In celebration of Read Across America, we organized 48 community and corporate volunteers to share the joy of reading with the students at Howe Elementary in Beach Park and Pleviak Elementary in Lake Villa.
The volunteers read stories that amplified this year’s theme, Celebrating Diversity, in English and Spanish. All the books were donated to the teachers so that they could continue to grow their classroom libraries.
Teachers love this interaction because it helps to provide a model of reading fluency, introduces new vocabulary, and helps to increase attention spans in our young learners. Our volunteer readers also help children see themselves in books, feel validated and confident, and have pride in their experiences and cultures.
Thank you to all our incredible volunteers for sharing their love of reading with these students! View photos from both events below.
Register for Kindergarten Countdown Camp
Kindergarten Countdown Camp(KCC) is our free summer learning program for children entering kindergarten this fall who have little to no preschool experience. Children who attend KCC will adjust to the classroom setting, practice following directions and rules, and practice key kindergarten skills. KCC is a great opportunity to get your child prepared to succeed in kindergarten.
Registration is now open for students in the Antioch, Beach Park, Round Lake and Zion school districts. Waukegan is coming soon.
Antioch: June 5 – 27
Beach Park: July 29 – August 14
Round Lake: June 3 – 27
Zion: June 3 – July 11
Interested? Fill out the form for your school district at the link below.
SUCCESS STORY
Speaking Up and Making Friends
When Ruben entered Kindergarten Countdown Camp(KCC), he felt uncomfortable talking with teachers or his classmates. He remained quiet throughout the day and would play by himself during free time and recess.
After two weeks at KCC, Ruben started participating during the class instruction, and he answered questions when he was called on. Ruben began to feel more comfortable in his new environment, and his connections with his classmates grew.
By the end of KCC, Ruben’s classmates became his friends. He would talk to them throughout the day and play with them at recess. As Ruben’s sense of confidence increased, his engagement in learning grew. He was able to express his thoughts and emotions verbally with his teachers, and he was speaking up louder and confidently when participating in class.
The progress and growth Ruben made in KCC has prepared him for successful learning in kindergarten!
Another Successful Year of Mentoring Middle Schoolers
Leaders United, our affinity group of young professionals, wrapped up another successful year of their mentoring program called Breakfast Club with the 8th graders at Robert Abbott Middle School in Waukegan.
The students were eager to participate in each session and the conversations were meaningful. They engaged in discussions around topics to support mental wellness and social-emotional learning. We are proud that these students are leaving middle school with more of the tools they need to successfully overcome obstacles as they transition into high school.
To celebrate the students and prepare them for their next steps, each student was gifted with Waukegan High School spirit wear. We are wishing these students much success in high school and beyond!
Create Your Legacy
Donors from all walks of life at all income levels can make an investment in securing the future of our community. The process is simple, and the impact will last for generations.
There are many ways to make a charitable gift, such as donating stock or securities, using your IRA or donor-advised fund, and including us in your will or living trust. Learn about the many ways to give by clicking below.
Lunch & Learn About Women United
Are you looking for new ways to make a measurable difference for children and families in Lake County or new opportunities to volunteer and socialize? You can do all of that and more with Women United! Learn about becoming a member by joining us virtually on Wednesday, May 1 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Women United mobilizes more than 145 amazing women to help ensure that all children living in Lake County have an equal opportunity to start school ready to succeed. Women United also has a vibrant calendar of social, volunteer and philanthropic events to make it fun and doable regardless of your busy schedule.
Lake County’s Guide to Holiday Giving & Volunteering
Our annual Holiday Guide is now available! It includes giving and volunteer opportunities throughout Lake County, agency wish lists and contact information for food pantries to help our neighbors in need.
When we work together to support our community, we all flourish, making Lake County a truly enviable place to live and work for all.
Be a Community Hero for Children and Families in Lake County
We are on a mission to close gaps and open opportunities, building a stronger community where everyone can thrive. Together, we can create a community where heroes abound. Can we count on your support this holiday season?
By supporting education initiatives like Success By 6 and Youth Success, you become a hero for local children, ensuring they have the tools and skills for a successful future. Our 211 helpline, a beacon for those in need, has guided over 250,000 people to essential services—a lifeline made possible by heroes like you.
Through December 19, you can double your impact! Healthcare Foundation of Northern Lake County is matching all new or increased gifts up to $10K!
Watch our NEW VIDEO where a group of enthusiastic neighborhood kids join forces to support United Way of Lake County!
Power of the Purse Raises Funds for Early Education
On November 5, Women United held their signature fundraising event, Power of the Purse. A sold-out crowd of more than 200 women joined forces to celebrate women, friendship and philanthropy. They enjoyed an afternoon of brunch, bubbly, purses, raffles and more. This year’s event raised nearly $70K!
Power of the Purse was a resounding success, thanks to the generous support of our members, attendees, including many first-timers as well as valued returning guests, and sponsors. The room buzzed with energy as attendees engaged in meaningful conversations and raised their hands in support of early childhood education. The event showcased the incredible impact that can be achieved when a community comes together with a shared vision for positive change.
Power of the Purse raises funds for Women United’s Little Kids, Big Futures philanthropy fund, which supports critical, local early education programs that focus on building the foundation for strong and successful academic futures.
Hispanic Heritage Month Books Distributed Throughout Community
Thank you to our Hispanic Heritage Month Book Drive donors! You helped us distribute 135 books to Greenwood Elementary, Clearview Elementary and Warren-Newport Library. Now more local children will have access to stories that promote cultural awareness, celebrate diversity, and honor Latinx and Hispanic culture.
Six Flags Student Leadership Summit
Six Flags Great America invited our Breakfast Club students to participate in their first-ever Student Leadership Summit. The more than 30 eighth graders got a behind-the-scenes tour and learned about Six Flags’ business operations. The students also immersed themselves in an exclusive day of learning with workshops on topics such as time management, personal finance and mindfulness.
Thank you to Six Flags Great America for sponsoring this incredible event! We can’t wait to see where these skills take our students.
“Six Flags had the wonderful opportunity of hosting United Way of Lake County’s Breakfast Club students at the park for a day full of enriching leadership workshops,” said Rachel Kendziora, Communications Specialist at Six Flags. “We were thrilled to have hosted such a positive event that enhanced the students’ growth and leadership.”
Leaders Have Wings
Our young professionals leadership group, Leaders United, has partnered with Wingstop to host a fundraiser in support of our before-school mentorship program, Breakfast Club, which provides a safe, supportive space for middle schoolers to learn the skills needed to be successful in high school and beyond.
Join us in supporting local students on December 14, between5:00–8:00 p.m. at the Gurnee or Waukegan Wingstop locations and show them the flyer linked below. 30% of in-store sales will be donated to Leaders United!
“Wine & Learn” About Women United
If you are looking for new ways to connect with amazing women in our community, new opportunities to volunteer and socialize, or new ways to make a measurable difference for children and families in Lake County, please join Women United for a prospective member Wine & Learn on November 28 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at a member’s home in Libertyville. RSVP by emailing Alina.Mozo@uwlakeco.org.
Women United mobilizes more than 135 amazing women to ensure children living in Lake County are prepared for kindergarten and ready to succeed. In addition to caring deeply about this collective effort, they have a vibrant calendar of social, volunteer and philanthropic events to make it fun and doable regardless of your busy schedule.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Goals
At United Way of Lake County, we are committed to aligning our culture and business practices to advance diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) to better address our community’s needs. We recently finalized our DEI goals for fiscal year 2024 and are pleased to share them.
We’re Hiring: 211 Community Engagement Coordinator
We are looking for an innovative individual enthusiastic about serving others to help ensure that 211 Lake County excels in delivering referral services and information to people of Lake County. The 211 Community Engagement Coordinator is a key team member responsible for ensuring that 211 Lake County helps provide a positive experience and value to Lake County community members and stakeholders.
In early March, community and corporate volunteers gathered to share the joy of reading with students at Howe Elementary in Beach Park and at Pleviak Elementary in Lake Villa.
The volunteers read stories that amplified this year’s theme, Bringing Communities Together, in both English and Spanish. Each reader shared about their jobs and roles in the community. Then all the books were given to the teachers so that they could continue to grow their classroom libraries.
Teachers love this interaction because it helps to provide a model of reading fluency, introduces new vocabulary, and helps to increase attention spans in our young learners. Our readers also help children see themselves in books, feel validated and confident, and have pride in their experiences and cultures.
Thank you to all our incredible volunteer readers for sharing their love of reading with these students! View photos from both events below.
Register for Kindergarten Countdown Camp
Kindergarten Countdown Camp (KCC) is our free summer learning program for children entering kindergarten this fall who have little to no preschool experience. Children who attend KCC will adjust to the classroom setting, practice following directions and rules, and practice key kindergarten skills. KCC is a great opportunity to get your child prepared to succeed in kindergarten.
Registration is now open for students in the Beach Park, Round Lake and Waukegan school districts. KCC in Beach Park runs from June 5 – 22, Round Lake runs from June 5 – 29, and Waukegan runs from June 5 – 29.
Interested? Fill out the form for your school district at the link below.
Another Successful Year of Mentoring Middle Schoolers
Leaders United, our affinity group of young professionals, recently wrapped up another successful year of their mentoring program called Breakfast Club with the 8th graders at Robert Abbott Middle School in Waukegan.
The students were eager to participate in each session and the conversations were meaningful. They engaged in discussions around topics to support mental wellness and social-emotional learning. We are proud that these students are leaving middle school with more of the tools they need to successfully overcome obstacles as they transition into high school.
To celebrate the students and prepare them for their next steps, each student was gifted with Waukegan High School spirit wear. Each student was also given a journal to keep track of their journey and earbuds to use for their assessments and testing. We are wishing these students much success in high school and beyond!
Thank you to Medline for your support of this program!
Women United’s Corporate Future Leaders of Color Closes Inaugural Year On a High Note
The eleven strong women who took the risk to join the first-ever cohort of Women United’s Corporate Future Leaders of Color program celebrated the end of a wonderful year with their mentors and other United Way supporters on March 14.
The program offered networking, community service, leadership, social, and mentorship opportunities to these women whose companies sponsored their $1,000 investment in Women United. Through a community service project sponsored by AbbVie, one-on-one personalized mentoring meetings, and a series of unique Success Seminars focused on strengths, these leaders grew in their confidence to step into their own leadership professionally and in the community.
Everyone involved enjoyed and learned so much from the program, and Women United is proud to announce they’ll launch a second cohort this coming fall. If you’d like to be a cohort member, mentor, or if you’re a business leader who wishes to invest in one of your up-and-coming women of color, please reach out to Jessica Ceisel at Jessica.Ceisel@uwlakeco.org.
Help Us Win $15K!
Help us win up to $15K from Old National Bank! Old National is donating $500K to community nonprofits in Illinois, Iowa, Northwest Indiana and select areas of Southeast Wisconsin. Use the link below to vote for United Way of Lake County once a day thru March 31!
Black History Month Reading Day in Waukegan
In honor of Black History Month, Great Lakes Credit Union (GLCU) partnered with us to coordinate a special reading day at North Elementary in Waukegan. This event brought GLCU readers into classrooms to share stories that celebrated Black characters, culture and traditions. GLCU sponsored all the books, which were given to the school after the event. Each student also received a copy of the book “Nigel and the Moon” to take home to build their at-home book collection and encourage reading outside of school.
Thank you, GLCU, for being such a strong supporter of Black History Month and our Lake County community!
Aon Serving the Community
In celebration of Women’s History Month, Aon volunteers spent time at Keeping Families Covered where they collected items to share with local families. During their time on site, the volunteers helped with packing diapers and sorting clothing in preparation for future community distributions.
Aon is also gearing up for their Employee Giving Campaign next month. Since 1996, Aon employees have been generous supporters not only with their donations but also with their time. Aon continues to be a great supporter of our work and events.
Thank you to Aon and all the Aon volunteers for taking the time to support our Lake County families! We would also like to thank Michelle Hansen, Senior Partner at Aon and UWLC Board Member, for helping to coordinate this wonderful volunteer event.
Honoring Gale Graves’ Impact
Gale Graves, our VP of Community Impact, was recently honored as a local hero for her work in breaking barriers and impacting the next generation of African American leaders in Lake County. Congratulations, Gale! Thank you to the scholars at Affirm Leadership Christian Academy for recognizing Gale’s impact in the community.
We’re Hiring: 211 Manager
We are seeking an innovative individual passionate about serving others to develop and lead a team in ensuring that 211 Lake County excels in the delivery of referral services and information to the residents of Lake County. The 211 Manager will be responsible for ensuring that 211 Lake County provides a positive experience for individuals, non-profit organizations and government agencies and is a valued partner to stakeholders throughout the county.
We’ve been responding to our community’s most pressing needs for a full century and are proud of the difference we’ve made and continue to make in the lives of our friends and neighbors. While the support we’ve provided has changed with the needs of Lake County, the one thing that has remained constant is our dedication to building a better community for all.
Lake County’s Guide to Holiday Giving & Volunteering
Each holiday season, we publish our Holiday Guide that includes giving and volunteer opportunities throughout Lake County. The guide also includes agency wish lists and contact information for food pantries to help our neighbors in need.
When we work together to support our community, we all flourish, making Lake County a truly enviable place to live and work for all.
Double Your Impact for Children and Families in Lake County
Through December 20, you can DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT for our neighbors in need.
With your support, United Way can continue to provide local children, youth, and families with tools to build a path to education and lifelong success, and connect people with life-changing resources. Together, we can make real, lasting change.
Your gift goes further to strengthen our community thanks to Healthcare Foundation of Northern Lake County, which is matching all new or increased gifts up to $10K.
Hispanic Heritage Month Books Distributed Throughout Community
We celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month by raising funds to purchase children’s books filled with the rich stories, bright colors, and time-honored traditions of the Hispanic culture. We are proud to share that the book drive was a great success and more than 1,100 books, in English and Spanish, were distributed to 15 schools and community organizations.
We are so excited for our young learners to pick up a book and immerse themselves in the beauty of Hispanic culture! Thank you to all the donors who made these gifts possible!
Power of the Purse Raises Record $70K for Early Education
On November 6, Women United held their signature fundraising event, Power of the Purse, at the Royal Melbourne Country Club in Long Grove. A sold-out crowd of more than 200 women joined forces to celebrate women, friendship and philanthropy. They enjoyed an afternoon of champagne brunch, games, purses, jewelry and more. This year’s event raised a record $70K!
Power of the Purse raises funds for Women United’s Little Kids, Big Futures philanthropy fund, which supports critical early education programs that focus on building the foundation for strong and successful academic futures.
“Wine & Learn” About Women United
If you are looking for new ways to connect with amazing women in our community, new opportunities to volunteer and socialize, or new ways to make a measurable difference for children and families in Lake County, pleasejoin Women United for a prospective member Wine & Learn on December 7 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Anam Cara Cafe in Libertyville. RSVP by emailing Katie.Martinez@uwlakeco.org.
Women United mobilizes more than 120 amazing women to ensure children living in Lake County’s most challenged communities are prepared for kindergarten and ready to succeed. In addition to caring deeply about this collective effort, they have a vibrant calendar of social, volunteer and philanthropic events to make it fun and doable regardless of your busy schedule.
Breakfast Club Alumni Interview
Check out our new video interview below with Breakfast Club alumni, Katherine Rivas, who shares her experience as a mentee and how participating in the program guided her toward success in high school and beyond.
Breakfast Club is a before-school mentorship program that provides 8th graders with mentoring in academics, helps build their confidence and self-esteem, and they learn skills to be successful in their transition to high school. This program is hosted by Leaders United and is in partnership with Robert Abbott Middle School in Waukegan.
Would you like to be part of this powerful mentoring experience? Contact Michelle at michelle.sanchez@uwlakeco.org to learn more about becoming a Leaders United member.
In early March, community and corporate volunteer readers gathered in person and virtually to share the joy of reading with elementary school students at Pleviak in Lake Villa, Little Fort in Waukegan and East in Zion. Throughout the week, 62 volunteers read to more than 1,050 pre-K to third-grade students.
Teachers love this interaction because it helps to provide a model of reading fluency, introduces new vocabulary, and helps to increase attention spans in our young learners. Our readers also help children see themselves in books, feel validated and confident, and have pride in their experiences and cultures.
Thank you to all our incredible volunteer readers for sharing their love of reading with these students! We created a video slideshow with photos from all three locations. Check it out below.
Thank you to Internet Essentials for sponsoring this event!
UWLC Receives Community Service Award
The Waukegan Park District recently presented United Way of Lake County with a Community Service Award for our support of their Before & After School Experience (B.A.S.E.) Program for elementary school students. Our funding helped keep the cost of the program affordable for local families.
Thank you, Waukegan Park District! We appreciate your wonderful partnership and recognition of our impact on children in the Waukegan community.
Watch the award presentation in the video below.
Read Across America Book Drive
In February, we partnered with the 19th Judicial Circuit Court of Illinois, the Lake County Bar Association and the Association of Women Attorneys of Lake County (AWALC) to conduct a book drive that aimed to increase local elementary school children’s access to books promoting a positive equity message.
Many community members contributed to our online fund and both the Lake County Bar Association and the AWALC presented us with $1,000 checks. We are proud to announce that we were able to raise $3,117!
A huge thank you to our partners and everyone who contributed! Now more children will have access to books by diverse authors and that feature diverse characters. We will soon be dropping off 856 books in English and Spanish for grades K-5 at North Elementary in Waukegan. Keep an eye on our social media pages because we plan to share photos from the drop-off soon.
Breakfast Club Sessions Back In Person
Leaders United members have returned to Robert Abbott Middle School to start up their Breakfast Club sessions with a select group of 8th-grade students. This program offers before-school mentorship and tutoring. Through bi-monthly engagement, RAMS Scholars are provided support to help them prepare for the transition from middle school to high school and build skills that will lead to lifelong, healthy habits.
Register for Kindergarten Countdown Camp
Kindergarten Countdown Camp (KCC) is our free summer learning program for children entering kindergarten this fall who have little to no preschool experience. Children who attend KCC will adjust to the classroom setting, practice following directions and rules, and practice key kindergarten skills. KCC is a great opportunity to get your child prepared to succeed in kindergarten.
Registration is now open for students in the Gurnee, North Chicago, Round Lake and Waukegan school districts. KCC in Gurnee runs from June 13–July 8, North Chicago runs from June 21–July 28, Round Lake runs from June 7–June 30, and Waukegan runs from June 6–June 30.
Interested? Fill out the registration form for your school district at the link below.
Company Spotlight: Medline
Medline, based in Northfield, Illinois, has supported and partnered with United Way of Lake County for many years. Most recently, Medline provided its annual donation to UWLC, which helps support vital programs right here in our community. Medline employees also volunteer their time, providing additional and personal support for these programs.
Medline volunteers support many UWLC initiatives, including community events, collection drives and our Leaders United group. During this past fall, Medline volunteers collected over four pallets of essentials for A Safe Place, including diapers, shampoo, toothbrushes and toothpaste. During the winter, over 20 Medline employees fulfilled community wish lists by donating items such as winter clothing, books and toys.
Medline sponsors young leaders in their organization to participate in our Leaders United group, which enables long-term growth and professional development. Adding three new members in 2022, the eight Medline mentors will assist in developing young leaders in the community. They do this through the following Leaders United initiatives:
Waukegan to College events: Medline leaders support first-generation high school students from Waukegan, helping them to uncover and showcase their leadership skills.
Breakfast Club: Medline leaders support this mentoring program in partnership with Robert Abbott Middle School in Waukegan.
Read Across America: Medline leaders read virtually to students at East Elementary School in Zion.
“Volunteering is one of the greatest ways we have been able to support United Way of Lake County as their programs and initiatives continue to provide essential and emergency resources needed by the community,” said Karen Frey, philanthropy manager at Medline.
We are grateful for our partnership with Medline and look forward to many more years of collaboration. Thank you for helping us build a stronger Lake County for everyone who lives and works here!
Follow Leaders United on Instagram
Leaders United has joined Instagram to further connect with new members and keep the community up-to-date on their great work in the community. Check out their profile below!
