(Shreveport, LA) – United Way of Northwest Louisiana is helping to improve lives across ten parishes by reinvesting more than $800,000 in local communities. Their annual Community Impact Grant process awarded 23 local nonprofit agencies for the 2019-2020 grant cycle. All funded agencies serve within UWNWLA’s ten parish coverage area.

The funded programs refine lives in the areas of health, education, financial stability and essential needs. The distributed funds are collected during a year-long fundraising effort – most of which is collected through united Way’s workplace campaign. More than 400 companies, organizations coupled with thousands of individual donors participated in the campaign. Through the community’s donations, $841,250 will be reinvested into our communities. This investment is expected to reach more than 50,000 residents living in Northwest Louisiana.

“The issues we face across Northwest Louisiana are complex,” said Dr. Bruce Willson, President and CEO of UWNWLA. “We know that our United Way or any other nonprofit in this area cannot solve all issues alone. The Community Grant Fund allows us to collaborate our services with other local agencies to have a coordinated network and maximize results seen in the community.”

The funds raised each year help thousands of ALICE families. ALICE, which stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, places a spotlight on a large population of hardworking residents who work low-paying jobs, have little or no savings, and are one emergency away from falling into poverty. This population earns more than the federal poverty level yet still struggle to afford basic necessities. In Northwest Louisiana, 28 percent of households are ALICE and 23 percent live at the poverty level as defined by the Federal Poverty guidelines.

The following list makes up the 23 nonprofit agencies to receive a United Way NWLA grant for the 2018-2019 grant cycle:
         

           HEALTH

  1. Martin Luther King Health Center & Pharmacy;Healthy Communities, Healthy Tomorrows $ 7,500
  2. Shreveport Green; ShreveCorps Healthy Head-Start  $ 2,500
  3. Shreveport-Bossier Rescue Mission Life Recovery Program Medical and Dental Clinic $ 2,450
  4. Sights and Sounds Program; Eyeglasses and Hearing Aids for Children $ 750
  5. Luke’s Episcopal Mobile Medical Ministry; General Support $ 1,500

    EDUCATION
  6. Campti Community Development; Summer Enrichment Program $ 3,050
  7. Common Ground Community, Inc.; Family Literacy Initiative $ 6,500
  8. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library; Early Literacy Program $120,000
  9. Family Resources for Education and Empowerment, Inc.;School of Greatness $ 5,000
  10. Renzi Education & Art Center, Inc.; After-school Program $ 1,500
  11. Volunteers for Youth Justice; TASC (Truancy Assessment Service Center) $ 5,000
  12. Volunteers of America of North Louisiana; Lighthouse $ 15,000
  13. Youth Enrichment Program (YEP); YEP Plus $ 2,000

    FINANCIAL STABILITY
  14. Bank On Northwest Louisiana; Building Financial Stability $ 85,000
  15. Financial Empowerment Center; Financial Literacy for Adults $ 350,000
  16. SADIES ARMS, INC.; VITA $ 3,500
  17. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA); Free Tax Preparation $ 5,500

    ESSENTIAL NEEDS
  18. Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana Back Pack Program; $ 20,000
  19. Gingerbread House Bossier/Caddo; Children’s Advocacy Center Child Advocacy $ 6,000
  20. HOPE Connections, Inc.; Coordinated Assessment Program $ 5,000
  21. Louisiana 2-1-1; Health & Human Services Resource Line $ 180,000
  22. Providence House; Early Childhood Education $ 7,500