BankOn Roundtable Meetings

BankOn of Northeast Louisiana is a coalition of local partnerships between financial institutions, community organizations, and city/state/federal government agencies that work to improve the financial stability of the unbanked and underbanked residents of our communities. The objective of BankOn NELA is to improve financial stability by connecting residents to safe and affordable mainstream accounts in banks and credit unions, raising public awareness of these efforts and opportunities, and expanding access to financial education and other financial empowerment opportunities.

This month, local financial institutions, nonprofits, and government agencies were invited to attend Roundtable Meetings to learn more about the BankOn of Northeast Louisiana Coalition. These meetings were held at United Way of Northeast Louisiana's Board Room at 1201 Hudson Lane in Monroe. Meetings were also accessible via Zoom.

Participants had the opportunity to hear from BankOn of Northeast Louisiana Steering Committee members as well as national BankOn representatives.

For more information about this work, contact Michelle Saucer, Community Initiatives Director.
2022 Campaign Kickoff Events
United Way of Northeast Louisiana kicked off its annual Campaign Kickoff events at the Louisiana Tech University and University of Louisiana Monroe football home openers on Saturday, September 10th.
 
The purpose of United Way of Northeast Louisiana’s annual Campaign Kickoff is to honor and recognize Pacesetter companies, debut the new campaign video, and inspire volunteers, donors, and the greater community to LIVE UNITED.

“Saturday’s events were exciting times to gather together as a community, honor our volunteers and Pacesetter companies, and share the mission and vision United Way has for this community,” said Janet Durden, President of United Way NELA. “Now is the time to get involved and help us make a difference.”

Check out photos from each event below.
2022 LUJP Campaign Kickoff Event at LA Tech:
2022 REGIONAL Campaign Kickoff Event at ULM:
Special thanks to our Regional event sponsors, Origin Bank and Raising Cane's!
Interested in getting involved? A United Way of Northeast Louisiana Workplace Campaign unites and inspires employees, giving them a unique opportunity to donate to and volunteer for causes that matter most to them.
Pacesetter Campaign Results
Over the past two weeks, we’ve been individually honoring some very special businesses and their employees on social media. Our Pacesetter companies are select workplace campaigns that are asked to lead the way and run in advance of our annual workplace campaign. Pacesetters stand out as community leaders – they know that an investment in United Way of Northeast Louisiana helps people and strengthens our community. 
 
Thank you to our 2022 Pacesetter Companies across our 12 parishes! Overall, our 2022 Pacesetters did an outstanding job during their campaigns this year! Combined, these companies and their employees raised a total of $316,868 for the region, with a 21% increase in overall giving. We’re grateful to each 2022 Pacesetter for modeling what it means to LIVE UNITED!
Are you interested in joining a Leadership Giving Society?

Are you an individual, professional, and/or leader with a desire to make a meaningful investment in your community? United Way's Leadership Giving Societies offer an opportunity to contribute to lasting change in Northeast Louisiana.
United Way of Northeast Louisiana's Steamboat Society has been a major factor in the overall success of United Way of Northeast Louisiana’s community impact efforts and reflects the commitment of an individual or couple’s dedication to improving the quality of life in our community. Steamboat Society benefits include invitations to sponsored United Way events including Campaign Kickoff, Celebrating Excellence, and more!

Commander: $1,000 - $1,499 
Captain: $1,500 - $2,499
Commodore: $2,500 - $4,999
Admiral: $5,000 - $9,999
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United Way of Northeast Louisiana's Alexis de Tocqueville Society represents the highest level of leadership giving and recognizes local philanthropic leaders and volunteer champions who have devoted their time, talent, and funds to create long-lasting changes by tackling Northeast Louisiana’s most serious issues, changing lives through philanthropic leadership and action. Tocqueville Society benefits include invitations to exclusive sponsored events including Campaign Kickoff, Celebrating Excellence, and more!

Membres de la Société: $10,000 - $14,999 
Les Bienfaiterus: $15,000 - $24,999 
Ordre de Liberté: $25,000 - $99,999
La Société Nationale: $100,000 - $249,999
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For more information about United Way's Leadership Giving Societies, contact the following staff members:

Regional Steamboat Society:
Allyson Sager, Senior Relationship Manager | asager@unitedwaynela.org

Lincoln, Union, Jackson Parishes Steamboat Society:
Michelle Tolar, Director of Development | mtolar@unitedwaynela.org

Tocqueville Society:
Janet Durden, President | jdurden@unitedwaynela.org
2022 REGIONAL Young Leaders UNITED Kickoff Event:
Young Leaders UNITED hosted the inaugural Regional Kickoff at Flying Tiger Brewery on September 15, sponsored by Centric Federal Credit Union. It was a great opportunity for members to meet other young leaders in the community who are passionate about making a difference.

Young Leaders UNITED also hosted a donation drive for Serving with a Purpose, an organization that creates on campus resource centers that provide free basic needs and services and important resources for students. Socks and undergarments for children and teens were collected.
2022 LUJP Young Leaders UNITED Kickoff Event:
Young Leaders UNITED hosted the inaugural LUJP Kickoff at Sundown Tavern on September 22, sponsored by Centric Federal Credit Union. It was a great opportunity for members to meet other young leaders in the community who are passionate about making a difference.

Young Leaders UNITED also hosted a donation drive for the Methodist Children's Home Foster Care, a placement service for the Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS). It recruits, trains, certifies, and supports our own Therapeutic Foster Care (TFC) families. Hygiene items were collected for My Essentials (ME) Bags.
VolunteerUNITED: 4th Judicial District Court Packing Event
Our friends at The Fourth Judicial District Court assembled 120 literacy kits on July 28. Prime Time students throughout Ouachita Parish have received these kits that are full of books, crafts, and more!

Thank you to the 4th Judicial District Court employees for modeling what it means to
LIVE UNITED!

We appreciate the way you serve our community.
Entergy Utility Bill Assistance Results

On August 15th, United Way of Northeast Louisiana was invited to partner with Entergy for Utility Bill Assistance. We were thrilled with the opportunity because Entergy's program aligned so well with addressing the financial stability of Northeast Louisiana residents, something United Way is committed to addressing year-round.
 


United Way completed the processing of applications this month and we’re so grateful to report that
over 3,100 NELA households
received utility bill assistance!
Volunteer Opportunity: READ.LEARN.SUCCEED.

READ.LEARN.SUCCEED. pairs trained community volunteers with 2nd and 3rd grade students in select school districts for either one-on-one reading sessions or letter exchanges throughout the school year (October – May).

These amazing volunteers give of their time and energy to help Northeast Louisiana children have a better quality of life, both now and into the future.

Interested in volunteering? We need YOU!
Ready4K: Why Research Says Middle School Family Engagement Matters to Student Success
Research tells us that in addition to the usual hurdles to engagement such as limited time, limited access to information, and language and cultural barriers, a whole new host of family engagement challenges emerge in middle school.

As Nancy Hill and Diana Tyson summarize in their insightful article, Parental Involvement in Middle School, “Middle schools are large and complex, often making it difficult for parents to figure out how to become effectively involved.”

“Family engagement improves classroom dynamics and increases teacher expectations, student–teacher relationships, and cultural competence, regardless of students’ age groups..."
SingleCare: Flu season is coming!
Have any questions about the flu shot this year? Our partner, SingleCare, has answers...
Is your workplace or group interested in volunteer opportunities?
We can help!

Whether it’s a one-day activity or long-term team-building project, VolunteerUNITED is available to assist you through the entire process.

Our customized options are organized to support United Way of Northeast Louisiana’s community impact work in education, financial stability, and health, all while meeting your organization’s community engagement goals.

To build a volunteer project best suited to your group or company's needs, call 211 or email volunteer@unitedwaynela.org.
Connect with us!
United Way of Northeast Louisiana | unitedwaynela.org