Waukegan Kindergarten Readiness Improves From 6% to 57%

During fall 2018, United Way of Lake County conducted the fifth Kindergarten Readiness Assessment in Waukegan. United Way has conducted this assessment every three years in Waukegan since 2006. Twelve years ago, a baseline assessment showed that only 6% of the children in Waukegan Public Schools had the skills needed to be successful in kindergarten. The results were a call to action for United Way to launch the Success By 6 Program, designed to promote healthy early childhood development to ensure children enter school ready to succeed.

Today, based on the same assessment, we are thrilled to announce that the percentage of Waukegan children who arrive at kindergarten ready to succeed in school has increased from 6% to 57%!

The Success By 6 Program is very excited to continue its efforts to increase kindergarten readiness in Waukegan and is grateful to everyone who made this 2018 assessment possible. A special thank you to the teachers, staff and principals at Waukegan School District! This wouldn’t have been possible without your support.

Learn more about the Success By 6 Program by clicking below.

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

There are several upcoming volunteer opportunities that you or your company can get involved in. Here are three examples of upcoming one-time opportunities:

STEM for Girls

When: Saturday, February 23, 2019 (11:45 a.m. – 1:10 p.m.)

Where: College of Lake County Grayslake Campus

STEM for Girls is a free event for girls in grades 7 through 12 who are interested in STEM Programs. During the Lunch and Learn, volunteers will share how STEM degrees impact their companies. Volunteers representing a STEM related company come and share with girls and their parents about STEM careers, internships, and scholarship opportunities at their companies.

Host a Job Shadow Half-Day with High School Students

This is a unique opportunity for companies to have a personal engagement with high school students over one morning. Educations Talent Search/TRIO at College of Lake County has requested four job shadow opportunities for their partnering high schools: Waukegan High School, North Chicago High School, Round Lake High School, and Zion-Benton Township High School.

ETS/TRIO serves first generation college-bound students. This event will allow students to visit companies to learn more about professional work life. This interaction will allow students the opportunity to engage with volunteer professionals, ask questions and learn to network. A typical outing includes 30-40 students “job shadowing” 15 company employees.

Dr. Seuss Readers

Join us on March 1, 2019, to participate in Dr. Seuss’ Birthday and Read Across America Day. Volunteers will be “guest readers” and share their love of reading with kindergarten through third grade children.

Interested in volunteering? Contact Bobbi Selvik at Bobbi.Selvik@uwlakeco.org.

View our full list of volunteer opportunities – both one-time and ongoing – by clicking the button below. 

211 Coming Soon to lake County

At the end of 2018, United Way of Lake County announced that our goal to launch 211 in Lake County has been reached!

211 is a powerful information referral service, equipped with tools to solve problems of all magnitudes including crisis and disaster phone calls and texts. Currently, 94% of our country has an established 211 program but less than 30% of Illinois residents have access to 211 and Lake County, IL residents do not have any access. Thanks to the support of many local partners, United Way will change that in Spring 2019 when we launch 211 in Lake County!

But our work is not over! Working together, we can provide this vital service for many years to come and ensure that all 703,000 Lake County residents have access to critical information and resources. Together, we can ensure that Lake County’s 211 system transforms the way our residents find help.

If you’d like to make a gift to help sustain 211 in year two, please click here.

Thank you to our following partners who are supporting the 211 implementation in Lake County:

Learn more about 211 Lake County by clicking the button below.
Want to receive updates about 211 Lake County via email? Click here to sign-up.

Host a Dr. Seuss Book Drive

On March 1, we are celebrating Dr. Seuss’ birthday and Read Across America Day. For the last several years, we have organized an event in which volunteers visit local schools and read Dr. Seuss books to students.

This year, we are collecting Dr. Seuss books that will be donated to schools in Lake County in honor of Read Across America Day. You can help us by hosting a book drive with your friends, family or co-workers to collect new or gently-used Dr. Seuss books by Friday, February 22. We need books in both English and Spanish.

To coordinate a drop-off, contact Karla Medina Alamar at Karla.Alamar@uwlakeco.org or (847) 775-1010.

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New Board Members Spotlight

United Way of Lake County recently welcomed new members to the Board of Directors. hear from Paul Lotharius and Steve Carlson about why they decided to join UWLC’s Board. Click the buttons below to read their full Q&As.

“Joining the UWLC Board is a way of feeling connected to, and a part of, something that is bigger than just me and my family”.

-Paul Lotharius, President/CEO of HeatlhFitness at Trustmark Companies

“Working to bring 211 to Lake County, I’ve become acquainted with the many remarkable, dedicated people in the United Way organization”. 

-Steve Carlson, Lake County Board Member

Marketing Internship Opportunity

Know a college student looking for a Marketing/Communications internship? Interning with United Way is a great way to get hands on experience, learn new skills and make a difference in your community, all while building your resume.

Want to apply? Send your cover letter and resume to Rita at Rita.Zaluzec@uwlakeco.org

Click the button below to learn more.

Women United Invites You to the Next Wine & Learn

Start off 2019 with new friendships, connections and a renewed purpose! Join us on January 31 at 6 p.m. in Libertyville to learn more about membership with Women United and the way we mobilize our efforts to support early childhood literacy.

Together we strengthen Lake County through philanthropy, leadership and volunteerism with a flexible program structure that enables busy, successful women to engage at whatever level works best for them. Be a part of something bigger this year.

Want to Join? Please RSVP to Janice at Janice.Scarbalis@uwlakeco.org before January 28.

Learn more about the event on Facebook by clicking the button below.

Thank You, Wolters Kluwer!

Our sincere thanks to Melissa O’Keefe, Jennifer Robertson and the Charitable Contributions Committee at Wolters Kluwer in Riverwoods, Illinois for their generous year-end gift.

These funds will support our vision to assure that Lake County children and families are successful in school, work, and life.

5 Tips Before Doing Your Taxes

In preparation for the tax season, we have put together a list of five key tips to consider before doing your taxes.

Tip #1: Don’t pay to file your taxes.

Find out why and see all five tips by clicking below.