Nola Reporter

NEW ORLEANS — The City of New Orleans today announced the organizations selected, through a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA), for programs that promote economic mobility throughout the community.

The $5 million project, entitled Economic Mobility in Motion: Moving New Orleanians Forward, is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). 

“The programs selected for the Economic Mobility in Motion program truly meet our people where they are and propel them forward, along with their families,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “We are investing our ARPA dollars to support thousands of New Orleanians who need it most, setting them up for success through improving their financial literacy, career opportunities and overall economic prospects. The selected programs represent a variety of initiatives that are making a real difference for our people, and I express my gratitude to them for ensuring no one is left behind as we move New Orleans forward.” 

The ten organizations selected proposed programs that will provide critical support to approximately 3,000 members of our community over the next three years to improve their financial security and well-being.  

The funded organizations and programs are: 

• Disability Rights of Louisiana will receive $300,000 for their Financial Access Inclusion & Resources (FAIR) program, the Gulf Coast’s sole reentry and financial coaching initiative specifically tailored to formerly incarcerated people with disabilities
• Educators for Quality Alternatives will receive $325,000 to launch The Next Steps Program, which provides one year of intensive support to graduates of The Net Charter High Schools, including financial stipends, financial literacy and individualized employment and educational coaching
• El Centro will receive $450,000 to provide access to wealth-building programs to 400 Latino residents of New Orleans annually, including financial wellness, small business development, tax preparation and first-time home buyer training in a language-accessible and culturally competent manner 
• Flyte will receive $260,000 to support over 300 Black women entrepreneurs from low- to moderate-income households through their 12-month Entrepreneur Empowerment Program
• Louisiana Green Corps will receive $415,000 for its Construction and Conservation Corps to train young people for high-growth jobs in green construction, water management and solar industries 
• March of Dimes will receive $1 million to provide 100 eligible pregnant mothers a guaranteed income for 12 months during pregnancy and post-partum to improve health and social outcomes for families
• New Orleans Career Center will receive $500,000 to continue and expand healthcare Career and Technical Education (CTE) programming for low-income graduating high school students and adults who are unemployed or underemployed in partnership with local hospitals and Emergency Medical Services providers
• Rooted School will receive $1 million for a guaranteed income longitudinal study of 800 public high school students who will receive $50 per week for 40 weeks with an aim to improve academic performance, college enrollment, employment prospects and financial literacy
• The First 72+ will receive $500,000 to provide pathways to economic stability for formerly incarcerated New Orleanians through a small business incubator program and a cooking school in addition to wraparound services like case management and transitional housing
• United Way of SELA (UWSELA) will receive $250,000 to set up a New Orleans East Roving Prosperity Center to provide low- to moderate-income residents of New Orleans East access to UWSELA’s services including financial education and coaching, credit building and counseling, benefits screening, income tax assistance and a matching savings account program.

"Growing an inclusive and equitable economy that works for all New Orleanians is a cornerstone of our economic development strategy," said Director of Economic Development Jeffrey Schwartz. "The organizations selected to partner with this administration’s Economic Mobility in Motion program are doing amazing work to support residents and business owners in creating wealth-building opportunities and pathways for mobility that will impact their families for generations to come. We can’t wait to start collaborating with the selected organizations."  

"Economic stability is a critical determinant of an individual's health outcomes,” said Director of New Orleans Health Department Dr. Jennifer Avegno. “Addressing social needs through anti-poverty programs, financial literacy and asset building has been shown to significantly improve length and quality of life. By providing our residents and their families with basic tools and skills to prosper, our community will be healthier for generations." 

For further information and updates on the City's ARPA investments and initiatives, please visit the official website at nola.gov/arpa/

Original source can be found here.