UNITED WAY OF SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA

Programs

1. Community impact strategic planning & fund distribution:United Way of Southeast Louisiana (uwsela) has a bold vision for eradicating poverty in sela. Grant-making supports the vision of "equitable communities where all individuals are healthy, educated and economically stable." this means both a sharpened focus on poverty through supporting the critical programs that form the bedrock of serving our population, and a systems change approach centered on collaboration. Our grant-making is rooted in addressing the complex interplay of symptoms and drivers of poverty in the region. In 2016, uwsela launched its first cycle of grants to support programs and groups working together in a collaborative way to address the outcomes in our blueprint for prosperity. This portion of the community impact division, as distinct from the initiatives and programs it coordinates, is responsible for the annual strategic grants funding processes. It develops strategic plans to guide the funding processes and program or initiative development and establishes and monitors measures of program success and financial accountability. Accomplishments: uwsela funded 64 programs, from july 1, 2024 june 30, 2025,…

   $9,323,227 spentof which $7,666,092 as grants$82,637 earned by the program
   51% of program spending

2. J. Wayne leonard prosperity center:the prosperity center offers families a "one-door" model, providing a single-entry point into a comprehensive suite of integrated services. This approach is especially critical in rural communities where entrenched poverty, underemployment, and limited access to financial capability services continue to challenge residents. By streamlining access to multiple resources, the prosperity center helps individuals and families move from economic crisis to stability and, ultimately, long-term prosperity.through this model, participants receive coordinated support in career navigation, financial education, case management, and essential resource connections, ensuring that each family's needs are addressed holistically rather than in isolation.comprehensive services: the prosperity center provides a robust portfolio of no-cost services designed to build financial capability and promote self-sufficiency:- financial education- financial coaching- financial counseling- credit counseling- credit building through safe and affordable financial products- free tax preparation assistance- access to federal and state benefits- incentivized savings programs- asset…

   $1,753,062 spentof which $211,260 as grants
   10% of program spending

3. New orleans mental health collaborative (mhc):the new orleans mental health collaborative (mhc) was created to identify and fill gaps in mental health care in the city. The initiative was launched during a special city council session on mental and behavioral health convened by new orleans city councilmember joe giarrusso on sept. 15, 2022.in 2024-2025, building upon the vision and focus areas identified in the previous year, the mhc really took shape with workgroups and engaged trepwise to assist with building out strategic paths for the workgroups. The mhc also hired a director who allocates 100% of their time to the mhc a need that's been felt by both co-chairs and uwsela.vision: all new orleanians have equitable access to a robust, well-coordinated mental health system of high-quality care.areas of focus: - access to care: ensures there are available and coordinated services in high-need neighborhoods- capacity building: expands the ability to provide mental health care through community training- needs assessment: identifies most urgent needs, uplifts voices of those with lived experiencegeographic target area: new orleans east, lower 9 and holy cross neighborhoods - the area…

   $1,270,297 spentof which $805,379 as grants
   7% of program spending

4. Disaster relief:january 2025 - bourbon street new year's terrorism attack: in the early morning hours of new year's day 2025, shamshud-dim jabbar drove a pickup truck into a bourbon street that was still crowded with revelers, killing 14 people and wounding 57. The federal bureau of investigation began investigating the incident as a terrorist act, finding multiple explosive devices and weapons. Terrorism was previously unknown in louisiana, as well as to the work of United Way of Southeast Louisiana, but we did not hesitate. We immediately joined local partners to staff a center for victim's needs. In addition, by the afternoon of january 1, uwsela launched the united for new orleans relief fund, dedicated to supporting the victims, their families, and the partner organizations working to provide assistance. This fund covered urgent needs like medical expenses, funeral costs, trauma counseling, and other critical services.uwsela went above and beyond an immediate response. Uwsela disaster team staffed an area at the fbi victim's center, the nola hub, each day for weeks after the attack, providing gift cards and services to victims and their families long beyond normal business…

   $1,178,859 spentof which $1,057,557 as grants
   6% of program spending

5. Home for good:the home for good program is a collaborative initiative between United Way of Southeast Louisiana (uwsela) and the city of new orleans, designed to transition individuals and families from homelessness or temporary shelter into stable, permanent housing. The program targets low-income residents, particularly those exiting emergency shelters or living in unstable conditions, with the goal of reducing chronic homelessness and improving economic mobility.through this partnership, united way provides comprehensive case management and supportive services, including:- rental assistance: covering up to 12 months of rent and utilities to ensure housing stability while participants rebuild financial capacity.- financial capability coaching: one-on-one sessions that help participants create budgets, improve credit, manage debt, and build savings for long-term stability.- employment and workforce development: job readiness coaching, resume assistance, and direct connections to local workforce programs to help clients achieve sustainable income.- wraparound services: coordination with local partners for mental health, legal aid, childcare, and transportation support as…

   $797,044 spentof which $600,663 as grants
   4% of program spending

6. Louisiana prisoner re-entry initiative (lapri) collaborative:louisiana has reported the highest incarceration rate in the u.s. Per capita for several decades. Recent efforts made by the louisiana department of public safety & corrections (dps&c) to improve prisoner reentry policies and practices have caused this rate to reduce drastically in the past. While there has been a reduction in incarceration rates, each year, approximately 18,000 people are released from state prisons and jails to communities across louisiana. The five-year recidivism rate for offenders discharging from the custody the dps&c is 38.7%. Unfortunately, jefferson and st. Tammany parish are in the top tier of parishes with the highest recidivism rates. The louisiana prisoner reentry initiative (lapri) was implemented to combat these recidivism rates. Lapri utilizes a comprehensive case management approach that supports moderate to high-risk justice involved citizens from the facility and back into the community. It reduces the recidivism rate of justice involved citizens by addressing the three factors that cause recidivism:- a lack of prerelease preparation to connect prisoners to much needed services-…

   $718,389 spentof which $46,002 as grants
   4% of program spending

7. New orleans grade level reading campaign:vision: all students in new orleans read at grade level by the end of third grade.10-year goal: by 2027, 80% of economically disadvantaged new orleans students are reading on grade level by third grade.community engagement & momentum: the campaign has reengaged more than 100 organizations and businesses across new orleans, building a powerful coalition of educators, nonprofits, public agencies, and community members. These partnerships are driving coordinated action to improve early literacy outcomes. Regional advocacy efforts have expanded to st. Tammany, jefferson, plaquemines, and st. Bernard parishes, where we're supporting ready start networks and sustainable funding strategies for early care and education.strategic priorities for 2024-2025:1. Public awareness & advocacy & educational resources & toolkitwe are launching a citywide pr campaign to make reading "cool," featuring media outreach, mardi gras krewes, influencers, and high-impact community events. Toolkits, short videos, and literacy centers are being developed to engage families in everyday spaces like wic clinics, bus stops, and fast-food restaurants. We are also promoting…

   $459,798 spent
   3% of program spending

8. Volunteer income tax assistance (vita):the volunteer income tax assistance (vita) program offers free, reliable tax preparation services to low- and moderate-income individuals, ensuring they retain a greater portion of their hard-earned income. Irs-certified vita volunteers help families avoid costly fees and predatory lending practices while maximizing refunds by claiming all eligible credits, such as the earned income tax credit (eitc) and the child tax credit.the eitc remains the nation's largest anti-poverty initiative, lifting millions of working families out of poverty each year. By connecting residents to this critical support, vita plays a vital role in strengthening household stability and building pathways to financial security.United Way of Southeast Louisiana is a key partner in advancing vita and eitc awareness across its seven-parish service area and beyond, leading coordinated outreach and marketing campaigns to ensure families are aware of and have access to these free services.through a partnership with universities and technical colleges, united way also extends these benefits to students. By combining free tax preparation with public benefits screening,…

   $399,535 spentof which $397 as grants
   2% of program spending

9. Workforce readiness employment & training programsto strengthen families and communities, uwsela works with the louisiana department of children and family services workforce division to provide capacity building resources and assistance for their set for success programs. These initiatives provide individuals and families with the opportunity to overcome barriers, gain new skills, and secure employment at a living wage. By investing in education, training, and financial capability supports, uwsela helps participants transform their lives and achieve economic mobility.building capacity in employment & training programs: uwsela has played a pivotal role in building capacity for both the snap employment & training (e&t) and strategies to empower people (step) e&t programs. Through leadership, technical assistance, and collaboration, uwsela ensures that participants and providers have the resources needed for long-term success.snap e&t: - held a position on the snap e&t advisory council- created and presented the best practices partner guide fiscal & reimbursement guidelines- developed a partner referral strategic plan- onboarded and supported approved providers into the snap e&t…

   $357,530 spent
   2% of program spending

10. Individual development account project (ida)an ida is a matched savings account that helps low-income individuals and families save money to acquire an economic asset that can build long-term financial stability and self-sufficiency. This project allows participants to use their idas for down payment/closing costs on a new home, start or expand a small business, post-secondary education, home repair, and vehicle purchases. Participants are required to attend financial education courses and asset-specific training before making a purchase. In addition, they must save for at least six months before making a purchase. Ida project partners provide financial education, credit counseling, and asset-specific training. We received a $1,000,000 mackenzie scott charitable giving on december 15, 2020, to start our fourth program. The fourth ida project will operate from july 1, 2021-june 30, 2026.accomplishments: - total number of participants enrolled - 24- asset purchases completed - 24 total: 10 homeownership, 1 vehicle, 8 business start-up or expansion, 2 post-secondary education, 3 home repair, - total number of participants that have completed 12 hours of homebuyer training - 10 -…

    $299,821 spentof which $148,000 as grants
    2% of program spending

11. All other program services

    $1,803,205 spentof which $584,003 as grants
    10% of program spending

The 11 programs described on its FY2024 Form 990, listed largest first by expense. Program spending in total: $18,360,767.