21 Jul

June 2021 e-Newsletter

by Lauren SchwabeCategories: News, Newsletter

Premier Leaders Event Raises $250K for Our Education Programs and 211

On June 2, we held our 8th annual (and second virtual) Premier Leaders Event. The event featured a data-driven, inspiring keynote address by early childhood expert Dr. Cristina Pacione-Zayas, we discussed our big plans to increase programming that builds equity in Lake County, and we raised funds in support of our work.

We are thrilled to share that we surpassed our fundraising goal and raised a record $250K to support United Way’s educational programs and 211 helpline, thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors and sponsors! The funding will help us meet real needs right here in Lake County and build equity so all our Lake County children can thrive.

Provide Students with the Supplies They Need to Succeed

We have partnered with Waukegan Public Schools to provide students from low-income families with new school supplies. You can join in and help us ensure that students have the tools and self-esteem needed to succeed in school this fall.
You can purchase supplies from our wish list and drop them off curbside at People’s Choice Family Fun Center in Waukegan on Monday, June 28, between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Through July 15, we will be collecting online donations. For just $20, you can sponsor a student, which means a local child will receive a backpack full of all the school supplies they need.

Before school starts this fall, we will distribute backpacks full of supplies to the families that need them most.

Learn how to get involved and help us get the word out.

Ready to LIVE UNITED?

In Lake County, we’ve been taking care of each other to get through the pandemic for more than a year. Still, parents and teachers continue to worry about learning loss, especially for low-income children, and people still need help getting food and access to health care.

Join United Way of Lake County as we continue to galvanize the caring power of our community, where each of our neighbors has:

• A strong start
• A good education
• Financial stability
• Access to health care
• Warm meals and healthy food
• A safe home

We’re ready to LIVE UNITED and make our community one where everyone gets an equal opportunity to achieve a secure and stable future.

Flip Through Our 2020 Annual Report

United Way of Lake County is excited to share our 2020 Annual Report. Flip through to see the collective impact you help make possible.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to every donor, volunteer, corporate and community partner who helps us build a stronger Lake County community!

211: Help Us Spread the Word

We recently launched a social media campaign that highlights the top needs requested from 211 in Lake County to build awareness of the helpline. The number one need category is Housing & Shelter. You can help us spread the word about 211 by sharing our first post.

• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Twitter

You can also check out our 211 Toolkit for an expansive list of downloadable materials, such as videos, flyers, presentations, images, and more.

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. This hands-on learning will connect your child with essential skills that will help them prepare for the transition to their new role as a student. Weekly videos will be available for your child to view at their own pace, in addition to supplemental materials that will help reinforce their learning.

Registration is still open for students in the Round Lake and Gurnee School Districts. KCC in Round Lake runs from July 12 – August 6. KCC in Gurnee runs from July 19 – August 13.

Interested? Fill out our registration form at the link below.

Photo: Dr. Wade Stevenson, President, and his wife Gloria Stevenson, Secretary, of West Side Community Center in Waukegan, IL.

Planting Seeds for Success

The West Side Community Center’s mission is to strengthen students and families to become strengthened community members. WSCC offers several programs for underserved families in Waukegan, Beach Park, North Chicago, Park City and Zion. Recently, WSCC launched a new summer program called Seeds 4 Success. Students learn how to cultivate, plant, grow, and harvest fruits and vegetables, as well as prepare healthy and nutritious meals using garden-fresh foods. Working together, they have transformed three vacant lots into a thriving community garden!
“The board members came together to talk about what the needs were during the pandemic,” said Dr. Wade A. Stevenson, President of West Side Community Center. “We knew a lot of families were going to be without food because schools were providing meals for children. So instead of offering a snack, we wanted to present healthy fruits and vegetables and give them some education about it and the importance of proper nutrition.”

A wide variety of fruits and vegetables are already growing, including asparagus, beans, beets, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, collards, corn, cucumber, eggplant, leeks, lettuce, melons, mustard greens, okra, onions, peanuts, peppers, potatoes, pumpkin, shallots, spinach, squash, strawberries, and tomatoes, as well as herbs such as bee balm, lemon balm, parsley, peppermint, rosemary, and thyme. Flowers have been planted nearby to attract pollinators.

The Seeds 4 Success program provides hands-on learning activities and practical experience that can help foster student interest in science, horticulture, or landscaping. Dr. Stevenson added, “It’s inspiring to see students very much engaged in learning about soil temperatures, proper pH, and moisture content.”
Through this program, WSCC is making real and lasting change in our community. Learn more about the program and ways to get involved by visiting WSCC’s website. Volunteers are needed over the summer and again in the fall for harvesting and food distribution.

United Way of Lake County is proud to support this incredible program! For more information about the Lake County COVID-19 Response & Recovery Fund and other grantees, click the link below.

Company Spotlight: Trustmark

Trustmark, a national benefits provider, is a long-time and loyal supporter of United Way of Lake County. Our mission to improve lives in Lake County and Trustmark’s mission of helping people increase wellbeing are in happy alignment. We are thrilled to have Trustmark as a partner all these years, and we are excited to participate in their “Break to Educate” series.

Trustmark created the Break to Educate series to encourage employees to get involved in and give back to their local communities. They invite organizations that Trustmark employees support to come and talk about their work. It is an opportunity for employees to take a break from their normal workday to learn about the organizations and causes they can support.

The Break to Educate series has invited organizations to talk about hunger/food insecurity, housing insecurity, the social determinants of health, and a planned poverty simulator. It has been a very successful series and has engaged employees across the country.

Interested in getting involved with United Way at your workplace?

Contact Dennis Burke at (847) 775-1014 or Dennis.Burke@uwlakeco.org

26 Mar

March 2021 e-Newsletter

by Lauren SchwabeCategories: News, Newsletter

Celebrating Read Across America Day

In early March, community and corporate volunteer readers gathered virtually to promote the joy of reading with students at East Elementary in Zion, North Elementary in Waukegan, and Pleviak Elementary in Lake Villa. Throughout the week, more than 725 students were introduced to these special guest readers.

Teachers love this interaction because it helps to reinforce reading goals such as increasing attention span, building vocabulary, and strengthening cognitive abilities. This wonderful interaction also allowed students to connect with other adults from the community.

Thank you to all our incredible volunteer readers for sharing their love of reading with these students! Pleviak School created a special thanks to all our wonderful volunteer readers. View that video below. You can also view photos here.

Senator Johnson Interviews Kristi Long

Senator Adriane Johnson interviewed our President & CEO, Kristi Long, about United Way of Lake County’s work in the community and how we’re making an impact through our education programs, 211 helpline, and pandemic relief efforts. We are honored to be featured on Senator Johnson’s first episode of In the District. You can watch the interview on YouTube below or you can listen on Spotify.

Opportunity to Host Early Learning Clubs

Early Learning Clubs (ELCs) are community-led early childhood education workshops designed to help 3 to 5 year old children and their parents be better prepared to start kindergarten. Children and parents receive a variety of free bilingual educational tools and instruction on how to continue using the tools at home.

If you are interested in hosting an ELC at your organization, school, library or club and serve families who reside in Beach Park, Zion, North Chicago, Round Lake or Waukegan, contact Shareny Mota, Success By 6 Initiative Coordinator, at Shareny.Mota@uwlakeco.org or 847-775-1040. For more information about Early Learning Clubs and parent resources, click below.

Wine & Learn About Women United, Virtually

You’re invited to join Women United virtually on Wednesday, April 28 from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. to learn how this amazing group of more than 100 women is strengthening the community through philanthropy, leadership and volunteerism. The group is flexible so women can choose their level of involvement and there is a ‘no guilt’ policy because those attracted to Women United are generally very busy people. As donors to United Way, they lead by example to ensure that Lake County’s most vulnerable children are prepared for kindergarten and ready to succeed.

Now is a great time to learn more about this fabulous group and the community-minded women who are involved. To receive the event details, please RSVP to Diana Nielander at Diana.Nielander@uwlakeco.org. Learn more about the event below.

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 are grateful to the many companies, philanthropies, and more than 650 individuals who have already contributed to our Response & Recovery Fund. Thanks to them, nonprofits on the front lines of the crisis have had more support to address Lake County’s greatest needs.

Since the fund was launched on March 20, 2020, more than one million dollars has been granted swiftly back into the community to 45 nonprofits so they can continue their critical work serving our most vulnerable neighbors.

Our work is not over and there is still a lot of need in the community. You can support the fund by clicking below.

Amanda Gorman, America’s youth poet laureate who captivated so many in the recent Super Bowl and Presidential Inauguration, wrote this poem for United Way last year. Inspired by the work she saw United Way tackling during the pandemic, she titled her poem Live United, to motivate people during dark times. Her words elevate the importance of taking care of each other. She captures the promise, possibility, and potential of galvanizing the caring power of communities.

211 Annual Report

Since its launch in 2019, United Way of Lake County’s 211 has made more than 70,000 connections to help. In case you missed our 211 Annual Report for year one, you can view it below. 211 also regularly releases data on top needs and the populations we serve in Lake County. View all 211 reports here.

9 Ways You Can Help Improve Gender Equity in Lake County

Challenges faced together are often easier to manage. That is true no matter your age or stage in life. Having someone who is by your side to help you face challenges is the power of mentorships! This Women’s History Month, we are celebrating the power of mentoring—in all its forms—to challenge current systems and eliminate inequity and gender bias. Click below for nine ways you can challenge gender bias through mentoring.

Company Spotlight: United Conveyor Corporation

United Conveyor Corporation (UCC) has been a committed and thoughtful partner for two decades. Over this time, UCC employees have donated funds and their time and talent to United Way of Lake County (UWLC) efforts, and this past year was no exception. For example, last fall UWLC was honored to help UCC celebrate their 100th anniversary by hosting a school supply drive. Even with Lake County schools fully remote, school supplies were still a great need of our students. UCC raised over $2,700 and was able to provide school supplies for children in Waukegan schools.

UCC’s support of Lake County families did not stop there. Women United secured a donation of 450 gallons of hand sanitizer to distribute to Waukegan Public Schools and several local nonprofits serving those struggling with basic needs during the pandemic. Women United needed a place to store the 55-gallon drums, a space to fill personal sized containers and prepare for distribution. UCC generously provided warehouse space, expertise and equipment to aid in the effort.

UCC has been a steadfast partner in supporting our work as we address the critical needs of Lake County neighbors and families. We thank them for their dedication to our mission and the families of Lake County. We look forward to partnering for decades to come.

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.

Follow Leaders United on LinkedIn

Leaders United—our group for young professionals that creates positive change in Lake County—now has a presence on LinkedIn. Follow their page for invitations to fun events and volunteer opportunities, updates on their work in the community, and much more. Click below to view their social media profiles.

Meet the Staff: Elaine Rezotko and April Ryan

Recently, we welcomed both Elaine Rezotko and April Ryan to our United Way family! We are thrilled to have Elaine as our Resource Development Specialist and April as Executive Assistant to our President & CEO and Women United. Learn more about their roles, what they like to do in their free time, and how they connect with our programs.

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

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 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

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.

04 Feb

January 2021 e-Newsletter

by Lauren SchwabeCategories: News, Newsletter

Year-End Campaign Raises $117,000!

At the end of 2020, we launched a campaign to raise funds for our education programs and 211. Thanks to the generosity of many individuals, we raised more than $117,000! That amount includes a $7,500 matching gift from our sponsor, Healthcare Foundation of Northern Lake County. We want to thank our supporters for making it possible for us to have an even bigger impact on our local community to help improve and save lives.

We Accept the Challenge. Will You?

We’re joining our neighbors across the state to learn how inequity and systemic racism impact our lives and communities. Join us by signing up for the free 21-week Equity Challenge today. The Challenge started this week but it’s not too late to join. You will receive one email per week between now and June 19, 2021. Each challenge activity will take approximately 15 minutes per week.

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

Bright by Text: A New Partnership

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

Wine & Learn About Women United, Virtually

You’re invited to join Women United virtually on Thursday, January 28 from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. to learn how this amazing group of more than 100 women is strengthening the community through philanthropy, leadership and volunteerism. The group is flexible so women can choose their level of involvement and there is a ‘no guilt’ policy because those attracted to Women United are generally very busy people. As donors to United Way, they lead by example to ensure that Lake County’s most vulnerable children are prepared for kindergarten and ready to succeed.

Now is a great time to learn more about this fabulous group and the community-minded women who are involved. To receive the event details, please RSVP to Diana Nielander at Diana.Nielander@uwlakeco.org. Learn more about the event below.

Register for Better Together’s Virtual Spring Sessions

Registration is now open for our free, virtual Better Together program. Better Together is designed for children ages 0-3 living in North Chicago or Great Lakes to develop the readiness, physical and cognitive skills crucial to their education, alongside their caregiver. The program encourages interactions, self-exploration, and guided learning through print materials and videos.

We are offering bi-weekly curbside pickup of materials. To see the schedule or to learn more, click here.

Company Spotlight: Incredible Technologies

Thank you to Incredible Technologies, a Vernon Hills-based company, for organizing a fundraiser with us in December. Due to their employees’ generosity, they were able to raise $10,000 in support of our local community. You all are INCREDIBLE!

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

Celebrating MLK Day with Virtual Storytelling

In celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Great Lakes Credit Union (GLCU) hosted their first virtual storytelling. In collaboration with West Elementary School and Zion School District, GLCU volunteers were virtually invited into classrooms to read a story about Dr. King. It was an exciting morning filled with great energy, thoughtful discussion and learning more about a man who strived to make the world a better place for all. GLCU will collect the books and donate them to the school so that teachers can add them to their classroom libraries.

We would like to thank GLCU for this incredible Day of Service and West Elementary for sharing their students with us for a little while. Every volunteer walked away with a greater depth of appreciation for teachers as they navigate new learning strategies to keep students engaged and striving towards success.

Learn more about hosting a Day of Service like this with your workplace by contacting Bobbi Selvik at Bobbi.Selvik@uwlakeco.org or (847) 775-1022.

Celebrating Black History Month with February Book Drive

To celebrate Black History Month, we will be hosting a virtual book drive during the month of February. The books will be donated to local elementary schools, increasing young readers’ access to books promoting a positive equity message.
Follow us on social media to be alerted when the book drive launches and to learn how you can contribute.

Lake County’s COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund

We are grateful to the many companies, philanthropies, and more than 650 individuals who have already contributed to our Lake County COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund. Thanks to them, nonprofits on the front lines of the crisis have had more support to address Lake County’s greatest needs.

Since the fund was launched in March 2020, more than one million dollars has been granted back into the community to 46 nonprofits so they can continue their critical work serving our most vulnerable neighbors.

Our work is not over and there is still a lot of need in the community. You can support the fund by clicking below.

211 Partners with EverThrive Illinois

We have partnered with EverThrive Illinois to ensure that Lake County families are tapped into a network of resources to support them before, during and after pregnancy.

Find assistance with health care, housing, nutrition, postpartum support, and more when you connect with our 211 helpline. Reach immediate, comprehensive and confidential assistance. Call 211 or text your zip code to 898211 now!

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Year-End Campaign Raises $117,000!

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