Each year, kids across Lake County go back to school lacking the supplies needed to succeed in school. The price for essential supplies is increasing and many families struggle to afford everything on their child’s school supply list.
But together, we can make a difference!
Join our Stuff the Bus school supply drive! By providing students with new school supplies, you’ll be helping prepare them for their academic studies, build their self-esteem and set them up for success.
Now through August 15, you can contribute as an individual or your company can team up to make a difference! You can donate school supplies, make an online donation, or help us spread the word.
Women United Grants $181K to Local Early Education
Women United announced that they will distribute $181K this year through their Little Kids, Big Futures philanthropy fund to support eight critical early education programs. Since 2014, Women United has raised and granted more than 1.4 million in grants to early education in Lake County!
We are so proud of the work Women United does to help ensure the foundation for strong and successful academic futures of Lake County’s young learners.
Learn more about the grantees below.
LAST CHANCE: 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 open for students in the Antioch, Beach Park, Round Lake, Waukegan and Zion school districts.
Antioch: June 5 – 27
Beach Park: July 29 – August 14
Round Lake: June 3 – 27
Waukegan: June 3 – July 1
Zion: June 3 – July 11
Interested? Fill out the form for your school district at the link below.
A Mentee Becomes a Mentor
When Brent was in 8th grade, he saw a sign reading “Join Breakfast Club” hanging in the hallway of his middle school. Brent decided to take a chance and he signed up.
Brent was matched with his mentor, Jim, a member of Leaders United. Each session, Jim took time to connect with Brent about school and his interests. They talked about hobbies, homework, friends and classes. For Brent, each meeting was a time to reset and get centered for the school day ahead. “When I met with Jim, it felt like I was in a cocoon. It was protected time. If I was feeling off that day, the meeting helped me prepare for my day ahead.” Jim watched as Brent’s involvement in Breakfast Club sparked an interest in helping others. “Throughout the school year, Brent talked more and more about wanting to help others. Seeing how Brent has grown and now wants to continue volunteering while in high school makes me proud.”
Click below to read more about how Breakfast Club has changed Brent’s life for the better and all the great things he’s working towards.
Students Love Breakfast Club!
Leaders United, our affinity group of young professionals, recently wrapped up another successful year of their mentoring program, Breakfast Club, with the 8th graders at Robert Abbott Middle School in Waukegan.
We surveyed the Breakfast Club students and were very pleased by the results:
96% of students would recommend Breakfast Club to their peers.
92% of students feel better prepared for high school thanks to Breakfast Club.
3 main reasons the students enjoyed Breakfast Club: Mentors, learning something new, and the special topics. Topics include mindfulness and self-care, difficult conversations, the importance of empathy, how to be your own advocate, developing a growth mindset, and preparing for high school.
The students were eager to participate in each session and the conversations were meaningful. 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.
Research Highlights Struggles of Working Families
United Way’s innovative research project called ALICE provides financial insights into the struggles many working families and individuals face across the nation, in Illinois and right here in Lake County.
ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, and makes up many members of our essential workforce. ALICE earns just above the Federal Poverty Level but not enough to afford the basics where they live. These struggling households are forced to make impossible choices every day.
In Lake County, 86,084 households (33%) are struggling, with 20,869 households (8%) living below the Federal Poverty Level and 65,215 (25%) falling into the ALICE population. In the Benton, Waukegan and Zion Townships, more than 50% of households fall below the ALICE threshold.
Based on the household survival budget, it takes 78,564 dollars for a family of two adults and two children to afford the basics in Lake County, which is more than double the Federal Poverty Level.
United Way of Lake County supports ALICE households by making thousands of referrals to essential health and human services every month through 211. Learn more about ALICE and join us to build a community where everyone can rise.
Prenatal and Parenting Resources by Text Message
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, available in English and Spanish, include topics like brain development, health and wellness, STEM, safety and more.
It’s easy to sign up. Simply text “UWLC” to 274-448. 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.
Introducing New Team Members
We recently welcomed three new people to our United Way family; Maria Nava joined as our 211 Manager, Yajaira Balderas joined as our 211 Engagement Coordinator, and Pam Diedrich joined as our Donor Relations Coordinator.
Learn more about their roles, what they like to do in their free time, and how they connect with our programs by clicking their names below.
Women United Celebrates $1 Million Raised for Early Education
Women United announced that they will distribute $186,000 this year through their Little Kids, Big Futures philanthropy fund to support nine critical early education programs. That means that Women United has also surpassed the $1 million milestone of money raised for early education in Lake County!
We are so proud of the work Women United does to help ensure the foundation for strong and successful academic futures of our community’s most vulnerable children.
Learn more about the 2022 Little Kids, Big Futures fund grantees:
Help Us Stuff the Bus!
Each year, kids across Lake County go back to school lacking the necessary supplies needed to thrive in school. The price for essential supplies is increasing and many low-income families struggle to afford everything on their child’s school supply list.
But together, we can make a difference!
Join our Stuff the Bus donation drive! By providing students with new school supplies, you’ll be helping prepare them for their academic studies, build their self-esteem and set them up for success. This is a cause worth getting involved in and we hope you’ll take part!
Now through July 7, you can contribute as an individual or your company can team up to make a difference! You can donate school supplies, make an online donation, or help us spread the word.
Play A-Round for Lake County Kids
Join Women United for their co-ed golf fundraiser “Play A-Round for Lake County Kids” on Monday, July 11 at White Deer Run Golf Club in Vernon Hills. This shotgun scramble golf fundraiser will support early childhood education in Lake County through Women United’s Little Kids, Big Futures Fund.
Last year’s golf outing was such a success, we can’t wait to welcome back our steadfast supporters and meet new friends for another fun day of great golf, food, competition and prizes at one of Lake County’s favorite courses.
Golf event tickets are $175 per person and include an on-course lunch and a buffet dinner. Golfers will register in twosomes or foursomes. Additional event details can be found on the registration page. Don’t golf? Join us for dinner! Tickets are $50.
Thank you, Monica!
UWLC Board Member, Monica Burmeister, has served as Chair of the Finance & Administration Committee since 2010. As chair, she worked with the committee to develop a Finance Committee Charter and recruited high-level volunteers with expertise in finance, accounting, and overall business management. Under her leadership, United Way has strengthened its financial position and has been in exceptional financial health earning a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator.
Thank you for your extraordinary work and leadership, Monica!
Flip Through Our 2021 Annual Report
United Way of Lake County is excited to share our 2021 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!
Partner Spotlight: College of Lake County
This month we’re shining a spotlight on College of Lake County (CLC). CLC is a public community college whose primary campus is located in Grayslake and other two campuses are in Vernon Hills and Waukegan.
UWLC has been partnering with CLC since 1994. We currently have two CLC leaders on our Board, Dr. Lori Suddick, CLC President, and Jesus Ruiz, Dean of the Lakeshore Campus. CLC staff have supported UWLC through giving campaigns, participated in volunteer events, such as creating hygiene kits for students experiencing home displacement, and they’ve also been a great partner in spreading the word about 211 through staff training and ongoing promotion to students.
We asked longtime supporter, Sue Fay, Executive Director of Human Resources at CLC, why she has chosen to support UWLC. “I am pleased to support United Way of Lake County through its partnership with College of Lake County. We share a focus on providing holistic support to the communities that we serve. Through United Way’s 211 helpline, the 24/7 access to information and referral services has and will continue to have a transformative impact on our students, employees and their families.”
Thank you, CLC, for your loyal support and for being an important part of the work we do to transform lives right here in Lake County.
Lake County’s COVID-19 Community Response Fund
We recently announced that $84,345 has been awarded in the ninth and final round of Lake County COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund grants to eight local nonprofits. This grant cycle focused on summer programs for children up to age thirteen that address learning loss through academics or enrichment programming and include activities or services that address children’s social-emotional needs due to the impact of the pandemic.
Since the fund was launched on March 20, 2020, a total of $1,201,662 has been raised and granted back into the community to 51 nonprofits so they could continue their work serving individuals and families most impacted by the pandemic. This ninth and final distribution leaves the fund at a zero balance,
ending the funding process.
Thank you to the hundreds of individuals and organizations who donated to the fund! United Way of Lake County remains committed to uniting leadership and resources to build a stronger, equitable community where everyone can thrive.
Celebrating Pride in Lake County
On June 4, we had the pleasure of sponsoring and participating in the LGBTQ+ Center’s PrideFest in Waukegan, alongside many of our community partners. That same day, we also had the opportunity to join in Waukegan’s Pride Drive, hosted by Waukegan Friends.
While celebrating progress, we understand how far we still have to go. Across the country, the LGBTQ+ community continues to face challenges, inequities and discrimination. If you are someone whom an LGBTQ+ person trusts with their whole selves, your encouragement matters and your love makes a difference.
UWLC Commemorates Juneteenth
United Way of Lake County gathered with the community on Saturday at the Juneteenth Festival of Lake County. Our staff and Board members participated in the Black Expo to share education opportunities and a wide range of health resources, financial assistance, employment services and more available through 211.
In celebration of Juneteenth, we honor the present and reflect on our shared history and tradition. Together, we are building a brighter, equitable future for all our children and families to thrive.
Introducing New Team Members
We recently welcomed two new people to our United Way family; Katie Martinez joined as our Donor Relations Specialist and Taylor Bellson joined as an Account Manager.
Learn more about Katie and Taylor’s roles, what they like to do in their free time, and how they connect with our programs by clicking their names below.
