This United Way, building on the work of their Strong Neighborhoods Project, has been recognized across the state and nation for their approach to moving the right resources at the right time into the hands of folks to change their world for the better. To respond to COVID-19, the United Way has leaned into new partnerships at a hyper-local level, canvassing neighborhoods to reach out to residents to get a sense of what is needed and then partners and neighbors deliver assistance directly to individuals and families who have been affected by the rippling consequences of the outbreak. In times of disaster, there is plenty of conversation about how to assess and deliver what’s needed in any given community. In rural and low-income communities, the truth is far too often that the resources don’t make it to those who need it. By leveraging relationships and communication, the United Way of Central Louisiana is identifying the needs, addressing them and building stronger relationships along the way.
