Representatives gathered in New Orleans in early February with U.S. Chamber of Commerce Executives, White House National Economic Council members, and National Corporate Leaders to discuss establishing a cross-sector to address the long-term social and economic needs of the Gulf Coast region.

While in New Orleans, many United Way National Corporate Leaders also volunteered at Just the Right Attitude, a New Orleans East food bank. The participants served lunch, packed food items, and helped load cars with bags and boxes. These United Way National Corporate Leaders and their employees and retirees have generously contributed to recovery in the region. For a complete list of United Way National Corporate Leaders, visit: unitedway.org/ncl/leaders.

"We're here to reaffirm our commitment to the people of the Gulf Coast. United Way has put a stake in the ground around long-term recovery, and thanks to the generous support of our National Corporate Leaders and others, we will continue to be a constant and very visible partner to these communities," said Brian Gallagher, president and CEO of United Way of America.

"As individual organizations, over the past three years, we've learned a lot about response and recovery. Collectively, across sectors, we believe we can be even more effective."

United Way of America has raised more than $28 million through the 2005 United Way Hurricane Response and Recovery Fund, which was invested in 73 communities in partnership with 66 local United Ways and 14 other charitable organizations. Funds have been focused on creating long-term partnerships, filling gaps in community infrastructure, strengthening case management, building 2-1-1 and creating long-term financial stability.

"The Business Civic Leadership Center has a lot of respect for what United Way is doing in New Orleans and around the country, and we appreciate the opportunity to be involved with this meeting," said Stephen Jordan, BCLC executive director and participant in the events. "This gathering of nonprofit, business and government leaders allows us to focus on ways to build better public-private partnerships that will help our communities."

A new United Way initiative, Financial Stability, plans to bring together government, business leaders and other nonprofits with proven strategies for addressing the root causes of poverty and helping hardworking families increase income, build savings and gain and sustain assets.  The goal of this initiative is to create a stronger, crisis-resistant workforce for employers and increases home and business ownership.

"As a United Way partner, we are proud to be here volunteering and strategizing in New Orleans and honored to work with such significant leaders who are all committed to the same goal of long-term recovery in the region," said Lisa Proctor, Community Relations and Volunteer Programs Manager for J.C.Penney Company Inc. and the Chair of the United Way National Corporate Leadership Advisory Council which convened this meeting.