Special to the American Press

Since United Way of Southwest Louisiana provided a grant to Business and Workforce Recovery Solutions earlier this year to help small businesses, nonprofits, their workers, and families with COVID relief and disaster recovery, success stories have continued to roll in.

“We’re proud to announce another grant award received in our Southwest LA area,” said Executive Director Cathy Denison-Robert. “Care Help of Sulphur will be able to expand their Backpack Blessings program to over 270 more students thanks to a $25,000 grant award from the Louisiana Department of Revenue. We are honored to be part of the development and grants management processes in partnership with Care Help.”

According to Care Help Executive Director Jody Farnum, “COVID and the natural disasters caused us to shift some funding, which resulted in more Backpack Blessing requests than we could fill. When Business and Workforce Recovery Solutions reached out to me about this grant, I was glad for the help. The funds from this grant have made it possible for us to ensure that children in our area don’t go hungry over the weekend or when school is out. In addition to giving them easy-open, healthy food and snacks, we let them know that we care.”

Other recent success stories include a number of businesses helped with document filings, non-profit organizations assisted with grant applications, SBA Loan submissions, coaching and mentoring for a nonprofit local fire chief, customer service training for a small business trying to juggle a heavy workload with new employees, referrals to social service programs, and workforce program assistance for small businesses desperately needing employees.

The staff and volunteers with Business and Workforce Recovery Solutions are currently working on other projects such as a grand opening for a small business in Lake Charles, a reorganization of a faithbased food pantry in Cameron Parish, a Board visioning project for a nonprofit in Beauregard Parish serving the needs of the disabled, and an outreach plan for a Christian radio station in Westlake.

“Southwest Louisiana people are very resilient. With a little help and encouragement, we’ll come back even stronger than before. It’s such a joy to be part of this organization as we pray for our clients and do our best to serve them during this recovery period,” said Nancy Tower, Business and Workforce Recovery project coordinator.

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If your small business or nonprofit needs help with disaster recovery, or you would like to volunteer to help, contact Business and Workforce Recovery Solutions at (337) 513-4133, by email info@businessworkforcerecovery.com or see the website at https://businessworkforcerecovery.com/.