Yesterday, on the one-month anniversary of Hurricane Ida’s landfall, United Way of Southeast Louisiana (UWSELA) announced a $1-million investment in local rebuilding efforts via long-term recovery groups (LTRG) serving Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa and Washington parishes.
Each LTRG – a collaboration of nonprofit, government, faith-based, business and other organizations – works within its respective communities to help households recover from the effects of Ida.
Michael Williamson, UWSELA president and CEO said United Way is banding together with local partners to start the recovery process, and the first step is making foundational funding available.
After Hurricane Katrina, UWSELA played a critical role in local LTRGs, helping convene and organize, avoid duplicative efforts, and serve the community’s unmet needs. In the wake of Ida, UWSELA will do much of the same, working in concert with partners to support and/or reestablish LTRGs in its seven-parish service area with the assistance of UWSELA’s new long-term recovery staff specialist.
UWSELA is also prepared to deploy its Prosperity Center services, offering an array of expert financial capability education, counseling, coaching and resources to help families regain stability and be better prepared for the next disaster.
