It’s an unfortunate fact. A child’s ability to read proficiently by the end of third grade predicts his or her future. Why is third grade so crucial? Third grade marks the transition when students move from learning to read to reading to learn. If a child cannot read by the end of third grade, he or she is less likely to catch up, less likely to graduate from high school, and less likely to earn family-sustaining wages as an adult.

“If you want to see things happen at a global level, start at the village level. Give women the tools and education and they will drive the change.” - Melinda Gates.  

Women United, formerly known as WLC, here in Southeast Louisiana has been the driving force of change to improve the lives of women and children throughout our region. Over the past 15 years, Women United has invested $2.4 million to benefit programs critical to the well-being of women and children in our community.

September is National Preparedness Month, an important reminder to get your household weather-ready for the most active days of hurricane season. Its ruthless peak stirs anxiety at home as we watch our neighbors to the west await Harvey’s final toll and our neighbors to the east encounter Irma’s fury.

In a region that has had our share of disasters, August 29th is a day that our community will never forget. Twelve years after the flooding that followed Hurricane Katrina, we’re still impacted by the emotions.