03 Mar

February 2023 e-Newsletter

by Lauren SchwabeCategories: News, Newsletter

Lake County Celebrates 211 Day!

In special recognition of United Way of Lake County’s 211, the Lake County Board, as well as the City of Waukegan, Village of Gurnee, and City of Zion, have all proclaimed February 11 as “211 Day”! We are grateful to our local government partners for their generous support of our 211 service, as well as the many other partners and individuals who have contributed to help make 211 a reality for our community.

211 has already made a tremendous impact, making nearly 200,000 connections to essential health and human services. 211 Day is a wonderful opportunity to continue to raise awareness of this vital service to improve and save lives here in Lake County.

We invite you to help us spread the word about 211. Check out our social media channels for posts to share and visit 211LakeCounty.org for more information and materials.

Help Create and Revitalize Our Early Learning Trails

As we look ahead to spring and warmer days, we are looking for volunteers to create and revitalize our Early Learning Trails (ELTs) across Lake County. ELTs are publicly accessible outdoor learning games designed to develop children’s academic readiness and encourage active movement and play. The brightly painted trails marked by numbers, letters and shapes help children develop social, cognitive, and kinesthetic skills in a fun and safe space.

Thanks to the generosity of our corporate and community sponsors, children in Lake County have access to dozens of these trails. If you’re interested in creating or revitalizing an ELT with your organization, please contact Bobbi.Selvik@uwlakeco.org.

Because Kids Don’t Come With Instructions

Bright by Text is a great free resource for anyone looking to receive activities, child development information and other tools to assist in their parenting journey. This national texting program’s messages include topics like brain development, health and wellness, STEM, safety and more. The content comes from trusted partners like PBS and Sesame Street and is available in English and Spanish.

It’s easy to sign up. Simply text “UWLC” to 274-448. We only ask for your child’s birth date and zip code. That way, you’ll get messages timed to their exact age and information about local events and resources, including information about our very own early education programs. We will never share your information.

Young Professionals Who Make a Difference

Want to create positive change in your community while connecting and having fun with other young professionals? Leaders United of Lake County is a group within United Way that provides opportunities such as mentoring local middle school students, volunteer projects, building leadership experience, networking with community leaders, and more.

Interested in getting involved? Contact Michelle.Sanchez@uwlakeco.org.

STORY: David Prepares to Succeed in School

In celebration of Better Together being back in session for spring, we would like to share a story about a boy who attended our program named David.

When David was just one year old, David’s mom, Lia, knew how important it was to spend time educating David, so she signed up for United Way of Lake County’s Better Together program. Better Together is for North Chicago families with children birth to three years old. Through Better Together, parents can learn how to become their child’s first teacher and the program provides a safe place where children can develop the readiness, physical and cognitive skills crucial to their education.

David engaged in the weekly program, learning, playing, and exploring. It fostered David’s love of learning and helped to prepare David for success in school. Lia shared that “Better Together helped shape David’s development and prepared him for school in so many ways. David is so smart and detail oriented. He already knows his multiplication!”

When we give children a solid educational foundation, they are better prepared to succeed in school and life. David is well on his way—on his path to success.

Welcome, Angela Ramirez!

Angela Ramirez recently joined our United Way family as Community Engagement Coordinator. Angela comes to us with over three decades of experience in Family and Community Engagement and Bilingual Education within a local school district. In her new role, Angela will assist with our community and volunteer projects.

Get to know Angela—her favorite part of her job, what she does in her free time, and more—by clicking below.

23 Feb

February 2022 e-Newsletter

by Lauren SchwabeCategories: News, Newsletter

Lake County Recognizes February 11 as 211 Day

In special recognition of our 211 helpline, the Lake County Board proclaimed February 11 as “211 Day” in Lake County, Illinois. We are grateful to Lake County government for their partnership and generous support of our 211 service, as well as the many partners and individuals who have contributed to help make 211 a reality for our community.

211 has already made a tremendous impact, making more than 125,000 connections to essential health and human services. 211 Day is a wonderful opportunity to continue to raise awareness of this vital service to improve and save lives here in Lake County.

Watch below as Deanna Olmem, Manager of 211, shares remarks about 211 in Lake County, followed by Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart reading the special recognition of 211.

Commemorating MLK with Virtual Reading Event

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Great Lakes Credit Union (GLCU) partnered with United Way of Lake County (UWLC) to host a reading event with West Elementary in Zion. Approximately 300 children from third through fifth grades took part in the readings. Both English and Spanish-speaking volunteers read books to the students that highlighted MLK’s work on equity, diversity and civil rights.

“We understand that during this difficult time not all students have easy access to books at home,” said Abraham Santiago, Senior Manager of Community and Financial Education programs at GLCU. “Through our partnership with UWLC, we were excited to not only read to the children virtually in the classroom, but to also send them home with a book they can read with their families so they can continue to learn and grow.”

By partnering with UWLC, GLCU safely served the community and provided literacy support to young students despite the pandemic. We are thankful for GLCU’s partnership as we continue to make an impact on the lives of so many children in our community.

Interested in partnering with us to host a volunteer project with your organization? Contact Bobbi.Selvik@uwlakeco.org.

Read Across America Book Drive

During the month of February, we have partnered with the 19th Judicial Circuit Court of Illinois, the Lake County Bar Association and the Association of Women Attorneys of Lake County to conduct a book drive that aims to increase local elementary school children’s access to books promoting a positive equity message. Join us in helping put books by diverse authors featuring diverse characters into the hands of eager, young readers in our community.

One way you can get involved is by purchasing new books from our wish list and dropping them off at any of the four designated locations, Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Alternatively, you can make an online gift and we will purchase books on your behalf.

Abbott Spreads Some Love with Valentine Project

Earlier this month, we coordinated a project with Abbott where volunteers created beautiful Valentine’s Day cards to share with seniors living in long-term care facilities in Lake County. Thank you Abbott volunteers for taking the time to create so many cheerful, encouraging cards that will certainly bring joy during these cold, wintery days.

Interested in partnering with us to host a volunteer project with your organization? Contact Bobbi.Selvik@uwlakeco.org.

A Conversation with Community-Minded Business Owners

Join Leaders United virtually on February 23 for a conversation with the owners of Drip & Culture in Waukegan, Adam Carson and Nydia Gonzalez, to learn how this socially minded and minority-owned business is creating change in the Lake County community.

To reserve your spot, please contact Bobbi.Selvik@uwlakeco.org.

We’re Hiring: Donor Relations Specialist

We are looking to fill our Donor Relations Specialist position. If you know of anyone who might be a good fit, please share this opportunity with them.

Brief description: The Donor Relations Specialist provides support to Resource Development staff and their efforts to maintain and build relationships with donors to meet the organizational goal of deepened donor relationships.

22 Feb

February 2021 e-Newsletter

by Lauren SchwabeCategories: News, Newsletter

Celebrating Black History Month with Book Drive

To celebrate Black History Month, we are hosting a virtual book drive during the month of February. Help us put books featuring Black characters and influential Black American figures into the hands of eager young readers in our community. We will use the funds to purchase the books and donate them to local elementary schools, increasing access to books promoting a positive equity message.

Lake County Recognizes February 11 as 211 Day

211 has already made a tremendous impact, making more than 70,000 connections to essential health and human services. 211 Day is a wonderful opportunity to continue to raise awareness of this vital service to improve and save lives here in Lake County.

Watch as Lake County Board Member Linda Pedersen reads the special recognition of 211, followed by remarks from Deanna Olmem and Quinton Snodgrass from United Way of Lake County, as well as Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart.

Save the Date: March 18

From corporations to communities, in offices and in homes, people are eager to better understand the issues that divide and unite us based on culture and race. Within our own Lake County community, residents want to take action to break down barriers, bridge differences, and bring people together. Despite all that we see on the news, social media, and within our inner circles, many of us still don’t know what first steps to take. This community dialogue aims to change that. The purpose of this county-wide conversation is to listen, learn and then lead.

Women United of Lake County will be hosting this “Lake County Community Dialogue on Race” on Thursday, March 18 from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Registration information will be shared soon. Mark your calendars today.

Company Spotlight: Amcor Technologies

This month, we would like to highlight Amcor Technologies and its employees at the Buffalo Grove and Mundelein locations. Amcor hosted a variety of raffles and awareness events in support of their annual employee giving campaign that raised nearly $20k for United Way of Lake County’s programs. Thank you so much, Amcor!

Interested in learning more about starting a United Way campaign at your workplace? Learn more below or contact Dennis Burke at (847) 775-1014 or dennis.burke@uwlakeco.org.

Sign Up for Bright by Text

United Way of Lake County has partnered with Bright by Text to provide parents and caregivers of children prenatal to age 8 with information on child development plus local events and resources. We encourage you to try out this free service, and you can stop at any time.

When you sign up, you will receive text messages in English or Spanish that are specific to the age of your child and include local community resources targeted by your zip code. Bright by Text messages include research-based content on child development and learning, as well as information about valuable community services and events happening right here in Lake County.

To sign up, text “UWLC” to 274448; or by clicking below.

We Accepted the Challenge. Will You?

We’ve joined our neighbors across the state to learn how inequity and systemic racism impact our lives and communities. Join the more than 1,000 people from Lake County who have already signed up for the free 21-week Equity Challenge. The Challenge started on January 18 but it’s not too late to join, as it runs through June 19, 2021. You will receive one email per week.

United, we can help create a stronger, more equitable Illinois economy and stronger, more inclusive Illinois communities.

Meet Our New Intern: David Astudillo

We are excited to welcome our newest intern, David Astudillo! We love getting to introduce new people to the work we do at United Way of Lake County.

As part of our 211 team, David is capturing 211 caller stories for our newsletters and collecting monthly report data. He is also assisting the marketing team by gathering social media analytics, offering ideas to enhance UWLC’s presence on social media, and more.

Learn more about David by clicking below.

25 Feb

February 2020 e-Newsletter

by Lauren SchwabeCategories: News, Newsletter

Reading Success Celebrates 10 Years!

We are proud to celebrate 10 years of our Reading Success program in Waukegan Public Schools! The success of this program wouldn’t be possible without the support of the many volunteer tutors who help ensure students are reading at grade level by the end of 3rd grade.

A group of fourteen Lake County Judges, led by Judge Luis A. Berrones, who volunteer in Ms. Chang’s first grade class at North Elementary were recently featured on WGN-TV and in local publications including The North Shore Weekend, Lake County Journal and Puro Futbol.

In honor of Reading Success’ 10-year anniversary, we interviewed tutors, teachers and principals from three different schools that have seen the great impact of this program. First up, North Elementary in Waukegan. We spoke with volunteer tutor Judge Luis A. Berrones, first grade teacher Ms. Chang, and principal Nicole Lemburger. Read their first-hand accounts of how Reading Success has helped students develop strong reading skills and improve reading performance so they can be on track to succeed in school.

February 11 Proclaimed “211 Day”

The Lake County Board officially proclaimed February 11 as “211 Day” in Lake County, IL! Thank you to Lake County Government for being a key community partner in raising awareness and support for this vital service.

From February 11 to February 21, we will be highlighting 211 in our community through a series of 11 posts as part of our #11DaysOf211 social media campaign. You can help us spread the word about 211 by engaging with our posts on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

A Fun Night Out Supporting Local Early Literacy Programs

Join Women United on March 7 for their co-ed Windy City Bingo Bash fundraiser at the Merit Club in Libertyville. Tickets are now available!

Attendees will enjoy a fun night of Juke Box Bingo*, Chicago-style snacks and desserts, beer, wine and cocktails (with and without alcohol), sports-themed games, silent auction, 50/50 raffle and prizes galore.

All proceeds from this event will support early literacy programs through the Little Kids, Big Futures Fund.

*Juke Box Bingo is a combination of “Name That Tune” and traditional BINGO. Instead of listening to numbers being drawn (B-1, I-17, yawn!), you and your friends will be tapping your toes to the beat of the music, sipping your favorite beverages, and stamping bingo cards to win prizes!

Shakou Donating Portion of Sales to Women United

Save the Date! Women United was selected by Shakou Libertyville, an award-winning restaurant serving sushi and Asian cuisine, to be a part of their Shakou Cares program in support of local causes on March 10. That means 10% of that day’s sales, including both food and alcohol, goes to Women United.

Shakou Libertyville is open 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Reserve a table, use their app, or simply stop by for lunch, dinner or after dinner drinks. We hope you come out to support Women United.

Census 2020: How to Make Sure Your Family is Counted

In March and April, you will get information in the mail from the U.S. Census Bureau on how to respond by phone, online or with a mail-in paper questionnaire. You can answer the census questions anytime between March and July.

Starting in May, Census takers will begin visiting homes that have not responded to the 2020 Census to help make sure everyone is counted. The best way to avoid a visit is to respond by phone, online or with the mail-in questionnaire before the end of April.

If you need help responding to the census or have questions, call 211 or text your zip code to 898211. You can also contact United Way of Lake County at (847) 775-1000.

UWLC’s Quinton Snodgrass Selected for Worldwide Leadership Program

Congrats to our VP of Resource Development, Quinton Snodgrass, who has been selected to participate in United Way Worldwide’s Advanced Leadership Program—an accelerated year-long leadership development experience designed for senior level professionals that have demonstrated results and capacity to lead.

“We are proud that Quinton was chosen to be a member of the next class of the Advanced Leadership Program and is among the best and brightest of United Way,” said Kristi Long, President and CEO, United Way of Lake County. “It is leaders like Quinton that will engage with the next generation of donors and carry our mission into the 21st century.”

Selection for the Advanced Leadership Program is based on performance, potential and core competencies. Applications for the program come from the worldwide network of 12,850 people and are open to those working across all departments and groups. This program is available to eighteen applicants each year.

Tag: 211 Day

March 2024 e-Newsletter

February 2024 e-Newsletter

January 2024 e-Newsletter