Community Assistance Fund grant applications now open

Written By Alicia Vial

Junior League of New Orleans to award $50,000 to local nonprofit

NEW ORLEANS – The Junior League of New Orleans (JLNO) is now accepting grant applications for the Fall round of their Community Assistance Fund grant which aims to support nonprofits that advance the well-being of women in New Orleans. Applications are due Aug. 25.

In celebration of JLNO’s 100-year anniversary, the organization pledged to distribute $100,000 in Community Assistance Fund grants. Each grant awarded must support at least one of three categories: Economic Opportunity, Family Assistance and Physical/Mental Health.

“The Junior League of New Orleans has granted nearly $500,000 to 63 nonprofits since the Community Assistance Fund’s inception in 2014,” said JLNO President, Tara Waldron. “Grant opportunities like these are pivotal to filling gaps in community services and supporting agencies that are positively impacting our communities.”

Earlier this year, JLNO awarded the first half of funding to St. Thomas Community Health Center, New Orleans Women & Children’s Shelter, The Bright School of the Deaf, Emergency Legal Responders, STEM Heads and Teresa Talks. The recipients of the remaining $50,000 will be announced Oct. 15.

"Thanks to the support of the Junior League of New Orleans, St. Thomas Community Health Center will now be able to provide Cervical cancer early detection and treatment," said Ms. Chaniel Age, Women's Health Nurse Practitioner.

St Thomas’ Dr. Kelley Morel added that “with the addition of this specialized equipment, women who are uninsured or underinsured will no longer have lengthy wait times for a diagnosis and in some cases, treatment for Cervical abnormalities. The entire Women's Health Group at St. Thomas Clinic is grateful to the Junior League of New Orleans for this significant advancement in healthcare for disadvantaged women.”

Past recipients of the Community Assistance Fund grants include nonprofits like Dress for Success, Operation Restoration, KID smART, ArcGNO, Son of a Saint, YMCA of Greater New Orleans and The 18th Ward.

Community Assistance Fund applications can be submitted at jlno.org for up to $20,000 through Aug. 25.

###

About Junior League New Orleans
Junior League of New Orleans is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to advancing women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration and training. More information on the organization can be found at www.jlno.org

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

Previous

One of the oldest jazz bands in New Orleans celebrates its 50th anniversary
Next

Louisiana Policy Institute for Children announces $1.3 million in grants to boost early educator compensation