June 6, 2023
$100k to be distributed to 13 Orleans Parish youth-serving program providers
NEW ORLEANS – United Way of Southeast Louisiana (UWSELA) Tuesday announced the recipients of the 2023 Summer Impact Grants, continuing its mission to enhance the number and quality of summer services available to children and youth in New Orleans.
UWSELA is providing $100,000 in grant funding to 13 Orleans Parish nonprofits aligned with the New Orleans Youth Master Plan (YMP) and focused on serving young people of color, ages 11 to 24, living below the ALICE Threshold. Priority was given to small (budget under $500,000) BIPOC-led youth-serving organizations.
“The summer months are often the most challenging for our ALICE households as many of the supportive services youth receive during the school year are unavailable,” said Dr. Takeisha Davis, UWSELA Chairwoman. “Our Summer Impact Grants acknowledge and support the work of our community partners who share our commitment to young people and provide quality programming that helps close the gaps in summer learning loss and economic opportunity.”
The funded programs include:
- ABOUT FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT | Summer Social Set 2023: Life Kit
- Cultivating Youth | Athletic Summer Camp
- Electric Girls | 2023 STEM Summer Camp
- Eternal Seeds | 2023 Summer Session
- Faubourg St. Roch Improvement Association | RE(ad) TREAT
- The Foundation For Science and Mathematics Education | STEP Up
- Friends of New Orleans Public Library | NOPL Summer Fun and Reading Program
- Jesus Project Ministries | Junior Student Training and Enrichment Next Level Leadership Workshop
- Phoenix Communities of NOLA | Career & Arts Teen Camp
- Pink Nails | ReDefine Mentorship
- Trinity Community Center | Summer Leadership Development
- YEAH! YOGA | Summer Youth Empowerment & Healing Program
- The Youth Initiative | Youth Initiative
The latest ALICE Report research indicates that 66% of youth (3-17 years old) in the city’s most vulnerable neighborhoods live in households that can’t afford a minimum household budget. These families struggle to cover basic costs and often cannot afford summertime enrichment activities for youth.
The various programs all provide services focused on one of the YMP’s key areas: Space & Place, Health & Well-being, Youth Voice, Learning, Safety & Justice and Economic Stability. Successful implementation of the grants will help close the achievement gap, improve health outcomes, reduce crime, and scale summer programs in underserved neighborhoods.
“Sixty program providers in the city requested over half a million in funding through this grants process, further highlighting the urgent need to raise additional support for our summer programs and their participants,” said Michael Williamson, UWSELA President and CEO. “Thanks to our generous donors, these grants will make a meaningful contribution to the well-being of our youth this summer, but we need significant, sustained support to drive the transformational change our young people so desperately need.”
This summer marks the second year of the grant opportunity. In 2022, UWSELA and Baptist Community Ministries awarded grants to 37 nonprofits in Orleans Parish. The funding reached 3,519 young people through 10,981 program hours and helped participants get on track in school, improve their well-being, cultivate their interests, and prepare for post-secondary education and the workforce.
Individuals and businesses interested in funding future summer grant opportunities can contribute online at UnitedWaySELA.org/Donate by pledging a gift and adding “Summer Grants” to the contribution note.
Learn more about the 2023 Summer Impact Grants at UnitedWaySELA.org/YouthInvestments.
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About United Way of Southeast Louisiana
For nearly 100 years, United Way of Southeast Louisiana (UWSELA) has been a leader and trusted partner in improving lives and making a lasting difference. We fight to eradicate poverty by preparing people for quality jobs, growing incomes, and affording better health and education opportunities throughout Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington parishes. We have a bold vision of equitable communities where all individuals are healthy, educated, and financially stable – and we have a plan. United Way of Southeast Louisiana’s Blueprint for Prosperity guides all strategic investments in programs, initiatives, collaborations, volunteerism, and advocacy aimed at tackling poverty. For more information, please visit UnitedWaySELA.org. Find us on social: @UnitedWaySELA.