Worthy Causes: United Way Serving St. Tammany 
by Karen Gibbs
For years, United Way has been synonymous with fundraising. Its red and white thermometer monitors community contributions, and citizens give generously, confident that their gifts fund a pool of worthy causes. “That’s still true,” acknowledges Shirleen Carter, “but we’re so much more than a fundraising group.” As executive director of the United Way serving St. Tammany, Shirleen is fired up over the organization’s latest thrust: “Live United.”
Not just a catchy slogan, “It’s about uniting our vision, then uniting our efforts,” says Shirleen. On the local level, United Way strengthens the community’s ability to impact its own problems.
By funding organizations such as the American Red Cross, Catholic Charities, Youth Service Bureau, Community Christian Concern, YMCA, STARC, East St. Tammany Rainbow Childcare, Boys and Girls Clubs, Safe Harbor and many others, United Way keeps local money working on local needs.
Actually, last year, United Way of Greater New Orleans gave back to St. Tammany $200,000 more than it collected in the annual parish campaign, which raised an impressive $537,000. In addition, local volunteers and community leaders scrupulously monitor the allocation of funds to local agencies to insure every dollar donated impacts the greatest needs of our community.
As former president of the Social Services Network of St. Tammany, Shirleen knows our community’s needs. Under her direction, United Way has brought the leadership council board together, integrated the efforts of East and West St. Tammany on projects, promoted business and government participation and involved volunteers in decision-making and site visits to agencies to make certain they are doing what they were funded to do.
United Way contributes to the stability of our six-parish region by gathering resources, providing volunteers and delivering financial assistance and human services during natural disasters. Post-Katrina, United Way served as a coordinator of service agencies, providing a seamless transition in the care of evacuees as they moved from one area to another.
Such experiences give birth to better ways of serving the community during disasters. For example, United Way is currently focusing attention on the need to develop and fund a consistent three-digit (2-1-1) nationwide call center to provide community, volunteer and human service information and referrals.
Locally, Shirleen is enthusiastic about the future. “We’re trying to create a culture of active, enthusiastic support.” Four programs are designed to do just that.
Education: Foster success for children and families by providing quality childcare (on a sliding scale) that supports success in school and prevents future problems.
Income: Encourage financial stability for lower-income families by partnering with local banks, non-profit agencies and local government to provide a matched-savings project ($4 for every $1 saved) that helps participants save towards the purchase of productive assets.
Health: Promote health and independence by providing physical and behavioral health services, including care of seniors and persons with disabilities.
Safety Net: Provide a safety net that keeps people safe before, during and after a crisis, in conjunction with first-response agencies such as the Red Cross, Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, Northshore Disaster Recovery and 2-1-1.
“By focusing on these four building blocks, we influence the condition of all. We are generating the kind of momentum that’s going to bring about some serious, measurable, sustainable change,” Shirleen says. “We invite you to be part of this movement.”
