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YOUNG LEADERS UNITED​

When over half of households in our community are living in poverty or struggling to get by, inaction is not a choice. Young Leaders United (YLU) engages young professionals in United Way of Southeast Louisiana’s work to eradicate poverty and build socially conscious leaders who fight for change. We unite passionate people to create more equitable communities through advocacy, volunteerism, and giving.

HOW TO JOIN

Sign up to receive information on upcoming YLU events via the form below. Members are encouraged to participate in events regularly throughout the year and help raise funds to support United Way’s fight for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in our community.

For more information on YLU or joining the YLU Steering Committee, Contact Brittany Elder via email. You can also join our Facebook group.

SIGNUP TO YOUNG LEADERS UNITED​

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

Access to a network of like-minded young professionals dedicated to improving their communities

Hear from and interact with influential local leaders during exclusive luncheons

Participate in unique volunteer opportunities

Engage with expert advocates and elected officials through our Public Policy work

STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Aurora Olvera, Enterprise Mobility

Ge’Ron Tatum, Teach for America

Dominique Webb, Enterprise Mobility

Natalie Carr, Volunteer

Caitlin Sheehan, College Beyond

Calli Weirick, New York Life

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Your community needs your participation. Volunteer now.

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Young Leaders United

Young Leaders United (YLU), formerly Young Leaders Movement, builds socially conscious leaders who fight for change. YLU unites passionate people to create more equitable communities through advocacy, volunteerism, and giving. Learn More
Mission Ignition

Retire United

Retire United mobilizes the experience, expertise, and resources of individuals who are retired or soon-to-retire to strengthen our community through volunteerism and philanthropy. Learn More
Mission Ignition

Tocqueville Society

Tocqueville Society members unite to increase United Way’s capacity to stabilize families, help children succeed, and empower healthy living. An annual gift of $10,000 places you among this uniquely engaged group of philanthropists. Learn More
Mission Ignition

Mission Ignition

The mission of the program and of the student board is to make service fun and engaging for high school students by turning it into a competition and encouraging a sense of community while inspiring philanthropic lifestyles that transcend graduation requirements. Learn More
Mission Ignition

OUR GROUPS​

Within United Way, groups of like-minded people are inspiring their peers to make a difference. Together, we are more than the sum of our parts. Together, we can change the world.
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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.