When the Worst Happened, the Best of Us Responded
On January 1, the unthinkable happened. As partygoers celebrated the start of the new year, tragedy struck Bourbon Street, a place synonymous with good times and celebration. A terrorist drove a truck through a crowd of people, killing 14, injuring dozens, and leaving an entire region in shock and grief.
I’m an early riser, and at 4:30 a.m. that morning, I couldn’t believe what I was reading. It felt surreal. It took time to process the reality of what had occurred, and that time included consulting with our team about how we should respond. At United Way of Southeast Louisiana, we believe in moving at the speed of need, but this was different. A potential terrorist attack that killed, maimed, and injured dozens of people? How do you even begin to respond?
It quickly became clear: the community needed us, and we needed them.
We launched the United for New Orleans Relief Fund with a singular, urgent goal: to provide immediate relief to all those impacted by the attack. Within just a week, we announced more than $360,000 in financial support for the victims’ families, survivors, and those who were present but not injured.
We understood that funeral expenses, housing for survivors’ families, food, and other unexpected costs would only deepen the trauma for those already facing the unimaginable. And because our community joined us in response, hundreds of donors and community partners made it possible to help alleviate some of those burdens.
Three weeks later, we raised more than $668,000 and provided direct assistance to hundreds of survivors, family members, and Bourbon Street hospitality workers impacted by the attack. This includes covering medical expenses, funeral costs, and other urgent needs for households trying to navigate the unthinkable.
Throughout this process, our experiences have been both heartbreaking and heartwarming. From helping the Sensky family secure a much-needed wheelchair to working hand-in-hand with FBI victim specialists as we met with survivors, we witnessed the best of humanity rise in the face of the worst.
But our work isn’t done. The trauma we’ve all experienced – whether directly or indirectly – runs deep. As we approach a busy season with the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras on the horizon, tensions will understandably be high.
This is why I urge you to take care of yourselves and one another. Check in with your trusted circles – family, friends, coworkers – and don’t hesitate to reach out if you need someone to talk to. Dial 211 to access resources for aid and crisis counseling. Whether you’re grappling with grief, fear, or uncertainty, there’s help available, and you don’t have to face it alone.
Finally, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the partners and donors who made this response possible. You remind us of the power of United Way’s approach and the spirit of our community. Together, we’ve shown what it means to be united in the face of adversity, and together, we’ll continue to support the long-term recovery process.
Know that we’re not moving on, but we are looking forward. Forward to a future where we continue to help the community heal. Forward to a time when we can reimagine a safer, stronger, and more compassionate New Orleans for us all.
United is the Way.
Living United,
Michael Williamson
President & CEO
United Way of Southeast Louisiana