United Way opens Prosperity Center in New Orleans East
New center is the first of its kind in New Orleans East, offering comprehensive financial stability services
August 20, 2024
NEW ORLEANS - United Way of Southeast Louisiana (UWSELA) opened the doors Tuesday to the New Orleans East Prosperity Center – the first one-stop financial capability education center serving New Orleans East residents and fourth of its kind for UWSELA – joining locations in Mid City, Covington, and Bogalusa.
“The opening of the New Orleans East Prosperity Center is a positive step in United Way’s efforts to close the racial wealth gap and create more equity in access to services and resources across Southeast Louisiana,” said Michael Williamson, UWSELA President and CEO. “Our centers’ no-judgment approach, expert financial capability staff and proven programs have already helped participants in other parishes achieve significant increases in their credit scores, savings and asset ownership. We can’t wait to see the results here in New Orleans.”
The New Orleans East Prosperity Center, located at 8324 Morrison Rd., represents a major milestone in UWSELA’s ongoing mission to foster financial stability and asset ownership across its service area. Designed to provide a range of essential services, the center aims to improve financial well-being and create pathways to wealth for residents. Services will include:
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Financial Education – Group seminars covering a broad spectrum of financial topics
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Financial Coaching – gives participants control by teaching them to outline specific personal financial goals and hold themselves accountable for achieving those goals with one-on-one support
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Financial Counseling – one-on-one instruction to help participants manage and reduce debt and take positive steps to improve their credit
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Access to Safe and Affordable Financial Products – Provide alternative options to high-cost financial service providers (e.g. check cashers and payday lenders)
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Access to Federal and State Benefits – Comprehensive screening to determine federal and state eligibility for participants
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Free Tax Preparation Assistance – Inclusive tax preparation services integrated with financial education
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Incentivized Savings Program – Matched-savings program designed to encourage savings behavior for specified assets
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Asset Ownership Programs – Wealth building programming designed to help participants purchase and maintain assets, like a home, business, or post-secondary degree
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Workforce Development Soft Skills – a combination of soft skills training that enables participants to navigate their environment, work well with others, perform well and achieve employment
The center is strategically positioned on the city’s bus route – stop #1593 (Morrison at Crowder) on route #62 Morrison-Bullard – ensuring that the services are accessible to residents who may rely on public transit.
“We know that the challenges of financial instability disproportionately affect communities of color, contributing to a persistent racial wealth gap across our city,”
added Ron McClain, UWSELA Board of Trustees Chair. “Through this center, we aim to empower individuals and families to overcome these barriers and build generational wealth. Our mission is to ensure that every client who walks through these doors has the opportunity to reach their full potential, unlocking the promise of a more equitable future.”
UWSELA’s designed the center’s programming to target the 63% of households in New Orleans East living below the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) Threshold. Households below the ALICE Threshold don't earn enough money to afford a basic survival budget, including housing, transportation, health care, child care, food and technology or save for an emergency.
According to the United for ALICE Project, having a low income is often associated with lower levels of education, higher rates of unemployment and poorer health. UWSELA is committed to disrupting these associations in Orleans Parish through the new center's proven approach and its full suite of programs and partners focused on stabilizing households living under the ALICE Threshold.
“Our staff's compassion and passion for helping families achieve their full potential are what make these centers so effective,” said Chiquita Lattimore, UWSELA Sr. VP of Community Impact Financial Capability Initiatives. “Our Prosperity Centers are truly a place where people are empowered to take control of their financial destinies. We’ve seen individuals who came to us feeling overwhelmed by financial challenges leave with the confidence and skills to build the future of their dreams.”
The public is invited to learn more about the center's hours and services online at UnitedWaySELA.org/ProsperityCenter.
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About United Way of Southeast Louisiana
For 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.
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