notes: The United Ways in the Gulf Coast are actively monitoring and assessing the needs of the region through community agencies. As a whole, the United Way has been registering volunteers with 211. Individual United Ways have responded in the following ways. The United Way of South Mississippi sent out a survey to gather information regarding the effects of the oil spill on local non-profit organizations. The United Way of Greater New Orleans established a fund, which they may broaden to serve as a regional fund. -> FROM VOAD: The United Ways in the Gulf Coast are actively monitoring and assessing the needs of the region through community agencies. As a whole, the United Way has been registering volunteers with 211. Individual United Ways have responded in the following ways. The United Way of South Mississippi sent out a survey to gather information regarding the effects of the oil spill on local non-profit organizations. The United Way of Greater New Orleans established a fund, which they may broaden to serve as a regional fund. ---------------------------------- FROM THE SITE: Need Assistance? 2-1-1 is available to disseminate information regarding the relief efforts surrounding the recent Gulf Coast Oil Spill. Call 2-1-1 from any cellular or land line 24-hours a day, 7 days a week for more information about: * Volunteer Opportunities * Job Training and Employment Opportunities * Reporting Damaged Property or Injured Wildlife "Neighbors Helping Neighbors" Meanwhile, on Friday, May 7, United Way joined forces with Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. and Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana. Winn-Dixie launched its "Neighbors Helping Neighbors" program, where shoppers at any of its 36 New Orleans area stores can contribute to United Way's fund to help those impacted by the Gulf Coast Oil Spill. Winn-Dixie donated over 28,000 gallons of bottled water and 42,000 pounds of food items -- enough to fill three semi-trailers. United Way and Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans Partner for Help United Way is also working in partnership with Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans [CCANO] to assist Plaquemines and St. Bernard Parish residents who are already feeling the effects of the Gulf Coast Oil Spill. If you need assistance, please call 2-1-1 for more information or to find a location for help near you. You can also reach the Catholic Charities CARE LINE at (866) 891-2210 to learn about available assistance, as locations for on-site help are subject to change. CCANO is currently providing services at the following locations: * St. Bernard Parish o St. Bernard Catholic Church 2805 Bayou Road * Plaquemines Parish o St. Patrick Catholic Church 28698 Highway 23 in Port Sulphur o St. Thomas Catholic Church 17605 Highway 15 in Pointe A la Hache * Orleans Parish o Mary Queen of Vietnam Community Development Corporation 4626 Alcee Fortier Blvd. o There is also a liaison at the BP Claims Center in New Orleans East * Jefferson Parish o St. Anthony Catholic Church 2653 Jean Lafitte Boulevard United Way Impact Partners At Work St. Bernard Project, a United Way partner agency, is responding to the spill by expanding their mental health clinic to Lower St. Bernard and Plaquemines and creating jobs for fisherman through their Good Work Good Pay (GWGP) program. The Center for Wellness and Mental Health will have increased hours of operation and will attempt to hire local shrimpers and/or their spouses as community outreach workers and peer counselors. The GWGP program will hire, train and pay livable, union-level wages with full benefits to local fishermen affected by the oil spill (as well as other local under- and unemployed individuals and war veterans.) Since 2006, the Community Center of St Bernard (CCSTB), a United Way partner agency, has been open to help all St. Bernard families get assistance they need, whether it's food, clothes, medical care, legal aid, counseling, or other services. CCSTB is also helping those affected by the Oil Spill. With the commercial and recreational fishing ban currently in effect, many St. Bernard commercial fishermen have signed up for CCSTB’s food pantry so that they will be able to feed their families until they can find other work. Since May 1, more than 6200 individuals who have been affected by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico have received emergency assistance through Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans, a United Way partner agency. By the numbers, through June 1, 2010: * 6227 people (1883 families) have received emergency assistance from Catholic Charities; * $102,900 in gift cards and/or food vouchers have been distributed to affected families; * 845 emergency food boxes from Second Harvest Food Bank have been distributed; * 173 cans of baby formula have been distributed along with 77 boxes of diapers and 186 ½ packs of diapers; * 748 people have undergone mental health assessments; and * 503 people have received individual counseling and 28 have taken part in group counseling with Catholic Charities crisis counselors. Volunteering United Way is working to ensure those affected by the Gulf Coast oil spill have access to information and resources. That’s why United Way is now providing communications and community coordination expertise to British Petroleum during the Deepwater Horizon cleanup. BP says it will pay for all necessary clean-up costs. BP is contracting with the Louisiana Association of United Ways (LAUW) and Louisiana 2-1-1; the recognized 'go to’ information and referral system. The easy to remember three-digit telephone number connects people to health and human services as well as volunteer opportunities. There have been a significant number of calls and emails to BP, government agencies, elected officials and nonprofits from people all over the country wanting to help or get involved in the cleanup. Training is required to volunteer. Unannounced, untrained volunteers can create an additional burden on those coordinating response efforts. LA 2-1-1 will serve as an important part of the Louisiana Volunteer Pipeline registering those who want to help with the oil spill efforts at www.volunteerlouisiana.gov to assist the LA Serve commission of the Lieutenants Governor’s office with volunteer coordination. United Way for the Greater New Orleans Area has also created and is distributing 2-1-1 pocket cards. One side is in English and the reverse side is in Vietnamese or Spanish. This is part of an ongoing effort to reach those who may not be aware of the 24/7 helpline. How You Can Help BP's spill response "includes efforts to protect the Gulf coast, to contain the spill offshore at the surface and to stem the flow of oil into the water from the sub-sea well," but there exists an immediate need for assistance in the lower Louisiana parishes. At the request of Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser and St. Bernard Parish President Craig Taffaro, United Way has set up a fund to meet the health and human service needs of Louisiana residents impacted by the oil spill.