Monthly News from United Way of Northeast Louisiana

August 2023 Edition

PACESETTER CAMPAIGNS

Thank you to our Pacesetter Campaigns!

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 2023 Pacesetter Companies from across our region!

Regional Parishes

Century Next Bank; Community Financial Insurance Center; Monroe Chamber of Commerce; Ouachita Parish Assessor's Office.

Lincoln, Union, and Jackson Parishes

Century Next Bank; Crossmark Management Group; Hunt, Guillot & Associates; Union Parish School District.

READ.LEARN.SUCCEED.

Watch the video above to hear from Taylor Cagle with Origin Bank. Taylor is one of our outstanding READ.LEARN.SUCCEED. Volunteers!

Did you know? Studies show that students who can't read on grade level by the end of 3rd grade are four times LESS likely to graduate from high school.

Launched in partner schools during the 2012-13 school year, United Way NELA's READ.LEARN.SUCCEED. initiative was designed to help place area students on a good path toward school success by improving their reading skills, ultimately increasing their chances of graduating high school.

READ.LEARN.SUCCEED. pairs trained community volunteers with 2nd or 3rd grade students at 18 partner schools across our region to become one-on-one Volunteer Readers or Pen-Friends. These volunteers and their assigned students practice and sharpen reading and writing skills monthly from October through 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.

Are you ready to make a measurable difference in the life of a local elementary student? Look no further!

Medical Mission / Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) Recap

Thank you to our outstanding volunteers for all the hard work and exemplary efforts put into assisting with the recent Medical Innovative Readiness Training (IRT)!



This Medical Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) took place in both Monroe and West Monroe from Friday, August 4 - Saturday, August 12. The Medical IRT offered NO COST healthcare to the general public, including wellness, vision, mental health, and dental services. No IDs or appointments were required. The public was seen on a first come, first serve basis.

Through volunteer efforts coordinated by United Way of Northeast Louisiana's VolunteerUNITED initiative, 164 volunteers dedicated a total of 532.5 hours of their time to serve during the Medical IRT!

• Total weight of equipment transported: 31,946lbs (valued at $1.4M)
• Total of 1,240 patients seen (4,244 procedures; 576 eyeglasses fabricated and distributed) 
• Fair Market Value of Services Provided estimated at $862,729.21 (including pharmacy)

BankOn NELA:

Job Readiness

On Tuesday, August 22, United Way of Northeast Louisiana hosted a BankOn NELA Job Readiness workshop with Louisiana Workforce Commission and Regions Bank!

This workshop focused on getting participants ready for the workforce. It was designed to boost job-readiness and employability by providing tools to seek, secure, and maintain jobs. Participants learned soft skills , how to build a resume, and prepare for interviews.

This workshop was held in person for those who participated.

Click below to follow us on social media and stay up-to-date on the latest United Way news!

BankOn NELA: Fraud Protection

On Thursday, September 14 and Thursday, September 21, United Way of Northeast Louisiana will host a BankOn NELA Fraud Protection workshop with Bank of Oak Ridge, Centric Federal Credit Union, and Ouachita Valley Federal Credit Union.

This workshop will focus on the signs of fraud and how to recognize and avoid them. Participants will also learn best practices for safeguarding personal information, as well as steps to take to protect their identity should they become victims of fraud. The workshop will also cover the different types of financial fraud, such as phishing, bank fraud, identity theft, and more. Attendees will leave the workshop with a greater understanding of the risk of financial fraud and the steps they can take to protect themselves and their loved ones from potential perpetrators.

There will be one option to attend in person or on Zoom on Thursday, September 14:

12 to 12:30 p.m.

There will be one option to attend in person or on Zoom on Thursday, September 21:

12 to 12:30 p.m.

All workshops will be held in person at the United Way NELA Financial Health Center / Miller Roy Building at 1001 Desiard Street in Monroe and on Zoom. Click the link below or call

318-998-9227 to register.

CAMPAIGN UPDATES

Regional Parishes

On Wednesday, August 23, First Horizon Bank presented us with a corporate gift of $12,000 at their first presentation of the year for their United Way Campaign. We are so thankful for their generous support of our work! #LIVEUNITED

Lincoln, Union, and Jackson Parishes

To close out their United Way Pacesetter Campaign, employees at Hunt, Guillot & Associates enjoyed a team luncheon on Tuesday, August 22nd, at the Lincoln Parish Library Events Center.

Staff Spotlight: Bethany Joiner

Bethany serves as United Way NELA's Community Connection Specialist. In this role, she builds and maintains relationships with community partners, volunteers, and stakeholders while ensuring the successful execution of various community outreach programs and initiatives.   

Bethany is a recent graduate of Louisiana Tech University where she received a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Science. Bethany is passionate about helping people and leading others to opportunities that enable them to succeed.   

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, doing puzzles, and listening to podcasts.

From SingleCare:

How to protect vision and improve eye health:

Taking care of your eyes is crucial for maintaining good vision as you age. Our partner SingleCare offers 9 tips on how to protect your eyes and avoid future problems.

To learn more about how to protect your vision, click below.

From Ready4K:

Family Vocabulary Development:

"I recently got into a debate about learning languages with a fellow educator. Our conversation centered on the question of which language was most complex to learn..."

Click below to keep reading about nurturing vocabulary development!

PHOTOS OF THE MONTH

Regional Parishes



Bethany Joiner, United Way NELA Community Connection Specialist, at the West Monroe Convention Center during the Medical IRT. Bethany helped spread the word about the work that we are doing in our community!

Lincoln, Union, and Jackson Parishes

Pictured from left to right: Patricia Murad, Century Next Bank - Assistant Vice President, Administration; Stephanie Reeves, United Way of Northeast Louisiana - Resource Development Manager; Bill Hogan, Century Next Bank - President/CEO