DONATE

DONATE

UNITED WAY OF
SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA

Building Stronger
Communities, Together.

DONATE

Donate

Speak Out

Volunteer

Join a Group

Corporate Partnerships

Connect

Connect

Connect

Blog

Press Releases

Radio

Newsletter

Event Calender

Join a Group

Retire United

Tocqueville Society

Women United

Young Leaders United

Find Help

Our Programs

Prosperity Center

Disaster Resources

Community Partners

Grant Opportunities

Our Impact

Blueprint for Prosperity

Our Strategic Plan

ALICE

Prosperity Dashboard

Our Stories

Investment Portfolio

Katrina@20

Blog

News

Calendar

Radio

Connect

WAYS TO HELP

OUR GROUPS

HOW WE HELP

Our Impact

The Refresh

If you’ve noticed a fresh look from United Way lately, you’re not imagining things. United Ways across the world are unveiling a bold new brand strategy designed to help our network stay relevant, impactful, and connected as we head into our next century of service. 

 

This refresh isn’t just about a new logo (though you’ll spot an updated one, unboxed and energized). It’s about telling a clearer story of who we are, what we stand for, and how we work hand-in-hand with our communities to create lasting change. 

 

The new United Way brand promise is simple, but powerful: we mobilize communities to action, so that all can thrive. That’s a mission that’s never felt more urgent, especially here in Southeast Louisiana. 

 

We know the challenges our neighbors are facing. The cost of living is up, essential services are stretched thin, and natural disasters seem to strike harder and more often. But through it all, our community shows up.  

 

We’ve seen it time and again in our own work, through initiatives like our Prosperity Centers, disaster relief efforts, and our ALICE® (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) advocacy. And that’s the spirit at the heart of the new campaign: United is the Way™. 

 

Yes, this is a global refresh. But it’s also a moment for us at United Way of Southeast Louisiana to reintroduce ourselves too. That’s why we’re rolling out our own updated look and launching a new local website to match. The updated site makes it easier to get help and give help, whether that’s through donating, volunteering, or speaking out. 

 

Remember, dollars raised here stay here. And all our funding decisions are overseen by our local volunteers and staff. 

 

At the end of the day, our brand is only as strong as the people who power it. That’s you. Our donors, partners, and volunteers are what make United Way work. This new chapter is about making it easier for all of us to come together, take action, and make real change happen. 

 

Angela F. Williams, President and CEO of United Way Worldwide, said it best:  
“It’s imperative that we help our over 1,000 affiliates engage the next generation of philanthropists who will carry forward their community-critical work.” 

 

We couldn’t agree more. While it only takes one person to spark change, it takes all of us working together to build a community where everyone can thrive. 

 

So take a moment to explore our new website, sign up for our newsletter, and follow along on social.  

 

Reintroduce yourself to United Way. Your United Way. 

 

Because the challenges may evolve, but our mission doesn’t. 
 

United is the Way forward. 

 

Missy Romagosa 

Vice President of Marketing and Programs
United Way of Southeast Louisiana

 

Helena Moreno

Campaign Email:  letsgo@helenamorenola.com
Contact Phone Number:  (504) 655-2878


Campaign Website and Social Media Handles
www.helenamorenola.com
@HelenamorenoHQ  |  @helenamorenola

Commitment: If elected, would you dedicate additional funding in the City budget for early care and education?

Yes.

If so, how would you prioritize it in the budget?

Both in the state legislature and city council, I’ve been a strong supporter of bringing early childhood education to New Orleans. In 2018, we allocated the first $1.5M in city funds for additional seats. As Council President, we doubled that to $3M. I was the lead author to put the pre-k millage on the ballot, providing millions more. I will continue this work as mayor. As for additional funding for pre-k, is there anything more important? We have demonstrated to the public that local government can make progress on this issue with increased resources. There are competing priorities, especially when it comes to drainage, but our kids desperately need pre-k, and so do our parents, who are under pressure to be both caregiver and financial provider.

Commitment:  If elected, will you use your power and platform to advocate at the state and federal levels for sustained early childhood funding? If yes, please describe the specific actions you will take to do this.

Yes.

Every leader at the local, state, and federal levels should be working together to provide high-quality early childhood education to our young people. I will always shout from the rooftops about the enormous benefits of Head Start and pre-k, along with Medicaid, SNAP, public housing, and kids’ programming on PBS. As mayor, I will lead a broad intergovernmental relations effort with constant coordination between city leadership, the legislative delegation, and advocates. I don’t think anyone is listening, for now, but that can change. More broadly, this is why the mayoral election is so important. New Orleans needs to stand on its own two feet. No one is coming to rescue us, so we must be strong in the face of unprecedented economic, environmental, and political headwinds.

Commitment: If elected, will you commit to ensuring our early care and education providers can keep their doors open, grow their business, pay a living wage to their teachers, and help ensure families and educators can continue to afford to live in the city? If yes, please describe the specific actions you will take to do this.

Yes.

Child care providers will have a strong supporter in the mayor’s office when I am elected. Our city hall will serve as a hub, connecting needs and resources, with a focus on streamlining red tape for critical service providers, such as those offering child care. It is not enough to have more early childhood seats; we need quality. Even at current levels of local and state funding, pre-K early education programs exist in an environment where low wages are the norm and facilities are often in disrepair. The current climate at the state and federal levels may preclude additional funds. Yet, at the local level, as I mentioned earlier, is there anything more important than pre-k? We have demonstrated to the public that local government can make progress on this issue with increased resources.

Commitment: If elected, would you commit to ensuring essential local workers – including those in city government – can access childcare through local providers, and that private sector employers do their part in ensuring their employees can access the childcare they need to work, be productive, and grow our economy? If yes, please elaborate on how you would fulfill this commitment.

Yes.

I will always advocate amongst employers and at the state level for a real-living wage that can provide for a family. In workplaces across New Orleans and at city hall, I see parents working double time, struggling to keep up due to a lack of child care. Part of the answer is more public school seats for children aged 6 months to 4 years old. For older kids, I want NORD to do more. A lot more. I have been a leader in expanding NORD’s budget to record highs. Now the goal is to maximize services during non-school hours. Summer enrichment is especially crucial to prevent any backslide. In short, I want to usher in a NORD Renaissance, especially after school. This would go a long way, especially for working parents who need a few more critical hours of support before they can leave work.

Commitment: If elected, will you commit to maintaining this office and protecting these investments?

Yes.

How will you ensure these efforts are sustained beyond your term and are prioritized in future budgets?

Yes. I helped lead the effort for early childhood education with Agenda for Children, and I will commit to maintaining and protecting these early childhood investments. They were hard won, and we cannot lose them. If anything, we need an expansion, which will be the key subject of future budgets, which must balance ALL the city’s needs. The bottom line: we must support families, or else they will simply leave, and New Orleans will not have a future.