United for NOLA Progress Updates and Response Timeline

 

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This timeline provides an overview of United Way of Southeast Louisiana’s ongoing response to the New Year’s Day attack, including updates on the United for New Orleans Relief Fund, aid distributions, and collaborative efforts with local and national partners. 

While major milestones are highlighted, every day United Way staff have worked behind the scenes to coordinate with trusted partners, raise critical funds, and expedite assistance to individuals and families in need. Our commitment to transparency ensures the community remains informed of the progress being made to help those impacted recover and reimagine brighter futures. 

 

 

DAILY FUND UPDATE 

$616,194.50
3:00 p.m. on 1/10/25 

 

 

AID DISTRIBUTION  

 

Second Distribution – 1/13/24

  • $100,000
  • awarded to Hospitality Cares partnership with Louisiana Hospitality Foundation to provide vital relief to eligible hospitality workers in businesses along Bourbon Street, from Canal Street to Conti Street, that experienced a temporary closure or reduction in hours. 
     

Ongoing Grants to Partners Providing Direct Assistance

  • $10,000
  • awarded to LCMC’s Spirit of Charity Foundation to assist patients with their immediate medical needs, including medication and medical equipment.
  • $7,500
  • awarded to Southeast Louisiana Legal Services to provide free civil legal aid to impacted hospitality workers, addressing issues like benefits, estate planning, bankruptcy issues, eviction defense, foreclosure prevention and more.
  • $12,500
  • awarded to New Orleans Family Justice Center to support NOLA Hub response and long-term needs.
  • $25,000
  • awarded to 504HealthNet’s Healthy Hospitality initiative to support counseling and mental health resources and navigation for impacted hospitality workers.
     

First Distribution - 1/7/25 

  • $360,000
  • allotted for victims, their families, and the Family Assistance Center. Read more.  
  • $50,000
  • allotted for individuals vetted by the FBI that were present for the attack but not physically impacted to support mental health and other emerging needs. 

 

 

 

UWSELA TEAM OUTREACH 

 

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January 9

  • Helped open the new Family Assistance Center, now NOLA Hub, to continue direct service to anyone impacted by the New Year’s Day attack. UWSELA Resource Navigators and staff continue to table at the center to provide assistance, including financial aid
  • Launched the United for NOLA Relief Fund update webpage with a response timeline, fund updates, and distributions

 

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January 8

  • Convened with New Orleans Department of Health and University Medical Center leadership to determine ways to meet essential needs of impacted families still receiving in-patient care
  • Launched partnership with Hampr, a local app-based laundry service, to provide laundry care for those affected. Through this partnership, families can focus on recovery and healing, knowing that this basic, essential need is being handled with care
  • Began promotion of the Tutti Agency’s benefit concert supporting United Way of Southeast Louisiana’s United for NOLA Relief Fund at the House of Blues Parish Room on Saturday, January 11 at 7 p.m

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January 7

  • Began the first distributions from the fund to support individuals affected by the New Year’s Day attack 
    • The funds were distributed as follows:  
      • Up to $15,000 per family to assist with funeral and trauma-related expenses for the deceased victims 
      • Up to $3,500 to each of the injured victims for medical and trauma-related expenses  
    • Granted $10,000 to the New Orleans Family Justice Center to provide essential needs to impacted individuals through the FBI’s Family Assistance Center (FAC) 
    • The remaining funds will support crisis counseling and other emerging and long-term needs
  • Drafted and published frequently asked questions about the fund and financial assistance distribution
  • Finalized the financial assistance distribution process in consultation with FBI victim specialists, UWSELA Finance and Accounting team, and UWSELA volunteer tax advisor
  • Distributed the first thank you message to donors and supporters for contributing to the fund and responding to our neighbors in need
  • Began daily tabling at Family Assistance Center with UWSELA’s Resource Navigators and disaster response team member
  • Partnered with New Orleans Pelicans on N💗LA t-shirt release and fundraiser for United for NOLA Relief efforts

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January 6

  • Convened with FBI victim specialist to understand UWSELA’s role in supporting the Family Assistance Center 
  • Outlined plans for the first fund distribution and strategy for future distributions to ensure both immediate and long-term needs of the impacted individuals are met
  • Hosted “Support for Hospitality Workers” virtual convening – in partnership with the Metropolitan Human Services District – to gather resources available for mental and financial support
  • Developed and released Notes from New Orleans social reel comprised of encouraging and compassionate donor messages

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January 5

  • Convened with leadership of the New Orleans Family Justice Center to discuss funding for the organization’s work to support urgent, essential needs of families visiting the Family Assistance Center, including gas, temporary lodging, prescriptions, food, etc.  

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January 4

  • Awarded $500,000 from Mrs. Gayle Benson, the NFL Foundation, and the New Orleans Saints to help support our United for NOLA Relief fund and response efforts

 

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January 3

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January 2

  • Published public resource listing on website to create a centralized location for information, services, and resources helpful to victims, families, and those impacted
  • Promoted community blood drives to help replenish blood supply at area hospitals 
  • Coordinated fund promotions in partnership with WDSU thanks to station President and General Manager and UWSELA Board of Trustee Mike Neelly

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January 1

  • Began daily convenings with leadership from the Louisiana Region of the American Red Cross – working in partnership with the FBI – to understand victims’ emerging needs
  • Launched the United for NOLA Fund to provide aid to victims and those impacted by the New Year’s Day attack on New Orleans

 

 

SPONSORS

Thank you to our generous sponsors and to all of our individual supporters throughout the country.

 

Gayle Benson, New Orleans Saints, and NFL Foundation  |  Old Row  |  Alexis Walter Art  |  Jacquelyn LeVan  |  The DryOak

Big Couch New Orleans  |  Dat Dog  |  Hez Parfums  |  Tutti Agency  |  New Orleans Pelicans  |  Delachaise Ensemble  |  Annunciation Restaurant