Last February, United Way National Corporate Leaders came to New Orleans to discuss establishing a cross-sector to address the long-term social and economic needs of the Gulf Coast region.  United Way for the Greater New Orleans Area recognizes the success of the visit, which included members of the group volunteering with United Way affiliated food bank Just The Right Attitude assist in distributing groceries to area residents. Companies also supported the UWA Hurricane Response and Recovery Fund, which helped provide a major investment in the recovery of the health and human services sectors in our region.

Continued support is important for the success of our programs.  New programs have been introduced providing new philanthropic investment opportunities in the greater New Orleans area. These programs have been made possible through various donations or partnerships and collaborations that resulted from the NCL visit.

In 2007, United Way partnered with the Emeril Lagasse Foundation, the Greater New Orleans After-School Partnership and Save the Children to decide on summer grants, especially all-day programs for families with low-incomes. As a result, United Way received its first grant of $100,000 from the local Meadows Foundation to help fund summer programs. 

JC Penny contributed more than $100,000 to after-school programs, through foundation and local store support. After a request for local support, one store responded by adding $7,500 to the funding collaborative. 

United Way has provided $94,000 for low-income children to be able to attend after-school programs. The Meadows Foundation donated a second grant to meet the matching requirements. The two grants will provide 94 children the opportunity to attend after-school programs.
           
Kathleen Maygothling, from the GE Foundation partnered with high school friend Liz McCartney and partner Zack Rosenberg to start the St. Bernard Project. The project works on rebuilding homes in the devastated St. Bernard Parish. Funding from United Way has helped the project become a regional leader in rebuilding. Inspired by Kathleen’s experiences in New Orleans, the GE Foundation board granted $425,000 over one year to support SBP. As a result, 31 homes will be rebuilt and six will receive a home for the very first time. Also, the development of a Rebuild Loan Fund will create affordable senior housing.

Pfizer and UPS made donations to Just The Right Attitude, run by Debra South-Jones in New Orleans East, soon after the NCL day of service. Pfizer donated blankets and coolers for distribution and a $20,000 grant was received from UPS. 

United Way for the Greater New Orleans Area staff meets weekly with colleagues from disaster response agencies, social service agencies, faith-based organizations and FEMA at Resource Distribution Roundtables to discuss resources families may need. The objective is to make sure families have safe, secure, sanitary, and functional housing.

Through partnerships and continued support, United Way continues rebuilding lives and communities.