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 are thrilled to share that we exceeded our goal for this year’s Stuff the Bus school supply drive! We prepared 2,200 backpacks full of supplies and 900 grade-specific supplementary string bags, which were distributed to students at Waukegan Public Schools’ Back to School Resource Fair. Since then, we’ve continued to receive many more donations and we will continue to work with local communities to get these supplies in the hands of the children who need them.
Thank you to the dozens of companies and donors who supported this drive, the 80+ volunteers who donated their time to pack, sort, and stuff each backpack, and our incredible partner, Waukegan Public School’s F.A.C.E Department.
We are so proud that together we have ensured so many more children will have the supplies they need to succeed during this new school year!
Women United Brings Back-to-School Fun to Waukegan
Women United‘s Corporate Future Leaders of Color cohort, volunteers, sororities and the Waukegan Public Library all came together to organize a free “Back to School Fun Fest” at Whispering Oaks Apartments in Waukegan. Around 225 children and families joined for food, dancing, games, activities, hair cuts, face painting, and more.
Thank you to our Women United members and partners for making this fun family event such a success!
Now Available: Kindergarten Readiness Calendars
Our new bilingual Kindergarten Readiness Calendars are now available! They are free, a great resource for families, designed for preschool-age children and filled with activities to help families get ready for the first day of kindergarten.
You can place an order to pick up calendars at our office using our online order form. Indicate what time you would like to pick up your calendars in the “additional comments” section of the form. Pick-ups are available by appointment only, Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., at 330 S. Greenleaf St, Gurnee, IL.
Trustmark is a longtime supporter of United Way of Lake County for decades and continues to be one of our most generous corporate partners. We are thrilled to spotlight their incredible commitment to giving back and the impact they are making right here in Lake County.
Every year, Trustmark associates rally together for the Trustmark Cares® United Way Campaign to support essential needs in our community. They are helping us ensure all children have critical educational opportunities and can follow the path to success, and struggling neighbors and families can connect with lifechanging support through 211. When the pandemic hit, Trustmark was among the first to step in and offer support to help nonprofits serving our most vulnerable neighbors with emergency assistance.
Associates also give freely of their time through community service. Trustmark associates have joined together with us to inspire young students for the annual Read Across America celebration of reading, create a reading nook and multiple Early Learning Trails at elementary schools, pack bags for veterans at a local food pantry, and more! Their culture is one of going beyond and it’s no wonder Trustmark has been recognized as a Chicago Tribune Top Workplace!
“Each year, Trustmark’s caring culture comes shining through during our United Way Campaign,” said Kevin Slawin, Trustmark’s President and CEO. “Enhancing the lives of families and people in the places our associates live and work is an important priority at Trustmark, and United Way’s ability to unite resources and create lasting change is second to none.”
Thank you, Trustmark, for partnering with us to address critical community needs and build a stronger, more equitable Lake County!
If you’re interested in joining Trustmark and other companies to create a successful workplace campaign or volunteer opportunity, contact us today.
Launch a Workplace Giving Campaign
Change doesn’t happen alone. Your organization, large or small, can help us create a stronger Lake County through a United Way workplace campaign. Whether your campaign is virtual or in-person, we’ll provide you with the tools you need to plan, coordinate and implement a successful fundraising campaign.
Is your organization ready to LIVE UNITED? We’ll help you get started.
Because Kids Don’t Come With Instructions
United Way of Lake County has partnered with Bright by Text to provide local 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. So far, more than 600 Lake County families are already signed up and benefiting from Bright by Text.
When you sign up, you will receive text messages in English or Spanish that are specific to the age of your child. 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 click below.
This week is National Volunteer Week and we’d like to take this time to recognize all of the selfless individuals who lend their time, talent, and support to serve our community. As an organization that relies heavily on volunteers to carry out its mission, this annual week of celebration is near and dear to our hearts. Day in and day out, our volunteers help enrich the lives of those in need and build a stronger, more equitable community. Without volunteers, our work is simply not possible.
211 to Expand Beyond Lake County
We are excited to share that the Illinois 2023 Legislative Budget has included a grant to begin expanding 211 services to all counties in Illinois! Our Lake County 211 team is ecstatic to be a part of this incredible journey to better support our neighbors all across Illinois. To view the full story, as published in the Daily Herald, click below.
If you’d like to receive monthly email updates about Lake County’s 211 helpline, click here.
Introducing Gale Graves!
We are pleased to introduce our new Vice President of Community Impact, Gale Graves! In her role, Gale will develop community solutions through collaboration and strong diverse partnerships to deliver measurable, purposeful programs and initiatives. Learn more about Gale, including what made her want to join our team, by clicking below.
UWLC Donates 800 Diverse Books for Local Students
We were proud to present more than 800 books in English and Spanish for grades K-5 at North Elementary School in Waukegan. A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to our Read Across America Book Drive and to our partners—the 19th Judicial Circuit Court of Illinois, the Lake County Bar Association, and the Association of Women Attorneys of Lake County! Now more children will have access to culturally diverse books.
“I am constantly impressed with United Way of Lake County’s community efforts and contributions. My students have benefited greatly over the years due to the Reading Success Program. Not only are they getting quality reading support but they also get the opportunity to interact with a community member in an engaging way. This recent book donation with an emphasis on equity is just another example of United Way’s commitment to education for all.” – Jenny Chang-West, M.Ed., First Grade Teacher, North Elementary School
Company Spotlight: CF Industries
This month we’re shining a spotlight on CF Industries, a leading global manufacturer of hydrogen and nitrogen products. The company, headquartered in Deerfield, has as its mission to provide clean energy to feed and fuel the world sustainably.
CF Industries has a long history of corporate philanthropy and a culture that prides itself on giving back. For more than 25 years, CF Industries has partnered with United Way of Lake County through its workplace giving campaign to unite employees in support of our local community. Since 1996, employees have invested more than $400K to help us create positive change and build a stronger Lake County. Additionally, the company has matched these funds by investing more than $165K!
“The work that the United Way of Lake County does is one of the reasons we are proud to call Lake County the home of CF Industries. We are pleased to continue to support United Way’s efforts, and look forward to celebrating the lasting change achieved in the years ahead.” – Sue Menzel, Senior Vice President, Human Resources at CF Industries
Thank you, CF Industries, for your loyal support and for fueling the important work we do to transform lives right here in Lake County.
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 still open for students in the North Chicago, Round Lake and Waukegan school districts. KCC in 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.
Lunch and Learn About Women United
If you are looking for new ways to connect to amazing women in our community, new opportunities to volunteer and socialize, or new ways to make a measurable difference for those underserved in Lake County, please join Women United on May 5 from Noon to 1 p.m. on Zoom for a prospective member Lunch and Learn.
Women United mobilizes more than 120 amazing women to ensure children living in Lake County’s challenged communities are prepared for kindergarten and ready to succeed. In addition to caring deeply about this collective effort, we have a vibrant calendar of social, volunteer and philanthropic events to make it fun and doable regardless of your busy schedule.
We’re Hiring!
We’re searching for the right person to join our team as Success By 6’s Initiative Coordinator. This position is responsible for coordinating and implementing several of our Success By 6 initiatives and projects.
We are also looking to hire a Kindergarten Readiness Coordinator to assist with this summer’s Kindergarten Countdown Camps. This is a full-time, temporary position from May to August, 2022.
Women United’s Corporate Future Leaders of Color
Corporate Future Leaders of Color (CFLoC), a project of Women United’s Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Initiative, is a year-long cohort-based program that provides networking, community service, leadership, social and mentorship opportunities by engaging and developing Lake County’s women leaders of color who demonstrate leadership potential.
Our inaugural CFLoC cohort will begin this month and is made up of 11 women who are passionate about making a difference in Lake County. These women have been hand-picked from Sysmex, AbbVie, Great Lakes Credit Union, Libertyville School District 128, AON, Waukegan Public Schools, and Alight Solutions.
“We can’t wait to welcome these leaders into the group, and we especially look forward to learning from and with them as we keep working toward our mission of a Lake County where all children start out with what they need to succeed in school.” – Lori Miller, Chair of Women United
