After over a decade of significant decreases, the number of individuals experiencing homelessness in Jefferson and Orleans parishes dropped by just nine people from 2018 to 2019. 

This fact is revealed in new point-in-time data from UNITY of Greater New Orleans, a United Way community partner leading a collaborative of over 60 agencies that provide housing and services to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. 

This Saturday, May 4, voters in Jefferson Parish will provide a response to the title question as they cast their votes in the Jefferson Parish Schools’ educator pay raise millage election. Before you answer the question yourself, I’d like to share my thoughts on the tax measure.

Living in Southeast Louisiana, we understand that being impacted by a hurricane or heavy storm is not a question of if, but when. It is a fact of life, and we must take the weather seriously – even unnamed storms.

Hurricane season is approaching quickly (June 1-November 30). The first full week of May is earmarked as Hurricane Preparedness Week to bring awareness to the dangers and hazards of tropical cyclones. Take this time BEFORE hurricane season to create a plan for your household and start collecting supplies.

Game-Changer Spotlight: Bob Kimbro

 We are more than the fundraisers. We are the hand raisers. The game changers. The-stop-talking-start-doing-band-together-and-take-on-the-impossible-task-masters.

Did you learn the difference between banks and credit unions in school? What about pitfalls of payday loans? 

Many individuals lack a basic knowledge of how to plan, save, and invest – making it hard for them to build wealth and secure their financial future.

We know that financial hardship is a widespread issue in our region. Data from the latest United Way ALICE Report shows nearly 1 in 2 households in Southeast Louisiana is in poverty or living paycheck to paycheck.