Junior League of New Orleans announces winners of Fall 2024 Community Assistance Fund Grants

Written By Alicia Vial

NEW ORLEANS – The Junior League of New Orleans (JLNO) is pleased to award $50,000 in grant funding to One Happy Mama, Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans and Metro Centers for Community Advocacy as part of the organization’s Community Assistance Fund which aims to support nonprofits that advance the well-being of Women in New Orleans grants.

“In celebration of the Junior League of New Orleans 100-year anniversary, we pledged to distribute $100,000 in Community Assistance Fund grants,” said JLNO President, Tara Waldron. “Earlier this year, we awarded the first half of funding and are excited to extend that support to three more nonprofits working to fill the gaps in community services.”

One Happy Mama is an organization dedicated to empowering and uplifting young mothers through their journey of motherhood, self-fulfillment and self-discovery while pursuing their happiest lives. One Happy Mama received $19,000, and the funds will provide a monthly stipend for 10 months to 20 women in need, allow 8 women funds for transportation to and from doctors’ appointments and support five monthly workshops for new moms.

The Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans received $16,000 to provide 65 infant car seats, 75 booster seats, 80 umbrella strollers, 100 units of formula, 150 boxes of wipes and 100 sleep n play clothing for parents in need. The organization’s mission is to collaborate with others to offer life-giving programs, advocate for the voiceless and empower the vulnerable to foster a just society.

Metro Centers for Community Advocacy aims to break the cycle of violence and provide aid to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking through advocacy, intervention, empowerment and transformation. The $15,000 grant will provide basic household needs and rent assistance to survivors of domestic violence who are moving out of shelter.

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. For more information about the Community Assistance Fund, visit jlno.org.  

###

About Junior League of 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

New Orleans BioInnovation Center announces winners for BioChallenge pitch competition
Next

HNOC achieves prestigious KultureCity® Certification, furthering commitment to inclusivity