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Monthly News from United Way of Northeast Louisiana
March 2025 Edition
| | JANET S. DURDEN RETIREMENT PARTY | | |
Join us as we celebrate Janet S. Durden’s 40 years of exceptional service as President of United Way of Northeast Louisiana!
Date: Tuesday, April 1
Time: 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Location: Bayou Pointe Event Center, University of Louisiana Monroe
A special thank you to our sponsors: 2024-2025 Board of Directors, Blake Wheelis State Farm, Century Next Bank, Nan and George W. Cummings, III, Susan and Terry Duke, Forth Insurance, Holyfield Construction, InterMountain, Jim Taylor Auto Group, Mid South Extrusion, Jean Mintz, Melinda and Morris Mintz, Moore Family InterestS, LLC, Newcomer, Morris & Young, Sue and Tom Nicholson, Origin Bank, Progressive Bank, and Ryan Auto Group.
We would love for you to RSVP and share your contact information along with any special memories you have with Janet. Click the link below to RSVP and share your memories!
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Earlier this month, we hosted our annual Celebrating Excellence events, recognizing outstanding volunteers and corporate partners for their dedication and impact. Held at Bayou Pointe on the University of Louisiana Monroe campus and the Davison Athletics Complex at Louisiana Tech University, the events brought together community leaders to celebrate generosity and commitment.
One of the highlights of the event was the announcement of the 2024 overall campaign total: $2,790,426, shared by Ashley West (Progressive Bank), UWNELA's 2024 Board Chair. This incredible achievement reflects the power of collective giving and the generosity of our community.
At the Lincoln, Union, Jackson Parishes event, Amy Stegall (formerly with City of Ruston), Campaign Chair for LUJP, announced the 2024 LUJP campaign total of $755,230.
Attendees also heard from Janet S. Durden, President of United Way of Northeast Louisiana, who delivered this year’s keynote address at each event. With over 40 years of dedicated leadership, Janet will retire on March 31, 2025, leaving behind a lasting legacy of service and impact.
We were honored to present several awards, including:
- Campaign Leader Awards
- Outstanding Campaign Coordinator(s) of the Year
- Outstanding Campaign Coordinator & Team of the Year
- New Campaign Award
- Going the Extra 10% Award
- Circle of Honor Award
- LIVE UNITED Award
- VolunteerUNITED Award
- Bank On NELA Award
A huge thank you to our event sponsors—Louisiana Tech University, Monroe Housing Authority, and Origin Bank—for making these celebrations possible!
Together, we continue to create meaningful change in Northeast Louisiana.
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Strauss Interests
$57,095
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Mid South Extrusion
$75,012
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Ouachita Parish School Board
$56,852
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Argent Financial Group
$71,252
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Century Next Bank
$46,197
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alli Management Solutions
$46,047
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Outstanding Campaign Coordinator
of the Year:
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Jenny Wills
The Woman's Clinic
Monroe
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Outstanding Campaign Coordinators
of the Year:
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Sara Carlson, Bria Small & Matt Dickerson
Mid South Extrusion
Monroe
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Outstanding Campaign Coordinator & Team
of the Year:
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Aline Smead, Maribeth Holzer, Emily Lincecum & Haley Holley
Ouachita Parish School Board
Monroe
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Outstanding Campaign Coordinator
of the Year:
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Sarah McKinnie
Origin Bank
Ruston
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Karl Malone Toyota of Ruston
Ruston
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Love in Action:
We’re so excited to launch an extended version of "Love in Action!" We're continuing this initiative through the entire month of April.
United Way is partnering with The City of Monroe Legal Department to host a month-long donation drive benefiting the Children’s Coalition Early Head Start Program.
Want to make a difference? Click the link below to explore the donation drive and see how you can help!
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READY4SERVICE | WEST MONROE:
Six outstanding 4th and 5th grade students from Riser Elementary and Lenwil Elementary had a unique opportunity to engage with West Monroe Mayor Staci Albritton Mitchell on Wednesday, March 12. These students, who have earned or are contenders for the title of Student of the Year, are part of Ready4Service— a United Way of Northeast Louisiana initiative designed to get young students involved in community service.
During their discussion with Mayor Mitchell, they explored important topics like infrastructure, littering, homelessness, and drug issues. The experience was both eye-opening and inspiring for the students, who valued the chance to voice their thoughts and ask questions. To top it off, they enjoyed a pizza lunch and expressed their gratitude for this meaningful opportunity to connect with a local leader.
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READY4SERVICE | MONROE:
Twenty-seven exceptional 4th and 5th grade students from Monroe City Schools and Ouachita Parish Schools had a special opportunity to meet with Monroe City Mayor Friday Ellis on Thursday, March 13. These students, either recipients or hopefuls for the Student of the Year title, are part of Ready4Service— a United Way of Northeast Louisiana initiative that encourages young students to engage in community service.
During their conversation with Mayor Ellis, they discussed key issues such as littering, unity, healthcare, and public safety. The discussion was both enlightening and inspiring, giving students a platform to share their ideas and ask meaningful questions. To wrap up the experience, they enjoyed pizza from Johnny’s and expressed their appreciation for the chance to connect with local leaders.
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THE HEIRSHIP PROJECT: PART I - PROPERTY TITLES
What is The Heirship Project?
The Heirship Project is a project aimed at educating and assisting residents who need help obtaining a clear property title.
What is Heir Property?
Heir property comes about when necessary legal work isn’t done after a property owner dies. Heirs who have a verbal agreement to live on the property, but no legal title could face many obstacles, including selling the property, making repairs on the property, or qualifying for government aid to fix damages to the home.
When is The Heirship Project?
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
United Way NELA - 1201 Hudson Lane - Monroe
Audience: ATTORNEYS ONLY
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
United Way NELA - 1201 Hudson Lane - Monroe
Audience: COMMUNITY
How do I sign up?
Interested individuals who need assistance obtaining a clear property title for heir property or who want to know more information about heir property may register at the link below. For additional assistance, contact 211. Simply dial 211 from any landline or mobile phone (available 24/7), or text your zip code to 898-211 (available Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm).
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THE HEIRSHIP PROJECT: PART II - WILLS & DEEDS
What is The Heirship Project: Part II - Wills & Deeds?
The Heirship Project: Part II - Wills & Deeds is a project aimed at educating and assisting residents who need help obtaining legal documents for final wishes (will) or transferring ownership of property to another person (deed).
What is a will? What is a deed?
Wills and deeds are both legal documents, but serve different purposes:
- Will: A legal document that outlines how a person's assets and estate should be distributed after their death
- Deed: A legal document used to transfer ownership of real estate or property from one person (or entity) to another
When is The Heirship Project: Part II - Wills & Deeds Workshop?
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
United Way NELA - 1201 Hudson Lane - Monroe
Audience: COMMUNITY
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
United Way NELA - 1201 Hudson Lane - Monroe
Audience: COMMUNITY
How do I sign up?
Interested individuals who need assistance obtaining a clear property title for heir property or who want to know more information about heir property may register at the link below. For additional assistance, contact 211. Simply dial 211 from any landline or mobile phone (available 24/7), or text your zip code to 898-211 (available Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm).
| | NONPROFIT CAPACITY BUILDING TRAINING PROGRAM | |
NONPROFIT CAPACITY BUILDING TRAINING PROGRAM:
United Way of Northeast Louisiana, in partnership with the Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Monroe City, is excited to announce a new initiative aimed at strengthening the nonprofit sector across our 12-parish region. Our Nonprofit Capacity Building Training Program is a specialized, pilot program designed to enhance the skills, resources, and capabilities of local nonprofits, and directly addresses our goal of fostering collaboration among people and organizations to build a stronger, more inclusive community.
This program is tailored to meet the varying needs of nonprofits at different stages of growth. The program will offer weekly or monthly sessions led by expert instructors focusing on essential areas such as compliance, public affairs, budgeting, fund development, human resources, and board recruitment.
With a mix of in-person and potential online sessions, we’re committed to providing continuous support and opportunities for growth throughout the year. By collaborating with the Monroe Chamber of Commerce and other community organizations, United Way is dedicated to helping local nonprofits become more resilient, sustainable, and effective.
Join us in our mission to build a stronger, more inclusive community in Northeast Louisiana.
| | UNITED WAY OF NORTHEAST LOUISIANA 211 | | |
What is 211?
211 is a FREE, confidential service that connects you with essential resources and services in your local community. Whether you need help with healthcare, housing, food, or just someone to talk to, 211 is here for you, 24/7. Call 211 to find out what help is available in your area!
Click the buttons below to view our new materials.
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211 DASHBOARD:
This dashboard contains aggregate information, non-personally identifiable information about help seekers who have contacted United Way 211 since January 1, 2019. The first page illustrates the locations of help seekers. The second page looks at the number of referrals and types of services referred during the interactions. The third page looks at the needs expressed by help seekers. The final page explores the demographics of the help seekers.
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211 DATABASE:
The 211 database provides access to community resources and is available 24/7 through your computer, phone, or other devices.
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