United Way of Northwest Louisiana

Here are a few highlights from our Day of Service with Caddo Parish Public Schools! 🎉🎉🎉

Congratulations to Werner Park Elementary School on winning the Spirit Award for showing their volunteer spirit on social media!

A huge THANK YOU to every student, teacher, and faculty member who dedicated their time to serving our community's nonprofits last Saturday. Volunteer teams dispersed across Shreveport-Bossier to aid agencies in completing projects or held collection drives to gather essential items to support the agencies' missions. Saturday was a day full of love, and it warms our hearts to see so many young volunteers eager to lend a helping hand. We can't wait to share the impact results from Caddo's Day of Service. Stay tuned for the results and for pictures from our collection drives! ❤

No tricks! Just tons of treats as we stepped out into our community for fun Halloween events by Bossier Parish Libraries and AmeriHealth Caritas! 🎃👻

Last Friday, we attended Bossier Parish Libraries' Trunk or Treat event, where we passed out candy and informed attendees of United Way resources. 🍭🍬

Last week, we also attended AmeriHealth Caritas' Care Fest, where adults could receive free health screenings, kids could have their faces painted, and so much more. We had fun having attendees paint at our booth and getting to tell them about our education programs. 👻🎨

Thank you for having us, Bossier Parish Libraries & AmeriHealth Caritas! ❤

Happy Halloween from United Way of Northwest Louisiana! 👻🍬 Please be safe and have a SPOOKTACULAR day!

We are proud to announce that our President & CEO, LaToria "Tori" W. Thomas, has been named the Outstanding Fundraising Executive by the Association of Fundraising Professionals - North Louisiana Chapter! 🎊🎊🎊

AFP holds an awards ceremony for National Philanthropy Day every year, recognizing our community’s most outstanding philanthropists and volunteers. Tori was nominated and selected based on her unwavering dedication to our community through her fundraising, volunteer, and leadership efforts.

Since Tori’s time at United Way, she has made many advancements, including increasing grant funding, campaign revenue, education resources, and essential needs resources for our organization. We are proud to have her as the guiding light for the organization and the community at large. Congratulations, Tori! ❤️

To learn more about Tori and this outstanding achievement, please visit https://unitedwaynwla.org/2023/10/30/united-ways-latoria-w-thomas-is-named-outstanding-fundraising-executive/

Thank you for serving our community, Riverside Elementary! ❤

Awesome job, Judson Magnet! 😍 Thank you for your partnership. ❤

YMDS Cheerleaders and Spartanline volunteered with Pet Savers today! Thank you for your volunteerism, girls! 🫶

Thank you for your volunteerism, YMDS Pep Squad! ❤️

Tomorrow kicks off our 6th Day of Service with Caddo Parish Public Schools! 🎉 Volunteer teams of students, teachers, and faculty from Caddo Schools will disperse across Shreveport-Bossier to help our nonprofit friends complete various projects, such as lawn maintenance, community clean-ups, gardening, organizing facilities, and so much more. We are excited for another impactful day of showing love to our community and can't wait to see how !

Volunteer school teams! 🚨 Don't forget to tag us and use the hashtag when you share your posts on Facebook so our community can see your impactful work and you can gain points towards earning the Caddo Day of Service Spirit Award.

Last Saturday, we had a blast attending Red River National Wildlife Refuge's Wildlife Celebration! 🌿🐞🐿️ We were able to spread awareness of our essential programs and services, enroll children in Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, and celebrate a day full of community and nature. ❤️

Congratulations to our board member, Paige Lasyone, for being named one of the Greater Minden Chamber's 15 Under 40 honorees! 🎊

Paige is the assistant vice president and branch manager of Regions Bank and an active community member. She is a hand-raiser who has helped bring sucess to our organization through her passion for our education initiatives. We are proud to have her as a board member, advocate, and volunteer, and we are excited for her to receive this well-deserved recognition. Thank you, Paige, for all that you do and congratulations!

The Literacy League Program, a joint initiative by United Way of Northwest Louisiana and SPAR, is officially underway, marking the beginning of a transformative journey for young minds! 🌟 Our Literacy League is more than just a program; it's a vibrant movement and a community-driven endeavor aimed at nurturing the magic of literacy among children aged 5-17.

But guess what? It's not too late to get involved! While the program has kicked off, there's still time to enroll your children. We are eagerly inviting parents and guardians to sign up their youngsters for this empowering literacy adventure.

So, what's the buzz all about? Enthusiastic volunteers, approved and brimming with zeal, have joined hands with us to engage with children attending the SPAR Recreation After School Program. These dedicated volunteers commit to spending quality time, at least three to five times a week, working one-on-one with these young minds. Together, we're diving into the captivating world of words, unlocking imaginations, and fostering a profound love for reading! 📖✨

At Literacy League, we firmly believe that literacy is not merely a skill; it's a superpower that opens doors to infinite possibilities. With Literacy League, we are constructing bridges to a future where every child emerges confident, articulate, and prepared to conquer the world armed with knowledge! 🌍🚀

This month, in partnership with SPAR, we officially launched the United Way Literacy League! 🎊 The Literacy League is a new United Way initiative aimed at improving literacy rates for our community's students. Daily, volunteers will work with students between the ages of 5 and 17, providing them with literacy-based materials and activities designed to help with their reading ability. We are so grateful for this new partnership with SPAR and look forward to seeing the impact this new initiative has on our kids of the future!

If you are passionate about working with children and interested in becoming a Literacy League volunteer, please visit https://unitedwaynwla.org/literacy-league/

Here's a shout-out to our partner companies running United Way Workplace Campaigns this month! ⭐ Thank you, partners, for joining us in the fight to improve the health, education, financial stability, and essential needs of everyone in our community. Your collective generosity is making a difference in thousands of lives. ❤️

Enterprise Holdings
Haynes International, Inc.
Origin Bank
Purina
Querbes & Nelson
Shreve Memorial Library
AT&T

Thank you for your support and volunteerism, Argent Financial Group! We couldn’t make a difference without you. ❤️

We have some AMAZING boss ladies on the United Way team! ⭐ Yesterday was National Boss's Day, and we got to show these three women our gratitude for their dedicated leadership, mentorship, and overall support of our team. These trailblazers are uplifting, caring, and truly inspiring. Our team feels lucky and proud to be led by such remarkable women. Thank you, Tori, Jennifer, and Rashida, for everything you do! ❤️

Earlier this month, a couple of kiddos enrolled in Dolly Parton's Imagination Library volunteered to help us make thank-you banners for our supporting local libraries, Bossier Parish Libraries & Shreve Memorial Library! 👋🎨🖌️

These banners symbolize our gratitude to the libraries, and the branches with the highest participation in their United Way Workplace Campaign will receive the banner to hang up in their library branch. We are so grateful to Bossier Libraries and Shreve Memorial for their continuous partnership and support of our programs like the Imagination Library. ❤️

Meet Demetrius! ⭐️ He graciously shared his impactful story with us about how the Shreveport Financial Empowerment Center (SFEC) and United Way's Caddo Employee Assistance Fund helped change his life when he was close to falling deeper into financial insecurity. Demetrius' story serves as a beacon of hope for those who find themselves in similar situations. We are proud to be a part of his journey toward financial stability! ❤

The SFEC is brought to you by a direct partnership with the City of Shreveport Government. To learn more about the SFEC and other resources provided by United Way, please visit unitedwaynwla.org.

Watch Demetrius' video here 👉 https://youtu.be/SF2Dp6niqp8

Demetrius Wiggin's Impact Story To learn more about the Shreveport Financial Empowerment Center and 211. please visit unitedwaynwla.org.

Last week, we had another successful corporate volunteer project! ✨ Argent Financial Group created and assembled 100 snack packs filled with an assortment of nutritional snack foods and notes of encouragement to benefit the children of Community Renewal International. We are grateful for Argent's continuous support as they not only have shown their volunteer spirit, but they also run a workplace campaign every year to help propel our mission. Thank you, Argent Financial Group, for your continued partnership! ❤️

Happy National Savings Day! 💰💡

Today is a reminder to celebrate the importance of financial responsibility and the power of saving for a secure and prosperous future. Whether you're just starting on your savings journey or you're a seasoned pro, there's always room to learn, grow, and improve your financial well-being, and you don't have to do it alone!

In partnership with the City of Shreveport Government, we offer one-on-one professional financial counseling as a free public service to residents through the Shreveport Financial Empowerment Center. Our financial counselors are prepared to help you meet your financial goals by creating a custom plan to fit your needs. Learn more and get started today by visiting shreveportfec.as.me/schedule.php or dialing 318.677.2504.

Did you know our organization offers meaningful volunteer opportunities for your company or organization to get involved in? ✨ Recently, Bossier Federal Credit Union helped us create and assemble snack packs to aid children who sometimes don't know where and when they'll receive their next meal. Thanks to Bossier Federal's volunteerism, 60 snack packs were sent to Community Renewal International's MLK Friendship House. Thank you, Bossier Federal, for helping fight hunger in our community! ❤️

If you would like to learn more or sign up for a corporate volunteer project, please visit https://unitedwaynwla.org/corporate-volunteering/

Today is , an opportunity to talk about , share tips and advice, and remind everyone that it's always okay to ask for help if you're struggling. ❤️

We're looking for two Louisiana 211 Referral & Care Coordinators to join our team for a nine-month temporary position! ⭐ The Louisiana 211 Referral & Care Coordinator is responsible for...

👉 Leveraging human service solutions available through the Louisiana 211 Referral Network and local relationships with service providers to locate help to meet identified needs.
👉 Advising on other types of referral options and/or services available to help address root causes (Example: Addressing social determinants of health or chronic needs)
👉 Providing effective referral and care coordination leveraging technology and available community referral resources using an established method and framework

To learn more about this position and apply today, please visit unitedwaynwla.org/careers

A few weeks ago, we visited Brookdale Bossier City for a Bunco tournament in support of our organization! ❤️ We had an absolute blast visiting with residents and telling them about the difference they are making in our community. Thank you, Brookdale, for a fun day and for your commitment to building a stronger Northwest Louisiana! 💪

🌍📊 Happy World Financial Planning Day! 📊🌍

Today, we celebrate the importance of financial planning in securing our future and achieving our dreams. 💰✨

💡 Financial planning isn't just about managing your money; it's about creating a roadmap for your goals and aspirations. Whether it's buying your dream home, traveling the world, or retiring comfortably, a well-thought-out financial plan can make it all possible, and you know the best part? You don't have to do it alone!

In partnership with the City of Shreveport Government, we offer one-on-one professional financial counseling as a free public service to residents through the Shreveport Financial Empowerment Center. Our financial counselors are prepared to help you meet your financial goals by creating a custom plan to fit your needs. Learn more and get started today by visiting https://shreveportfec.as.me/schedule.php or dialing 318.677.2504.

💪 Let's empower ourselves and our loved ones with financial knowledge and smart money management. Together, we can build a brighter, more secure future. 💪

Here are a few highlights from our 9th Day of Service with Bossier Schools last Saturday! 🌟

We want to say a huge THANK YOU to every student, teacher, and faculty who dedicated their time to serving our community's nonprofits. Volunteer teams dispersed across Shreveport-Bossier on Saturday to aid agencies in completing projects, or they held collection drives to gather essential items to support the agencies' missions. Saturday was a day full of love, and it warms our hearts to see so many young volunteers eager to lend a helping hand. We can't wait to share the impact results from Bossier's Day of Service. Stay tuned! ❤

CONGRATULATIONS to our Associate Director of Communications, Paige Melton, as she has been recognized and awarded by the Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF) for her outstanding public relations practices around the United Way Book Club! 🎉 SPRF award-winning entries demonstrating process excellence and results earned Certificates of Merit and Awards of Excellence, with top projects and programs earning Lantern Awards. Paige received a Lantern Award for her ex*****on of the Book Club through effective marketing, communications, and public relations implementations.

The Book Club was launched in November 2022 to raise funds in an effort to expand and increase enrollment for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, our educational program dedicated to mailing free books to children from birth to age five. Paige's contributions to the United Way Book Club helped allow us to surpass our fundraising goal of $50,000 and raise more than $66,000 for the Imagination Library. We are so proud of Paige and feel lucky to have her be the voice of our organization! ❤️

Check out Benton High School and learn about their Day of Service project with Bossier Schools, highlighted in the Shreveport Times! Thank you, Shreveport Times, for sharing our community-wide day of impact. ❤

United Way’s ninth annual ‘Day of Service’ with Bossier Parish Schools United Way’s ninth annual ‘Day of Service’ where they partner with Bossier Parish Schools in a community-based volunteer opportunity.

Thank you for supporting our community, R.V. Kerr Elementary! ❤