Serving Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Tammany and Tangipahoa Parishes
Our Work
SAFETY NET
The Problem
Our region is facing an uncertain future due to the Gulf Oil Spill.
The Solution
Everyone needs help sometimes... you or someone you know could be next. That’s why we support programs for emergency assistance, basic needs like food and shelter, job training, and intervention in violence, abuse and neglect.
Calls to 2-1-1, the 24/7 information and referral line, dramatically increased following the oil spill.
Almost 2,700 people received counseling from one of our many partners addressing the crisis in the first few months alone. We remain committed to the long-term recovery of our region.
The 2-1-1 Information and Referral Line is an easy to remember three-digit telephone number that connects callers to information about health and human services available in your community. Our local 2-1-1 also has trained crisis intervention and suicide prevention specialists.
UWGNOA Initiatives and Programs
- Demonstration projects in Gentilly and Port Sulphur, based on international models of disaster recovery, focus on vulnerable populations and community-wide neighborhood and economic development.
- Long Term Recovery Initiative, composed of long-term recovery committees in Jefferson, Orleans, and St. Bernard Parishes, leverages donated funds, building materials, volunteer labor and other resources to assist families with unmet disaster-related needs and help them re-establish permanent housing while also working to increase the community’s disaster preparedness and immediate response capacity.
- Hispanic Public Safety Initiative, a partnership with the New Orleans Police Department, Catholic Charities Hispanic Apostolate, Puentes and Crimestoppers, teaches Survival Spanish to police officers, trains volunteer interpreters for law enforcement and criminal justice, and distributes materials informing Hispanic people of their rights as victims of and witnesses to crime.
- Donations Management secures and distributes donated goods to nonprofits throughout the region – building supplies, appliances, furniture – to assist with rebuilding and recovery.
- Emergency Food & Shelter distributes federal funds for food pantries and emergency assistance for rent, mortgage, and utility payments.
- 2-1-1 is an easy-to remember telephone number for crisis management (disaster, suicide) and information referral for health and human services 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
Program funding for agencies in three priority areas:
- Recover and Rebuild: Housing Supports, Long-Term Recovery Case Management, Neighborhood and Recovery Support, Workforce Development
- Prepare for Disaster and Provide Relief
- Resolve Crises: Emergency Assistance and Basic Needs, Intervention in Crises, Violence, Abuse and Neglect
Strategic Plan
Safety Net: Financial Stability for Hardworking Peopl,e & Those in Crisis.
See below for 2011-2012 Funding Request for Proposals information.
2011-2012 Outcome Blueprint
Funding is dedicated to strong, outcome-based programs servicing the Greater New Orleans Area that address the strategies identified in the Strategic Plans. With the assistance of Community Based Partners and experts from the field, United Way has identified specific Units of Service, Outcomes and related Indicators that will lead to the success of accomplishing the end-outcome/goal for each impact area. [learn more]
2011-2012 Proposed Budget Form
2011-2012 Funding Process quick links:
- budget directions[word]
- sample budgets [excel]
- budget form [excel]
2011-2012 Schedule of Positions
Quick Links
Our Work with Safety Net
United Way has demonstrated its ability to work with individuals with disabilities, literacy challenges and limited English proficiency, including its partnership with agencies serving these populations through Community Impact grants and initiatives.
One relevant program for people with limited English proficiency, coordinated by UWGNOA, is the Hispanic Public Safety Initiative (HSPI) that was formed in response to the disproportionate victimization of members of the Hispanic community and their reluctance to report crimes as victims or witnesses. Through the HSPI, partner agencies are training New Orleans police officers in “Survival Spanish,” training volunteer interpreters for law enforcement and criminal justice, implementing crime prevention training for Hispanic adults and teenagers, and mounting a public information campaign about where to access help in event of a crime, including the printing of 50,000 wallet cards in Spanish. One of UWGNOA’s HSPI partners is the Catholic Charities Hispanic Apostolate, a division of UWGNOA’s case management partner subcontractor CCANO.
Another one of UWGNOA’s relationships is with the Mary Queen of Vietnam Church Community Development Corporation in New Orleans East. UWGNOA worked with Vietnamese translators to provide information to residents about the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Initiative which works with the IRS, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites, and local service providers to help low-income households secure tax benefits and free income tax assistance. One of UWGNOA’s partner subcontractors for the DCMP is Boat People SOS, which also serves the Vietnamese community.
