More than 1 and 2 households in Southeast Louisiana are struggling. These stories are a snapshot of the thousands of people we help. United Way creates pathways to prosperity every day and needs your help to build more.
Maggie and Dale
Maggie and Dale were struggling to save to buy a home while dealing with increasing rent and expenses. Would they be forced to move to a different city to get by?
Andrea and Kean
Andrea lost her hospitality industry job and health insurance during the pandemic, forcing the delay of an important surgery for her young son’s club foot condition. With travel and medical costs mounting, Andrea didn’t know how she would afford the new specialty brace Kean needed after his surgery...
Pearlissa
A lack of access to quality, affordable child care forces parents to miss work opportunities and prevents children from receiving important early learning experiences. “I get those phone calls with parents who just need their children to go somewhere so they can work,” shared Royal Castle Administrative Assistant Pearlissa...
Zwila and Zen
At 26 months old, Zen was diagnosed with a severe language delay and later diagnosed with Autism. Through the enrollment in a United Way partner program, Zen has been able to thrive in an environment that fosters his socialization and language skills...
Joaquin and Bunny Lee
Joaquin and Bunny Lee sustained devastating damage to their home and business in the floods of 2016. They were able to escape the floodwaters on a boat, but the greater challenge was to navigate the roadblocks over their own recovery. Like so many of our neighbors, they work hard but struggle to make ends meet...
Kristy
After being held hostage, choked, beaten, and severely battered by her abuser, Kristy feared for her life and knew she needed to do something to protect her children. Kristy found the counseling and support she needed through United Way programs and we continue to create historic policy change...
Terry
Poverty had Terry on the wrong path. Formerly incarcerated and facing a lack of opportunity, Terry was finding it more difficult to get his life on track. After enrolling in United Way’s financial stability services, Terry has a renewed outlook for he and his family’s future...