7/22/21
Over $3 million in forgivable COVID-related loans returned to local child care providers via United for Early Care and Education
NEW ORLEANS – United Way of Southeast Louisiana (UWSELA) and Loyola University New Orleans College of Law Thursday announced the facilitation of over $3 million in federal loan forgiveness to local child care centers through United for Early Care and Education, which provides licensed child care providers with free technical and legal support rolled out in response to COVID-19.
After initially assisting with the application process, the partners helped 26 centers achieve forgiveness for various federal loans and loan interest, including COVID-19 Payroll Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster loans. Program reporting will continue into the fall, at which time the partners will report final figures.
"United for ECE kept us on track with deadlines about all funding," said Rogerlyn Jackson, director of Academy 1 Preschool. "They continued…informing us of what was needed and pushing us to get funding to our business."
United for ECE welcomed 75 providers in Jefferson, Orleans, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa and Washington parishes through three phases of First Draw PPP support, managing over $3 million in forgivable loan funds, and is now assisting centers with Second Draw PPP loans.
Nearly every center in the program faced some form of temporary closure since the beginning of the pandemic, ranging from a few days to several months.
"We are grateful for our United Way donors, the Institute of Mental Hygiene and W.K. Kellogg Foundation for supporting United for Early Care and Education’s critical assistance of our valued providers,” said Jillian Delos Reyes, UWSELA director of education and youth initiatives. "The final forgiveness numbers from First Draw PPP support are still rolling in, but we are currently showing a 1,963% return on investment as a result of this program – a staggering impact within the child care sector that is so essential to our communities."
Currently in phase four of support, United for ECE also offers providers access to free legal assistance, alerts about grant opportunities for small business owners, and resources to comply with federal grant and loan programs.
Please contact UnitedForECE@UnitedWaySELA.org for more information.
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About United Way of Southeast Louisiana
For 95 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.