The Heirship Project

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?
The Heirship Project will consist of 7 events with both in-person and hybrid options. All events are free and open to the public. Event details are listed at unitedwaynela.org/heirship.

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 should contact 211 for registration details. 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). Individuals may also register at the link below.
Introducing ALICE in Focus: People with Disabilities

On the 32nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, we launch our new research brief for Louisiana – ALICE in Focus: People With Disabilities. The research reveals that the number of #PeopleWithDisabilities who struggled to afford basics just before the pandemic hit is far higher than federal poverty data indicates — 60% in total, compared to 24% below the federal poverty level, of 716,266 people with disabilities statewide. Explore the new brief and online dashboards for more ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) data: 
Campaign 2022: CEO Visits

Our Resource Development staff and 2022 Campaign Cabinet volunteers are busy this summer visiting local business leaders in our communities who support employee workplace campaigns in their companies.  

These very important CEO visits give United Way the opportunity to thank the company for their outstanding partnership and share how their investment helps to provide our most current services and programs in the communities we serve.

If you know of any local businesses or individuals who would be interested in partnering with United Way of Northeast Louisiana and learning more about how we can work together to help people and improve our communities, please email [email protected].
CEO Visit: Centric Federal Credit Union

Pictured are Dee Dee Riley, Pegeen Singley, and Chris Craighead with CFCU and Jackie Guillott with Vanguard Realty.
CEO Visit: City of Ruston

Pictured are Tiffany White with United Way NELA, Amy Stegall and Mayor Ronny Walker with the City of Ruston, George Lee with Temple Baptist Ruston, and Cathi Cox-Boniol with Louisiana Tech University.
CEO Visit: Grambling State University

Pictured are Michelle Tolar with United Way NELA, Amy Stegall with the City of Ruston, President Rick Gallot with Grambling State University, George Lee with Temple Baptist Ruston, and Will Dearmon with the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce.
CEO Visit: Northern Louisiana Medical Center

Pictured are Dr. Josh Mandrell with Green Clinic, Kathy Hall and Tami Davis with Northern LA Medical Center, Bruce Rushing with Origin Bank, and Tiffany White with United Way NELA.
CEO Visit: Progressive Bank

Pictured are David Hampton, David Cole, George W. Cummings, III, with Progressive Bank, Dr. Ashanti Jones with ULM, and Allyson Sager with United Way NELA.
CEO Visit: University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM)

Pictured are President Berry and Veronica Dickey with ULM, Janet Durden with United Way NELA, Christie Hemphill with ULM, Allyson Sager with United Way NELA, and Dr. Ashanti Jones and Chrissie Autin with ULM.
CEO Visit: Specialty Management Services of Ouachita (SMSO)

Pictured are Allyson Sager with United Way NELA, Scott McCain and Linda Holyfield with SMSO, and Dr. Ashanti Jones with ULM.
Northeast REALTORS® of Louisiana Fan Drive

The Northeast REALTORS® of Louisiana (NER) recently finished its Second Annual Summer Fan Drive with more than 180 box fans donated to Council on Aging Centers throughout a 13-parish service area. United Way of Northeast Louisiana was pleased to assist with contacting these local Councils on Aging to distribute the collected fans to local senior citizens.

“Northeast Louisiana’s heat can be deadly to certain segments of the population, namely the elderly, the ill and to infants,” said Chris Brock, President of Northeast REALTORS® of Louisiana. “We are so grateful to every one of the caring REALTORS® and affiliates in our community that gave to this wonderful cause,” continued Brock. Read more below!
From Ready4K: Kitchen Sink Science

Research tells us that hands-on learning is when kids do their biggest and best learning. It offers a strength-based point of entry into new topics and ideas. It brings everyone to the table, or in this case, the floor. Hands-on science also gives us permission to be messy. It gives us permission to fail. To not get things right the first time (or even the 10th time). Trial and error is baked into the scientific process.
Faces of 211: Shanda West

This month's Face of 211 is Shanda West. Shanda serves as a 211 Call Specialist.

Shanda and her daughter, Meghan Rayne, moved back to the area in 2012. After working in healthcare for almost 30 years being an advocate for patients with billing needs, Shanda says she was "so blessed that God opened the door to be close to my parents again."

Shanda has served in the customer service industry her entire career. She says her greatest joy is knowing at the end of the day she helped someone in need and left them with a smile.

Shanda's daughter is her greatest accomplishment and also the one who recommended her to join the 211 family. 

Shanda's life verse is "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing" (1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV).
From Louisiana Department of Health: 998, the NEW Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Are you experiencing a mental health crisis? Call, text or chat #988, the new number for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Trained, compassionate crisis counselors will listen to your concerns, provide support and connect you with local resources.

LEARN MORE: ldh.la.gov/news/LA988
From SingleCare: Did you know your health insurance will reimburse you for sunscreen?

If sunscreen happens to be on your shopping list, do yourself a favor before swinging by the drugstore and check your benefits—it may very well reimburse your sunscreen costs. Meaning, you can save your skin and your money at the same time! Here’s what you need to know about using a health account to get reimbursed for sunscreen.
Young Leaders UNITED: Introducing the 2022-23 Cabinet


We're excited to announce the 2022-23 Young Leaders UNITED Cabinet!
Through volunteer, social, and career development opportunities, members of Young Leaders UNITED develop skills, knowledge, and a relationship with United Way NELA to create lasting change for generations to come through their engagement with Young Leaders UNITED and United Way NELA. They also have the opportunity to cultivate philanthropic giving alongside impact work.

The goal of Young Leaders UNITED is to enable members to build long-term, meaningful engagement with United Way, and to cultivate the future volunteer leaders of United Way and its community partners.
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 [email protected].
Connect with us!
United Way of Northeast Louisiana | unitedwaynela.org