Tag: philanthropy

03 Aug

Women United Grants $186,000 to Early Education Programs

by Lauren SchwabeCategories: News, Women United

Women United is Lake County’s premier women’s organization for strengthening the community through philanthropy, leadership, and volunteerism while creating a meaningful sense of belonging. In May 2023, it was announced that Women United will distribute $186,000 through its Little Kids, Big Futures philanthropy fund to support nine critical early education programs that will ensure the foundation for strong and successful academic futures for Lake County’s children.

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The following programs will receive funding:

$84,000 – United Way of Lake County’s Kindergarten Countdown Camp (KCC)

Gurnee, North Chicago, Round Lake & Waukegan

Funding will support a summer learning program for 135 incoming kindergarteners with little to no preschool experience. Teaches social norms and builds key skills such as shapes, letters and counting.

$26,500 – B.E.S.T. Pre-K Program

Round Lake 

Funding will support a bilingual early learning program for children, birth to three years old, with a focus on early literacy, healthy development and parent engagement.

$20,000 – United Way of Lake County’s Better Together program

Green Bay Early Childhood Center in North Chicago

This early learning program is for children birth to three years old and their caregivers. Each family receives resources and materials to learn, play and develop school readiness skills together. Funding will support 36 sessions. Each session will serve 10 – 12 families.

$15,000 – The Formative Years

Lake County

Funding will support the Family First Center of Lake County, which will provide bi-weekly sessions for parents and 46 children, birth to five years old, on basic skills and preschool enrichment activities to prepare them for school.

$15,000 – Mano a Mano

Lake County

Funding will support the Healthy Kids/Healthy Families initiative, which will expand literacy programs for families with children ages three to five years old through home visits.

$12,500 – Affirm Christian Leadership Academy

Waukegan

Funding will support the Early Literacy Leaders program that provides an academic foundation for girls; tailored to meet individual deficits and close the gap before kindergarten.

$9,000 –Mother’s Trust Foundation

Lake County

Funding will provide scholarships for children to increase access to early educational experiences and services, enrichment, and extracurricular programming including daycare and summer camp.

$8,000 – Early Learning Club Center

Waukegan Public Library

Funding will support an Early Learning Club Center, year round, designed to guide parents on being their child’s first teacher. Funding will support programs in English and Spanish.

$5,000 – HUGS Women United

Waukegan 

Funding will support a community engagement initiative of Women United where members embrace the community with the resources and care it needs to succeed. This initiative will continue to provide Early Learning Club sessions at Whispering Oaks Apartments.

Women United of Lake County is a powerful network of more than 135 women who enable each other to leverage our passions, ideas, expertise, and resources to ensure children living in Lake County are prepared for kindergarten and ready to succeed. Women United is a critical community within United Way of Lake County.

Thinking ahead to 2024 and beyond, Women United’s philanthropy is poised to continue to grow and mobilize community-minded women through leadership and resource development in order to expand its impact on early childhood education.

To learn how you can get involved in Women United of Lake County and to know about the Little Kids, Big Futures Philanthropy Fund Guidelines, please contact our Senior Manager of Women United & Donor Engagement, Jessica Ceisel, at Jessica.Ceisel@uwlakeco.org.

For more information about Women United, visit: www.LIVEUNITEDlakecounty.org/womenunited

14 Jun

Women United Allocates $1,000,000 in Eight Years to Early Education Programs

by Lauren SchwabeCategories: News, Women United

Women United is Lake County’s premier women’s organization for strengthening the community through philanthropy, leadership, and volunteerism while creating a meaningful sense of belonging. Just this month, it was announced that Women United will distribute $186,000 through its Little Kids, Big Futures philanthropy fund to support nine critical early education programs that will ensure the foundation for strong and successful academic futures for Lake County’s most vulnerable children. 2022 marks the $1,000,000 milestone in grants to education programs across Lake County, IL!

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The following programs will receive funding:

$80,000 – United Way of Lake County’s Kindergarten Countdown Camp (KCC)

Gurnee, North Chicago, Round Lake & Waukegan

Funding will support an in-person summer learning program for 155 incoming kindergartners with little to no preschool experience. In addition to teaching social classroom norms, the goal is to build key foundational skills such as learning shapes, letters, counting, and name writing.

$27,000 – B.E.S.T. Pre-K Program

Round Lake 

Funding will continue to allow this Round Lake Park District program to provide 20 scholarships for children who otherwise would not have access to preschool. With this opportunity, children will be prepared for kindergarten and ready to learn.

$18,000 – United Way of Lake County’s Better Together program

Green Bay Early Childhood Center in North Chicago

This early learning program is for children birth to three years old and their caregivers. Each family receives resources and materials to learn, play and develop school readiness skills together. Funding will support 36 sessions. Each session will serve 10 – 12 families.

$15,000 – The Formative Years

Lake County

Funding will support the Family First Center of Lake County, which will provide bi-weekly sessions for parents and 46 children, birth to five years old, on basic skills and preschool enrichment activities to prepare them for school.

$15,000 – Mano a Mano

Lake County

Funding will support the Healthy Kids/Healthy Families initiative, which will expand literacy programs for families with children ages three to five years old through home visits. They aim to serve 29 families.

$10,000 – United Way of Lake County’s Early Learning Clubs

Waukegan Public Library

Early Learning Clubs provide bilingual opportunities for children to learn basic skills while their parents are empowered to be their child’s first teacher. Curbside pick-up of learning materials will connect more children to Early Learning Clubs.

$9,000 – Laundry Literacy

Waukegan and Zion

Funding will provide monthly programming in local laundromats and will include storytime, sing-alongs, early literacy skills, and parent-child interactions to connect with families where they gather. Designed to help prepare children for kindergarten, the program aims to serve 200 – 250 children annually.

$7,000 – Bright by Text

Lake County

Bright by Text is a national bilingual texting program that puts expert tips, games, and child development information in the hands of caregivers. Bright by Text partners with experts such as PBS, Sesame Street, the CDC, and others to develop content for families with children ages prenatal to eight.

$5,000 – HUGS/North Preschool Partnership

Waukegan 

HUGS (Heroines United for Giving and Support) is a community engagement initiative of Women United where members embrace a school, project, or community with the resources and care it needs to succeed. This initiative continues to provide Early Learning Clubs at Whispering Oaks Apartments in Waukegan.

Women United of Lake County is a powerful network of over 115 women who enable each other to leverage our passions, ideas, expertise, and resources to ensure children living in Lake County’s most vulnerable communities are prepared for kindergarten and ready to succeed. Women United is a critical community within United Way of Lake County.

Thinking ahead to 2023 and beyond, Women United’s philanthropy is poised to continue to grow and mobilize community-minded women through leadership and resource development in order to expand its impact on early childhood education.

To learn how you can get involved in Women United of Lake County and to know about the Little Kids, Big Futures Philanthropy Fund Guidelines, please contact our Manager of Women United, Diana Nielander, at Diana.Nielander@uwlakeco.org.

For more information about Women United, visit: www.LIVEUNITEDlakecounty.org/womenunited

19 May

Women United Allocates $850,000 in Seven Years to Early Education Programs

by Jennifer StromCategories: News, Women United

Women United is Lake County’s premier women’s organization for strengthening the community through philanthropy, leadership, and volunteerism while creating a meaningful sense of belonging. Just this month, it was announced that Women United will distribute $166,000 through its Little Kids, Big Futures philanthropy fund to support eight critical early education programs that will ensure the foundation for strong and successful academic futures for Lake County’s most vulnerable children. Since 2014, Women United has allocated over $850,000 in grants to education programs across Lake County, IL.

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Women United members. Pictured (left to right)  Back row: Karen Warrington, Karen Jones, Marilyn Mines, Sandra Bankston, Elizabeth Suerth, Patrice Maloney-Knauff. Front row: Lori Cruz and Judy Kotsiopolous.

The following programs will receive funding:

$65,000 – United Way of Lake County’s Kindergarten Countdown Camp (KCC)

Beach Park, Round Lake & Waukegan

Funding will support a virtual and hybrid summer learning program for 120 incoming kindergartners with little to no preschool experience. In addition to teaching social classroom norms, the goal is to build key foundational skills such as learning shapes, letters, counting, and name writing.

$25,000 – B.E.S.T. Pre-K Program

Round Lake 

Funding will continue to allow this Round Lake Park District program to provide 20 scholarships for children who otherwise would not have access to preschool. With this opportunity, children will be prepared for kindergarten and ready to learn.

$20,000 – One Hope United‘s Busy Bee Children’s Center

Beach Park, North Chicago, Park City, Waukegan & Zion

Funding will provide scholarships to low-income families who need full-time child care while parents work or are in school. The research-based curriculum focuses on learning through exploration and discovery to build critical thinking, early learning skills, and the confidence needed to succeed in school.

$15,000 – United Way of Lake County’s Better Together program

Green Bay Early Childhood Center in North Chicago

This early learning program is for children birth to three years old and their caregivers. Each family receives resources and materials to learn, play and develop school readiness skills together. Funding will support 36 sessions. Each session will serve 10 – 12 families.

$16,000 – Mano a Mano

Lake County

Funding will support the Healthy Kids/Healthy Families initiative, which will expand literacy programs for families with children ages three to five years old through home visits.

$12,000 – Bright by Text

Lake County

Bright by Text is a national bilingual texting program that puts expert tips, games, and child development information in the hands of caregivers. Bright by Text partners with experts such as PBS, Sesame Street, the CDC, and others to develop content for families with children ages prenatal to eight.

$8,000 – United Way of Lake County’s Early Learning Clubs

Waukegan Public Library

Early Learning Clubs provide bilingual opportunities for children to learn basic skills while their parents are empowered to be their child’s first teacher. Curbside pick-up of learning materials will connect more children to Early Learning Clubs.

$5,000 – HUGS/North Preschool Partnership

Waukegan 

HUGS (Heroines United for Giving and Support) is a community engagement initiative of Women United where members embrace a school, project, or community with the resources and care it needs to succeed. In 2019, Women United’s HUGS Committee started a new partnership with North Preschool in Waukegan to support reading in classrooms, special events, family programming, parent workshops, and other curricula to enhance learning programs for 140 students.

Women United of Lake County is a powerful network of 115 women who enable each other to leverage our passions, ideas, expertise, and resources to ensure children living in Lake County’s most vulnerable communities are prepared for kindergarten and ready to succeed. Women United is a critical community within United Way of Lake County.

Thinking ahead to 2022 and beyond, Women United’s philanthropy is poised to continue to grow and mobilize community-minded women through leadership and resource development in order to expand its impact on early childhood education.

To learn how you can get involved in Women United of Lake County and to know about the Little Kids, Big Futures Philanthropy Fund Guidelines, please contact our Manager of Women United, Diana Nielander, at Diana.Nielander@uwlakeco.org.

For more information about Women United, visit: www.LIVEUNITEDlakecounty.org/womenunited

17 Jun

Women United Allocates $684K in Six Years to Early Literacy Programs

by Jennifer StromCategories: News, Women United

Women United is Lake County’s premiere women’s organization for strengthening the community through philanthropy, leadership and volunteerism while creating a meaningful sense of belonging.  Just this month, it was announced that Women United will distribute $165,650 through its Little Kids, Big Futures Philanthropy Fund to support seven critical early  literacy programs that will ensure the foundation for strong and successful academic futures for Lake County’s most vulnerable children.

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Women United members at United Way’s Premier Leadership Event on June 26, 2019. Pictured (left to right)  Back row – Nancy Coolley, Mary Sue Welch, Tejal Vakharia, Wendy Warren, Karen Mahnke, Michelle Crombie, Karen Warrington, Glenda Abbott, Julie Gordon, Middle row – Diana Nielander, Marilyn Mines, Sami Porter, Front row – Judy Kotsiopolous, Monica Burmeister, Sharlene Abbott, Ann Maine.

The following programs will receive funding:

$65,000 – United Way of Lake County’s Summer Kindergarten Readiness Program (KCC)

Beach Park, North Chicago, Round Lake & Waukegan

Provide children, who have never been to preschool, with summer learning opportunities and materials for kindergarten readiness.

$32,250 – United Way of Lake County’s Home Visiting program

North Chicago, Waukegan & Zion

Home Visiting provides in-home early intervention via phone and video for families (with infants and preschool-age kids) struggling with poverty and who have limited access to health and community services. Funding will support high-risk families in North Chicago, Waukegan and Zion with their most critical needs. The collaboration will provide this essential service to 20 more families.

$25,000 – B.E.S.T. Pre-K Program

Round Lake

Funding will continue to allow this Round Lake Park District program to provide 20 scholarships for children who otherwise would not have access to preschool. With this opportunity, children will be prepared for kindergarten and ready to learn.

$15,000 – United Way of Lake County’s Better Together program

Green Bay Early Childhood Center in North Chicago

A weekly mail-in program for young children (birth to three years) and their caregiver where they receive resources and materials to learn, play and develop school readiness skills together.

$15,000 – Mano a Mano

Round Lake

Funding will launch the Healthy Kids/Healthy Families Initiative which will expand literacy programs for families with 3-5 year olds through home visits.

$8,000 – United Way of Lake County’s Early Learning Clubs

Waukegan Public Library

Early Learning Clubs provide bi-lingual opportunities for children to learn basic skills while their parents are empowered to be their child’s first teacher. Curbside pick-up will connect more children to Early Learning Clubs.

$5,000 – HUGS/North Preschool Partnership

Waukegan 

HUGS (Heroines United for Giving and Support) is a community engagement initiative of Women United where members embrace a school, project or community with the resources and care it needs to succeed. Last year, Women United’s HUGS Committee started a new partnership with North Preschool in Waukegan to support reading in schools, special events, family programming, parent workshops and other curricula to enhance learning programs for the 140 students.

Women United of Lake County is a powerful network of more than 100 women who enable each other to leverage our passions, ideas, expertise and resources to ensure children living in Lake County’s most vulnerable communities are prepared for kindergarten and ready to succeed. Women United is a critical community within United Way of Lake County.

Thinking ahead to 2021 and beyond, Women United’s philanthropy is poised to continue to grow and mobilize community-minded women through leadership and resource development in order to expand its impact on early childhood literacy.

To learn how you can get involved in Women United of Lake County and to know about the Little Kids, Big Futures Philanthropy Fund Guidelines, please contact Affinity Group Manager, Diana Nielander, at Diana.Nielander@uwlakeco.org.

For more information about Women United, visit: www.LIVEUNITEDlakecounty.org/womenunited

22 May

Women United Allocates Over $500K in Five Years to Early Literacy Programs

by Marketing DepartmentCategories: News, Women United

Women United is Lake County’s premiere women’s organization for strengthening the community through philanthropy, leadership and volunteerism while creating a meaningful sense of belonging.  Just this month, it was announced that Women United will distribute $148,000 through its  Little Kids, Big Futures Philanthropy Fund to support six critical early  literacy programs that will ensure the foundation for strong and successful academic futures for Lake County’s most vulnerable children.

Women United members toured the B.E.S.T Pre-K Program’s Child Development Center at the Round Lake Area Park District to see their funding in action! From Left, Joan Ellis, Judy Armstrong, WU member, Beth Krenzer, WU Member, Lynn Morrissey, Jeanne Kearby, WU member, Jennifer Sparrow, Amy Pruitt.

The following programs will receive funding:

$65,000 – Success By 6 – Kindergarten Countdown Camp in North Chicago, Round Lake & Waukegan (Women United’s signature funded program)

Kindergarten Countdown Camp (KCC) ensures that children who are entering kindergarten with little or no preschool experience get the basic skills they need to start school prepared. This initiative has proven to be successful and, each year, it is tweaked and improved so children begin to build the greatest possible foundation before they start school in the fall. This year, 120 children will attend KCC.

$30,000 – Success By 6 – Home Visiting in North Chicago, Waukegan & Zion

Home Visiting provides in-home early intervention for families — with infants and preschool-age kids — struggling with poverty and who have limited access to health and community services. Funding will support high-risk families in North Chicago, Waukegan and Zion with their most critical needs. Women United increased funding by 30% over last year because it is such an essential service for the most challenged families in Lake County.

$25,000 – B.E.S.T. Pre-K Program

Funding will continue to allow this Round Lake Park District program to provide 20 scholarships for children who otherwise would not have access to preschool. With this opportunity, children will be prepared for kindergarten and ready to learn.

$15,000 – Better Together – Green Bay Early Childhood Center (GBECC)

This early learning program focuses on family engagement and building learning skills for children 0 – 3 years old by providing individualized attention to families. Funding will support 36 sessions. Each session will serve 10 – 12 families.

$8,000 – Early Learning Club – Waukegan Public Library

Early Learning Club provides children entering kindergarten with the basic skills they need to be ready and able to learn and empowers parents to be their child’s first teacher. The library will hold 1 – 2 early learning classes monthly.

$5,000 – HUGS North Preschool – Waukegan 

HUGS (Heroines United for Giving and Support) is a community engagement initiative of Women United where members embrace a school, project or community with the resources and care it needs to succeed. This year, Women United’s HUGS Committee started a new partnership with North Preschool in Waukegan to support reading in schools, special events, family programming, parent workshops and other curricula to enhance learning programs for the 140 students.

Thinking ahead to 2020 and beyond, Women United of Lake County’s philanthropy  is poised to continue to grow and mobilize community-minded women through leadership and resource development in order to expand its impact on early childhood literacy.

To learn how you can get involved in Women United  of Lake County and to know about the Little Kids, Big Futures Philanthropy Fund Guidelines, please contact Affinity Group Manager, Diana Nielander, at Diana.Nielander@uwlakeco.org or plan on attending their next Wine and Learn on August 22 at 6 p.m. in Libertyville. Click here for more information about prospective member events such as Wine & Learns.

For more information about Women United, visit:

www.LIVEUNITEDlakecounty.org/womenunited

22 Mar

Women United Spotlight: Frances Simons

by Jennifer StromCategories: News, WU Member Spotlights

Welcome to Women United’s Member Spotlight series. This week, join us in learning more about Frances Simons and her connection to Women United. If you would like to learn more about Women United and the work they do, click here.

What year did you join Women United?

2016

What is your professional background?

I spent the first 11 years of my career in community banking; last as SVP of Retail Banking Administration for a bank in Lincolnshire, where I spent 10 years. In 1997, I left community banking to utilize my skill set in a different role, serving the banking industry as a Strategic Relationship Manager in the data processing/financial solution outsourcing business. Almost six years ago, after returning to work following four years at home with my daughter when she was a toddler, I totally changed careers and became a Realtor with Baird & Warner at our Libertyville office. Most recently, over the past year, I was offered and accepted an exciting position as Managing Broker for our new Lake Zurich office.

What originally inspired you to be a part of Women United?

I was introduced to Judy Kotsiopoulous, a fellow Women United member, through a friend at church and, through knowing Judy, was introduced to Women United. After attending Power of the Purse, Women United’s annual signature fundraising event, and a Wine & Learn I was really impressed by the hearts of and synergy among the women I met.

What does early childhood education mean to you?

It’s interesting…prior to understanding the mission of Women United, I honestly don’t know that I thought about it very much. I guess growing up in a middle class suburban family with college educated parents and through my own educational journey and that of my daughter, I just took early childhood education for granted…access to it, preparedness for it, etc. Through Women United, my eyes were opened to the challenges within our broader community and my heart expanded. Children are brought into this world and they are so helpless. They don’t get to choose the economic, familial or geographic circumstances that they are born into. All children deserve to have champions advocating for them…giving them a voice and access. We at Women United can do that for them…we must do that for them.

What has surprised you most about being involved in Women United?

I’ve previously mentioned the synergy of the women, but the diversity is also refreshing. There are career women, retired women, stay-at-home moms, women of all races, etc. And when all of these women come together, what we are able to do is powerful. Every woman can play a role that is comfortable for them during any given season of their lives, whether that season is providing for them to make solely a monetary contribution, or a contribution of volunteering time or participation on one of our committees; there’s something for everyone and everyone’s role, whatever they choose it to be, is relevant and impactful.

What does Women United mean to you?

It means community, it means purpose, it means friendships. It means helping to create an opportunity for a meaningful future for the littlest in our communities.

What would you say to a woman who is interested in becoming a member of Women United?

I would say, jump in! Our members truly have servant’s hearts and all members feel valued. This organization has no pretenses and best of all our “no guilt” culture provides for all women to contribute when and how they are best able at any given season of their lives. I invite you to give me a call. I’d be glad to have you be my guest at an upcoming Wine & Learn (Note: see below for more info.)

Women United has periodic informational meetings, called Wine & Learns. The next Wine & Learn is on May 9, 2019 from 6-7:30 PM in Lake Forest at a member’s home. Interested? Contact Janice Scarbalis at janice.scarbalis@uwlakeco.org. View this event on Facebook here.

Learn more about Women United here.

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18 Feb

Women United Spotlight: Deb Waszak

by Jennifer StromCategories: News, WU Member Spotlights

Welcome to Women United’s Member Spotlight series. This week, join us in learning more about Deb Waszak and her connection to Women United. If you would like to learn more about Women United and the work they do, click here.

What year did you join Women United?

2016

What is your professional background?

I’ve spent my professional life working in government or consulting for government. Currently, I work in municipal management for the City of North Chicago.

What originally inspired you to be a part of Women United?

Women United is an impressive and purposeful group of dedicated women making a positive difference in the community. The commitment to early childhood education in our distressed communities and their results in those communities, including the City of North Chicago, is what inspired me to be a part of the group.

What does early childhood education mean to you?

Research has shown that children taught at an early age benefit in many ways because substantial brain development happens during the early years. This can have a profound positive impact on the child and community. Attention and investment in early childhood education, especially in disadvantaged communities, can put children on a path of lifelong learning and success.

What has surprised you most about being involved in Women United?

The flexibility of Women United is wonderful. Women can participate according to their schedules, preferences and interests. That’s why it’s easy to be a part of this group year after year.

What does Women United mean to you?

It’s a group of game-changing women from diverse backgrounds united for a common cause.

What would you say to a woman who is interested in becoming a member of Women United?

Join!
(Note: see below to learn more about Women United’s next informational meeting.)

Women United has periodic informational meetings, called Wine & Learns. The next Wine & Learn is on May 9, 2019 from 6-7:30 PM in Lake Forest at a member’s home. Interested? Contact Janice Scarbalis at janice.scarbalis@uwlakeco.org.

Learn more about Women United here.

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22 Jan

Women United Spotlight: Tami Pilot-Matias

by Jennifer StromCategories: News, WU Member Spotlights

Welcome to Women United’s Member Spotlight series. This week, join us in learning more about Tami Pilot-Matias and her connection to Women United. If you would like to learn more about Women United and the work they do, click here.

What year did you join Women United?

2018

What is your professional background?

I retired in September 2018 after a 35 year career at Abbott/AbbVie as a research scientist and director of a research group.

What originally inspired you to be a part of Women United?

I have been a long-time contributor to United Way of Lake County, as I believe it is important to support my local community. I am particularly interested in Women United’s focus on early childhood education, and now that I have retired and have more free time it seemed like the time was right.

What does early childhood education mean to you?

My mother spent her career in early childhood education, first as a kindergarten teacher and later as a teacher and administrator at the community college level, training future teachers and child care providers. I learned from her how important it is to reach vulnerable children as early as possible.

What has surprised you most about being involved in Women United?

The unselfish passion and commitment that these women bring to the table.

What does Women United mean to you?

 I have only recently joined, but I look forward to the opportunity to make connections with like-minded women who want to make a meaningful difference in our community.

What would you say to a woman who is interested in becoming a member of Women United?

Come to a meeting and meet some of the members – you will find them to be friendly, welcoming, and committed to doing good things.

(Note: see below to learn more about Women United’s next informational meeting.)

Women United has periodic informational meetings, called Wine & Learns. The next Wine & Learn is on January 31, 2019 from 6-7:30 PM in Libertyville at a member’s home. Interested? Contact Janice Scarbalis at janice.scarbalis@uwlakeco.org.

Learn more about Women United here.

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16 Nov

Women United Spotlight: Lynn Morrissey

by Jennifer StromCategories: News, WU Member Spotlights

Welcome to Women United’s Member Spotlight series. This week, join us in learning more about Lynn Morrissey and her connection to Women United. If you would like to learn more about Women United and the work they do, click here.

What year did you join Women United?

2018

What is your professional background?

Recently retired from AbbVie (Information Technology).

What originally inspired you to be a part of Women United?

Over the years, I’ve volunteered on United Way Allocation Panels to help review programs and recommend funding and have learned a lot about the many urgent needs in Lake County. I truly believe that Women United’s efforts to improve childhood literacy will help set vulnerable kids on the path to reach their full potential and help to reverse the cycle of poverty in Lake County.

What does early childhood education mean to you?

Little kids are innately so smart. They soak up information like sponges. They are primed to take advantage of learning opportunities and develop the skills they need to succeed. Early education programs give them the confidence to know that they are smart and will do well. Kids without these opportunities often have challenges keeping up with the rest of the class and tragically may see themselves as less able than their peers which can set them up for a lifetime of underachievement. This doesn’t need to happen. Early education is an effective intervention.

What has surprised you most about being involved in Women United?

As a new retiree, I’m so used to being “heads down” to address work and home responsibilities. It’s been awesome to have the time to lift my head up and see that there are so many wonderful women in Lake County making a difference in children’s lives. It’s been a great experience meeting and working with this group.

What does Women United mean to you?

It’s a fun and meaningful way to give back.

What would you say to a woman who is interested in becoming a member of Women United?

Don’t hesitate. There are many rewarding and fun opportunities for social and philanthropic activities. You can adjust your commitment based on interest and available time.

Women United has periodic informational meetings, called Wine & Learns. The next Wine & Learn is on December 5, 2018 from 6-7:30 PM in Libertyville at a member’s home. Interested? Contact Diana Nielander at diana.nielander@uwlakeco.org.

Learn more about Women United here.

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26 Oct

Women United Spotlight: Christine Rich

by Jennifer StromCategories: News, WU Member Spotlights

Welcome to Women United’s Member Spotlight series. This week, join us in learning more about Christine Rich and her connection to Women United. If you would like to learn more about Women United and the work they do, click here.

What year did you join Women United?

2018

What is your professional background?

I graduated from University of Iowa with a Liberal Arts degree and for many years worked in the computer industry selling hardware. For five years after my children started school, I worked at Sedol as a teaching assistant. I am currently a RE/MAX Showcase Real Estate Agent.

What originally inspired you to be a part of Women United?

I felt a need to volunteer more of my time to local organizations. After looking into a few different organizations, I attended a Wine and Learn to find out more about Women United. I was very impressed with the women and their commitment to the organization.

What does early childhood education mean to you?

Early childhood education is crucial to a children’s development. My youngest son, Matthew, who is currently a sophomore in high school, has struggled with reading and dyslexia since kindergarten. After a few years of school, we noticed that Matthew had started to fall behind in reading and comprehension. Unfortunately he wasn’t getting the help he needed in the school system. We turned to a few different reading specialists and private tutors during the elementary and intermediate school years to get him the support he needed. Sadly, I was told by some of Matt’s teachers that he was lazy and didn’t want to learn. I knew the problem wasn’t that Matthew was lazy, but rather that he just couldn’t read. In 7th grade, a friend gave me some great advice. She told me to have Matthew diagnosed by a neurologist. Matthew was diagnosed with Dyslexia and other reading disabilities. With a lot of research and help from the community, I found a wonderful program out of Lake Zurich for children with reading disorders and dyslexia. We started to see results with Matthew and his progress with reading. We also found an amazing tutor in Gurnee who currently works with Matthew. Reading is very important. I want to be able to help other children with similar reading issues succeed in school. Matthew still struggles everyday with this disability, but he’s a fighter, and with the tools he has learned, I know that he will do well.

What has surprised you most about being involved in Women United?

I love the purpose, work and dedication of the women I have met in this organization.

What does Women United mean to you?

Women United means a group of women who are working together for a common result. I’m proud to be a part of this organization and hope in the future to meet all of you and find more time to volunteer with such a wonderful organization.

What would you say to a woman who is interested in becoming a member of Women United?

There something for everyone in this organization. It’s a great way to volunteer for a wonderful cause. Also, it’s a great way to meet other women in social opportunities.

Women United has periodic informational meetings, called Wine & Learns. The next Wine & Learn is on December 5, 2018 from 6-7:30 PM in Libertyville at a member’s home. Interested? Contact Diana Nielander at diana.nielander@uwlakeco.org.

Learn more about Women United here.

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