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UNITED WAY OF
SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA

Building Stronger
Communities, Together.

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WAYS TO HELP

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Blueprint For Prosperity

WE HAVE A PLAN

Our United Way has embarked on a journey to renew our approach to creating lasting change. Through research and engagement, it became clear that poverty is the fundamental issue in the region and the root cause of many of our social problems. This led United Way to a bold mission and plan to eradicate poverty. The aim of this plan is to present a compelling path forward toward a stronger, more prosperous region. We want businesses and individuals to join us in developing strategies and partnerships. Together, we can educate and empower people to help lift them out of poverty to create a stronger, better community.

OVERVIEW

WHO IS STRUGGLING AND WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO THE COMMUNITY?

Our most recent data shows that 18% of Southeast Louisiana’s population lived in poverty in 2023. While this figure is daunting, it fails to capture many individuals and families who struggle to afford basic needs, including housing, childcare, healthcare, food, and transportation.

ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) identifies the struggle of an additional 31% of Southeast Louisiana households, comprised of hard-working taxpayers who don’t fit the traditional idea of poverty given their employment status. ALICE households are living paycheck to paycheck, unable to save, and unable to afford the cost of living in their parish.

WHEN ALICE FAMILIES AND THOSE LIVING IN POVERTY SUFFER, WE ALL SUFFER.

The success of a community is directly related to the financial stability of its members.

Rent or electric bill? Food or prescription drug? For too many hardworking households, impossible decisions such as these are a way of life. When ALICE is forced to make difficult choices, the entire community faces consequences. 

THE VISION

Our bold vision takes a holistic approach to solving these problems through collective impact – which involves businesses, nonprofits, foundations, government, churches, schools, and YOU coming together to break down silos, align programs and resources, and set shared goals.

We want others to be inspired by our vision and partner with us in this collective impact approach to quality jobs, growing incomes, and better health and education opportunities in every parish in the region.

THE BLUEPRINT FOR PROSPERITY

OUR PLAN

The Blueprint for Prosperity is a plan to move people out of poverty in our region and requires a change in the way our entire community approaches the issue, creating pathways for prosperity for generations to come.

Our Blueprint is driving our investments in the community to programs and collaborations that provide long-term solutions focused on ending poverty. We are inspiring others to adopt our vision, informing others with data and innovative practices so they can accelerate their own impact, and initiating new collaborations where there are gaps.

Only through proactive collaboration can we have the critical impact necessary to make our Blueprint for Prosperity a reality for all.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED?

Our Blueprint for Prosperity empowers communities with the knowledge and resources to tackle the root causes of poverty.  Our comprehensive approach means when you team up with us, your support has greater impact.

GIVE
SPEAK OUT
VOLUNTEER

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.