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