E-Newsletter
1st Quarter 2010
Newsletter Title
Issue No.
Greetings!
 
Thank you for taking time to read our first quarter newsletter.  There are a lot of exciting things happening here at the Urban League.  Throughout this issue, we will share with you great news about youth achievement and involvement, new funding to support Urban League programs and our continued effort to increase new businesses and parental and male involvement in public schools and Head Start. Urban League Young Professionals continue to lead the charge on volunteerism, unwavering in their commitment to the Urban League mission, proving they are the change that generates future success.  It is in this spirit that  I invite you to take action and join the Empowerment Movement by taking the "I Am Empowered" Pledge, which is outlined in this issue. It is through the discovery of our strengths, challenges, and dreams, and by connecting to move forward that we become a stronger movement poised to take on big challenges such as unemployment, access to affordable housing, a college education and quality healthcare.  You too can be the change and your partnership will enhance our deep collective knowledge and experience to provide the most dynamic and meaningful programming to support our mutual goal of empowering communities and changing lives.  Enjoy!
 

  
Yours In the Movement,
Nolan V. Rollins, President & CEO
Urban League of Greater New Orleans
 
 
Urban League Parent Information Center Highlights Key Policy Issues at SUNO's School of Social Work Annual Conference
 
On February 19, 2010 the School of Social Work of Southern University at New Orleans and the Community Resource Center held its annual conference. This year the theme was Parenting Challenges: 21st Century Style. The purpose of the conference was to enhance social workers' understanding of what it means to parent during these times. Topics ranged from nutrition to school choice, as well as other critical issues. When approached by Dr. Joy McElveen, Associate Professor and Chairperson of Children, Youth and Families at Southern University at New Orleans School of Social Work, the Urban League of Greater New Orleans Parent Information Center (ULPIC) jumped at the opportunity to present at the conference.  ULPIC is committed to empowering parents and equipping them with skills to become leaders in their child's education. One of the key factors in the success of the current school choice model in New Orleans is parents' ability to make a substantive decision on choosing a school for their children and learning how to be more involved in their child's education.  One of the challenges the ULPIC faces is being able to reach every parent. It is important to utilize other support services that come in contact with families on a daily basis.  To read the full article on the Parent Information Center, click here.
 
Ongoing Support of Fathers and Volunteers Contribute to Success of Male Involvement Project
 

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The Male Readers' Initiative is a shared-reading practice program, one of many aimed to encourage male involvement in children's lives.  Our male parents and male volunteers from the community come to Urban League Early Head Start (ULEHS) to read to the children.  This initiative has promoted language and other skills related to early literacy development. The Male Readers' Initiative provides children positive images of male models in the community while engaging them in literacy and play activities.  An important yet often overlooked strategy in the effort to increase parent involvement in early childhood programs is involving fathers or other significant male figures. The notion that all fathers of children from low-income and high-risk backgrounds absent themselves from child rearing is a myth that permeates program development efforts in this area. For example, in a recent study of a pre-kindergarten at-risk program, McBride and Lin (in press) found that a majority of the mothers surveyed reported their children had regular and consistent interaction with a father or other male figures despite the high proportion of single-parent families being served by the program. To read the full article on the Early Head Start Male Involvement Project, click here.
 
Urban League College Track Students Making Strides
  
JONATHAN HILLS, a Greater Gentilly HS student, was invited to participate, with other high school students from the United States for a four-day "Engineering a Global Impact" conference in March 2010 in Toronto organized by the National Society of Black Engineers, or NSBE, which is a student-managed organization that supports academic and professional success for African American engineering students.   Jonathan participated in workshops for pre-college students aimed at preparing high school students for college success, developing their leadership skills and giving them a "global understanding" in a continually changing world.  Jonathan said the conference completely changed him.  Meeting other high school students and exchanging ideas energized him and he is now so inspired to develop his talents and make a contribution to society.  
 
  
TROY SIMON, a Greater Gentilly HS student, was invited to Stanford University for the Black Student Union and Black Community Services Center's 11th Annual Youth Empowerment Conference in April 2010.   The conference's goal is to prepare promising high school students for leadership roles through empowerment seminars and college workshops.  Troy received a special invitation to the conference, all expenses paid, because the conference representatives were so impressed with a "coming of age" essay Troy had written.  To read the full article on Urban League College Track, click here.  
Women's Business Resource Center 1st Qtr. Review  
 
 
The Women's Business Resource Center hosted its first annual Beauty and Business Fashion Showcase on Sunday, February 28th, from 6 pm until 9 pm at Peaches Record Store located at 408 North Peters Street.  The event, which garnered standing-room only, showcased the collections and services of clients to the WBRC.  The Fashion Showcase featured the wears, talents and products of local entrepreneurs and highlighted agencies such as the Dress for Success Program and Peaches Record Store.  The master of ceremonies was Eddie Francis of Q-93, who provided over two hours of entertaining emceeing.  Guests were able to enjoy this free event which displayed the products and services of vendors, and clothing worn by volunteer models from Dress for Success and many small business owners.  Service credit was given to hairstylist Tamika Falls, and make-up artists such as Wink and Lexie Bloom Make-up Artistry, who provided services and advice to attendees and models.  Stunning fashions highlighted were from selected boutiques like Total Woman, Jackie's Uniforms and Apparel, David Lee's Boutique, and The Runway. The evening joyfully ended with the entertainment of localrap groups Grand Finale and 7th Ward Shorty, and the soothing sounds of R & B and jazz artists, Iris P and Joy Clark. To read the full article on the Women's Business Resource Center 1st Qtr. Review, click here.
 
Urban League Programs Receive Major Funding Support 
 
 
The Urban League of Greater New Orleans is pleased to announce the receipt of grant commitments totaling $1,595,000.  A Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from the City of New Orleans will provide gap funding for construction of a new Head Start Center in the ninth ward which is scheduled to begin operations in July 2010.  Additional CDBG funding from the City will further the work of the Unlocking Opportunities Program which offers a chance to increase one's earning potential by providing connections to and financial support to attend vocational training and associates and bachelor degree programs at area schools, colleges and universities.  Ongoing support from Shell Exploration and Production will enable the Women's Business Resource Center to continue to provide training, business counseling, technical assistance and mentoring opportunities to aspiring entrepreneurs.  
 
Young Professionals Reenergize  via Professional Development and 2nd Annual YP Brunch
 
 
During this first quarter, Urban League Young Professionals (YP) members and friends participated in monthly general body meetings that included a professional development panel who discussed their paths to success.  Panelist included: Laverne Saulny, Regional Manager for Senator Mary Landrieu's New Orleans office; Daniel Wallace, Owner of Entrepreneur Federal Computing; Michael Graham, Director of Engineering at FedEx; Terry Scott, Owner/Operator of McDonald's locations in New Orleans.  Additionally, Leslie Jacobs spoke to the membership about school governance and school performance in New Orleans.  Finally, YP kicked off the New Year with a YP brunch for members and friends.  The 2nd Annual YP Brunch was held to reconnect and reenergize YP membership and introduce others to the mission and work of Urban League Young Professionals.  To read the full article on YP 1st quarter activities, click here. 
 
 
Celebrating a Century of Service & An Empowered Future!
 
In celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Urban League Movement, this year, the National Urban League launched the "I Am Empowered Campaign to remind everyone that they can be a force for change and make a lasting difference by getting involved.  The campaign hopes to inspire 2 million people to take the pledge to empower themselves, the community and the nation to affect real change and make a better future.  The campaign is built around a social networking platform and the Urban League sees this online community as a very simple, straightforward way to leverage technology and the power of social networking toward achieving its historic goals.  Here's how it works!  By signing onto the pledge, you will receive important updates, news alerts and information about the Urban League Movement.  Each day, new information will be disseminated that requires you to take action.  An action may include sending a quick email to a congress person, forwarding information on to family, friends and networks that you choose, or simply watching a video of a message from the National President.  Through the iamempowered site, you will also be able to track "your" personal impact through the embedded personal impact meter, which allows you to accumulate points to win such prizes as free airline tickets, cash, gift certificates, hotel stays, etc.  Click here to TAKE THE PLEDGE, join the community, get involved and gain access to many things about the movement that are only available through the site.  Urban League affiliates, guilds, pastors, professionals, fraternities and sororities are already signed on, participating and making a difference where they live.  All we need now is you!  You may also text EMPOWER to 69866 or download the mobile application for iPhone, Blackberry or Android from the "I Am Empowered" site.
 
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About the Urban League...Founded in 1938, the Urban League of Greater New Orleans is one of 102 affiliates of the National Urban League.  The Urban League exists to improve the social and economic well-being of African American and other emerging communities. The Urban League's three Centers of Excellence offers programs and services in education and youth development, economic and workforce development and public policy and advocacy.  For more information, visit us online at www.urbanleagueneworleans.org.  Follow us on Twitter or become our friend on Facebook.  The Urban League is a participating agency of the United Way of the Greater New Orleans area.