There's "NO" Place Like Home in the Gulf Coast

There's "NO" Place Like Home in the Gulf Coast

New technology to help residents rebuild homes and lives affected by Hurricane Katrina and now the Gulf Coast oil spill

New Orleans, LA -- June 21, 2010

NO Place Like Home is an online engagement campaign that will rebuild homes in New Orleans between now and August 29, the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s landfall. United Way for the Greater New Orleans Area (UWGNOA), in collaboration with United Way Worldwide and St. Bernard Project, has engaged Blue State Digital (BSD), an Internet strategy and technology firm, to take the rebuilding of New Orleans to the next level.   

BSD is perhaps best known for its involvement in President Barack Obama's successful presidential campaign. Powered by BSD's technology, Obama for America raised over $500 million dollars online, mobilized millions of volunteers, and built an unprecedented 13 million person email list that helped propel him into office – and win.  

Joyce Guient, 67, has been living in a FEMA trailer for three and half years, saving money from each paycheck to finish rebuilding her home in the Gentilly neighborhood of New Orleans. “It’s been almost five years now,” she says. “And I just want to get in my house to stay.” Thanks to NO Place Like Home, and the power of the internet, Joyce’s wish is coming true. 

United Way is working with BSD to develop the online components of this campaign, a set of comprehensive tools that integrate fundraising, advocacy and social networking. BSD has helped millions of people take action by building online communities to bring about change. 

UWGNOA COO Michael Williamson said "Being at the cutting edge of technology and using the newest tools and techniques to build an effective campaign will be a huge boost for rebuilding the greater New Orleans area. We are very excited about this partnership with Blue State Digital and look forward to utilizing these tools and online engagement strategies to reach out to potential donors nationwide." 

Monday, June 21^st at 10:00 a.m.

United Way will host a media event at Guient’s home in Gentilly at 1687 Pratt Drive.

Those who attend will have the opportunity to see a demonstration of the online tools at work, as well as meet Guient and two other families involved in the program, the Dorseys of New Orleans East and the Vanderhoffs of St. Bernard (a commercial fishing family deeply affected by the oil spill.)

Over 970 New Orleans families are still living in FEMA trailers, with thousands more in temporary apartments and other housing alternatives. So far, over 5,500 people have signed the pledge to rebuild New Orleans. 

To learn more about the Gulf Coast Project and how you can join, go to www.rebuildnola.unitedway.org. 

You can give, volunteer and advocate as part of NO Place Like Home. Here are some of the ways.

• From the Gulf Coast Project web site send action alerts to people in your address book giving them the latest information about recovery activities in the Gulf Coast, as well as the forecast for this year’s active hurricane season.
• Volunteer opportunities include construction, painting, landscaping, and other work involved in getting a house ready for move-in. Volunteers must be at least 15 and able to do physical labor for six to eight hours a day. You can create a team or volunteer as an individual.
• Provide financial support by making a monetary donation. Your donation will be matched by a generous gift from the owners of the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars. With their support as well as that of UPS, United Way has already raised almost half of the $500,000 goal. 

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About United Way for the Greater New Orleans Area

United Way for the Greater New Orleans Area is advancing the common good. By partnering with donors, employers, nonprofits, faith groups and government, United Way brings a coordinated approach to solving community problems in Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa and Washington Parishes. For more information, please call 504.822.5540 or visit www.unitedwaynola.org. You can find us atwww.facebook.com/UnitedWayNola or follow us on twitter: @UnitedWayNola.

RELATED LINKS

United Way for the Greater New Orleans Area


St. Bernard Project


Blue State Digital


United Way Worldwide