December 2022 e-Newsletter
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Tag: Holiday Giving
Holiday Opportunities Guide is Here!
Each holiday season, we publish a guide that includes giving and volunteer opportunities throughout Lake County. This easy-to-use guide includes winter volunteering opportunities, agency wishlists and contact information for food pantries to help our neighbors in need.
Donate as an individual or unite your friends, family, neighbors and co-workers to spread the holiday cheer with children and families in need and deserving of our help. When we work together and LIVE UNITED, we make a tremendous impact on our community. To view our 2022 Holiday Opportunities Guide, click here.
November 2022 e-Newsletter
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November 2021 e-Newsletter
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December 2020 e-Newsletter
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Brighten Countless Lives in Lake CountyThrough December 24, you can DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT for our neighbors and children who need help now more than ever. Your gift will make it possible for us to have an even bigger impact on our local community to improve and save lives. Healthcare Foundation of Northern Lake County is matching all new or increased gifts up to $7,500. The tough work that is needed to help Lake County recover, rebuild and thrive is the work United Way of Lake County does every day. We create lasting change to break the cycle of poverty through education, by empowering families to become and remain self-sufficient, and connecting people to life-changing support. Together, we can achieve long-lasting results for our community, neighbors and children.
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Wishing You a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season!
Despite the many challenges and changes this year, you helped us accomplish so much! Thank you for supporting our mission to create lasting change in the Lake County community. We are grateful for your kindness and generosity. Wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season.
– Your friends at United Way of Lake County
P.S. View our holiday card video below.
211 is Here for You
The end-of-year holiday season is a stressful time for many people, especially this year. Please know that our 211 helpline is here for you and accessible 24/7. Whether you are seeking help with mental health services, food, shelter, transportation, or other health and human services—call 211 or text your zip code to 898211 to get connected.
Winter Break Boxes for Local Students
Women United funded, decorated, and assembled Winter Break Boxes for students in our Reading Success program and their families. Each box contains a grade-appropriate book and a winter break packet containing winter-themed activities in reading, writing, and math that will keep kids on track during the break. It also includes healthy snacks, a Walmart gift card for parents, a pack of 5 reusable face masks, a 211 card, and a handwritten note of encouragement and good wishes.
All boxes will be delivered in time for winter break and are guaranteed to make the season a little brighter!
Register for Your COVID-19 Vaccine
A COVID-19 vaccine is coming soon and the Lake County Health Department’s AllVax Portal is now open. Register to be notified when it is time to make your appointment for the vaccine. It is free, easy and secure.
An Interview with Leaders United
Leaders United is a group of young professionals within United Way of Lake County who strive to make a difference in our community through philanthropy and volunteerism. Learn more about Leaders United and what makes the group special by watching this new interview with co-chairs, Alecia Hollen and Anton Mathews.
Follow Leaders United on Facebook for invitations to future events and updates on the meaningful work they’re doing in the community. Interested in joining? Contact Bobbi Selvik via email at Bobbi.Selvik@uwlakeco.org.
Check Out Our Holiday Guide
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.
November 2020 e-Newsletter
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Double Your Impact to Improve and Save Lives in Lake CountyNow through December 24, you can DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT for our neighbors and children who need help now more than ever. Your gift will make it possible for us to have an even bigger impact on our local community to improve and save lives. Healthcare Foundation of Northern Lake County is matching all new or increased gifts up to $7,500. The tough work that is needed to help Lake County recover, rebuild and thrive is the work United Way of Lake County does every day. We create lasting change to break the cycle of poverty through education, by empowering families to become and remain self-sufficient, and connecting people to life-changing support. Together, we can achieve long-lasting results for our community, neighbors and children.
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Lake County Celebrates Measurable Results of 211 Helpline
United Way of Lake County marked the first anniversary of 211 services for Lake County on Oct. 27 with a 90-minute virtual event targeted to key stakeholders, partners and community leaders.
The event highlighted 211’s measurable year-one results and impact, including how the system has transformed the way individuals and families in Lake County are connecting to essential health and human services. A panel of Lake County human services experts discussed how 211 more efficiently connects people in need to a wide range of available resources to improve and save lives.
The free, confidential, multi-lingual, 24-hour information and referral helpline was launched Sept. 24, 2019, by United Way of Lake County in collaboration with the county and many community partners. Through 2019, more than 95% of the U.S., but less than 30% of Illinois, had access to 211. Lake County is the largest county in Illinois to have implemented 211.
In its first year of service, 211 has made a combined total of 56,423 connections, including 6,760 calls and texts to the 211 contact center and 49,663 visits to the 211LakeCounty.org website.
Power of the Purse Raises $62k for Early Literacy Programs
On November 8, Women United held their signature fundraising event, Power of the Purse. Instead of their traditional in-person event, they hosted their first-ever virtual fundraiser in the form of an online buying and bidding shopping experience. More than 165 generous women joined forces virtually to raise $62k!
Power of the Purse raises funds for Women United’s Little Kids, Big Futures philanthropy fund to support critical early literacy programs that will ensure the foundation for strong and successful academic futures for Lake County children. Since 2014, Women United has granted nearly $700k to worthy early literacy programs. Power of the Purse ensures that more children receive the support they need to be prepared for kindergarten and are ready to succeed.
“We are thrilled about the success of this year’s Power of the Purse event which surpassed our fundraising goals,” said event chair, Judy Kotsiopoulos. “While we were not able to be together in person due to the pandemic, we worked hard to transform this year’s event into a fun online experience knowing that our local children have never needed us more. We are extremely grateful for the generous support of Women United members and their friends who make this event possible every year.”
Check Out Our Holiday Guide
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.
Reading Success: The Pivot to Virtual Tutoring
Due to the pandemic, United Way of Lake County’s Reading Success program has transitioned to a virtual format in order to ensure that students who need reading tutoring can continue to connect to our volunteer tutors.
Reading Success volunteers meet weekly with their students using the Google Classroom platform. Each volunteer and student pairing reads stories and answers story-related questions together. The readings largely come from Learning A-Z and Raz-Kids, which provide leveled reading resources and deliver interactive computer-based books and quizzes at 29 reading levels. In addition, volunteers have opportunities to share their own favorite stories with their students.
The goal of Reading Success remains the same: to help ensure the students chosen for the program achieve at or near grade level reading by the end of 3rd grade.
Thank you to our dedicated volunteers, the teachers who have welcomed the volunteers, and the Waukegan Public School District staff who have assisted us in launching virtual Reading Success. It truly takes a community!
For more information on Reading Success, please contact Sue Baehr at sue.baehr@uwlakeco.org.
High School Student Supports Pandemic Relief Efforts
We are excited to introduce our bilingual 2020-2021 Kindergarten Readiness school year calendars! These calendars are free to you and a great resource for families. The Kindergarten Readiness Calendar (KRC) is designed for preschool-age children and is filled with activities to help families get ready for the first day of kindergarten.
KRCs are available to anyone in Lake County and come in a box of 50. If you would like to request calendars, please fill out our form by clicking the button below.
Please indicate at what time you would like to pick up your calendars in the “additional comments” section of the online order form.
Pick-ups will only be available on Mondays from 8:30-10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m. at United Way of Lake County’s office: 330 South Greenleaf Street, Gurnee, Illinois 60031.
Live Well Lake County
Everyone has times when they need emotional support. Even if you can handle what you are going through alone, you don’t have to.
United Way of Lake County has partnered with the Health Department’s new Live Well Lake County initiative to offer easy ways to get help, such as grief support, options for safe telehealth visits and harm reduction training. To learn more, please visit LiveWellLC.org/TakeCare.
To connect with local resources, please call 211 or text your zip code to 898211.
Now Available: Kindergarten Readiness Calendars
Our bilingual 2020-2021 Kindergarten Readiness school year calendar is free and a great resource for Lake County families. The calendar is designed for preschool-age children and is filled with activities to help families get ready for the first day of kindergarten.
If you would like to request calendars, please fill out an order form below and indicate at what time you would like to pick up your calendars in the “additional comments” section. Pick-ups are only available on Mondays from 8:30 – 10:30 a.m., and 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at United Way of Lake County’s office (330 South Greenleaf Street, Gurnee, IL 60031).
United Way of Lake County is Hiring
Want to join our team? We have two open positions:
December 2019 e-Newsletter
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November 2019 e-Newsletter
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October 2019 e-Newsletter
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211 Helpline Now Live in Lake County211 has officially launched in Lake County! Anyone in Lake County can now call 211 or text their zip code to 898211 for free, confidential, 24/7 information and referrals to essential services. 211 is Lake County’s one-stop shop for help! Thank you to everyone who attended the 211 launch event. Nearly 250 community members came out to support and learn more about this critical service, including people from across the county representing business, government and nonprofit sectors. We are grateful to our panelists and speakers who shared from their perspective how 211 will benefit our community including real-life stories and the impact 211 is already making. View photos from the event by clicking here. Visit the official 211 Lake County website: 211LakeCounty.org. View our 211 funding partners here and task force members here whose support made 211 possible. Watch our 211 video (available in English and Spanish) by clicking below.
Women United’s Successful No Small Matter ScreeningWomen United of Lake County‘s screening of the documentary film No Small Matter was a huge success! More than 200 community leaders, educators and volunteers gathered at the Gorton Community Center in Lake Forest to rally around the importance of early childhood development. No Small Matter is the first feature documentary to explore the most overlooked, underestimated, and powerful force for good in America today: early childhood education. Through poignant stories, the film lays out the overwhelming evidence for the importance of education in the first five years, and reveals how our failure to act on that evidence has resulted in an everyday crisis for American families, and a slow-motion catastrophe for the country. Thank you to everyone who came out to see the film, to the amazing panel of experts who spoke about the importance of quality early care and education, and to the wonderful team of Women United members who were instrumental in bringing this film to Lake County!
Check Out Our Holiday OpportunitiesLooking for giving and volunteer opportunities this holiday season? View our Holiday Opportunities Guide! It’s an easy-to-use guide filled with holiday volunteering and giving opportunities throughout the Lake County community. Donate as an individual or unite your friends, family, neighbors and co-workers to spread the holiday cheer with children and families in need and deserving of our help. Click the button below to view this year’s guide.
Save the Date: Giving Tuesday.
Leaders United Join Facebook |
November 2018 e-Newsletter
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Sold-Out Power of the Purse Raises $59.8k for Early Literacy ProgramsOn November 4, Women United held their 13th annual Power of the Purse fundraising event at the Royal Melbourne Country Club in Long Grove. Over 200 women joined together for an afternoon filled with a champagne brunch, an assortment of games to win purses, jewelry and much more. This year’s event raised $59,800, which is a 20% increase over last year. Power of the Purse raises funds for Women United’s Little Kids, Big Futures Philanthropy Fund, to support six critical early literacy programs that will ensure the foundation for strong and successful academic futures for children in Lake County. Since 2014, Women United has granted $370,000 to worthy early literacy programs. Power of the Purse ensures that more children receive the support they need to be prepared for kindergarten and are ready to succeed.
To view photos from this year’s Power of the Purse event, click the button below.
Help Brighten Children’s Futures this Giving TuesdayAll of the funds raised on Giving Tuesday, November 27, 2018, will go towards expanding our Home Visiting Program to reach more families throughout Lake County. Home Visiting delivers free early intervention services to the home of families with infants and preschool-age children who are struggling with poverty and who have limited access to health and community services. Funding will support more high-risk families in North Chicago, Waukegan and Zion with their most critical needs. The Healthcare Foundation of Northern Lake County will be matching 100% of Giving Tuesday donations up to $5,000. A matching gift means that your impact will double for children and families that need and deserve our help. Save the date for #GivingTuesday on Tuesday, November 27,
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