New hub to strengthen Southeast Louisiana’s disaster preparedness and response efforts
NEW ORLEANS — On the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Rebuilding Together New Orleans (RTNO) and United Way of Southeast Louisiana (UWSELA) will officially open the new United Way of Southeast Louisiana Resiliency Center founded by Rebuilding Together New Orleans, a permanent, storm-hardened hub for disaster preparedness, response and recovery. The center will serve as a collaborative space and critical emergency response center for trusted nonprofit partners, including UWSELA, HandsOn New Orleans, Ride NOLA, New Orleans ToolBank and LA GreenCorps, designed to strengthen Southeast Louisiana before, during and after disasters.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony will mark the occasion, celebrating a significant investment in long-term community readiness. The event will include guided tours of the new facility and remarks from local and national leaders, followed by a day of service hosted by RTNO and Entergy at volunteer sites across the city.
● Bill Cassidy, U.S. Senator
● William Stoudt, Executive Director, Rebuilding Together New
Orleans
● Michael Williamson, President and CEO, United Way of Southeast
Louisiana
● Drew Marsh, CEO, Entergy
● Angela Williams, President and CEO, United Way Worldwide
● Crystal A. Bergemann, Sr. Manager, Disaster Resilience Responsible
Business Team, Verizon
● Local and state officials, nonprofit leaders and volunteers
Friday, Aug. 29, 2025
Resiliency Center
2831 St. Claude Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70117
9:15 a.m. – arrival
9:30 a.m. – program begins
This event is invitation-only. It is not open to the public.
The key to resiliency is preparedness. As storms grow stronger and the demand for repairs increases, New Orleans must rely on a strategic, collaborative approach to ensure our communities thrive. This center will amplify impact, reduce duplication of services and ensure that when disaster strikes, New Orleans is not just resilient—it is ready.
Members of the media are welcome to attend the ribbon cutting and guided tours, as well as capture coverage at designated off-site volunteer locations following the program. Interviews will be available with UWSELA and RTNO leadership, government officials and nonprofit partners. To RSVP, contact Meagen Moreland-Taliancich at meagen@gambelpr.com or via cell at 803.429.2703.
About Rebuilding Together New Orleans
Rebuilding Together is a leading national nonprofit in safe and healthy housing that provides low-income neighbors with critical home repairs and revitalizes the communities in which we live. Rebuilding Together New Orleans (RTNO), a local affiliate, has restored and revitalized more than 2,200 homes over the past 37 years in the New Orleans area. Utilizing volunteer labor, Rebuilding Together New Orleans allows low-income families in communities across the city to live in comfort, safety and dignity.
About United Way of Southeast Louisiana
For 100 years, United Way of Southeast Louisiana (UWSELA) has been a leader and trusted partner in improving lives and making a lasting difference. We fight to eradicate poverty by preparing people for quality jobs, growing incomes and affording better health and education opportunities throughout Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa and Washington parishes. We have a bold vision of equitable communities where all individuals are healthy, educated, and financially stable – and we have a plan. United Way of Southeast Louisiana’s Blueprint for Prosperity guides all strategic investments in programs, initiatives, collaborations, volunteerism, and advocacy aimed at tackling poverty. For more information, please visit UnitedWaySELA.org. Find us on social: @UnitedWaySELA.