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 summer, we had the goal of collecting and distributing 1,000 backpacks full of school supplies to Waukegan Public School students. It took 90 volunteers more than 180 hours to organize the supplies and pack the backpacks, resulting in nearly 1,500 backpacks distributed!
We are thrilled to have such dedicated supporters who helped us every step of the way—by providing supply and monetary donations as well as volunteering to pack, sort and distribute supplies. The School Supply Drive was a huge community effort, and we couldn’t have done it without their support.
Thank you to everyone who made this very special day a great success! Now more Waukegan Public School students are prepared to start in-person learning this Fall with all the supplies they need.
We are raising funds through August 31 to continue our outreach to assist students in neighboring communities. Learn more here.
211 Lake County has reached 100,000 contacts milestone!
United Way of Lake County’s 211 has reached the 100,000 contacts milestone, demonstrating its vital role in connecting people seeking help and support in Lake County to available resources. In less than two years following its launch, the community has embraced this new service as Lake County’s one-stop shop for help, and awareness continues to grow.
211 is an easy-to-remember, three-digit number that connects people to expert, caring help, including the best local resources. The information and referral service accesses a database of more than 1,500 health and human service organizations serving our community, as well as federal, state and local aid.
211 is multilingual with English and Spanish speaking staff, as well as an interpretation service for over 150 languages. Two-way texting is available in English and Spanish. It’s always open, always confidential, and always free.
Anyone needing help in Lake County can connect to 211 by dialing 2-1-1, texting their zip code to 898211, or visiting the website at 211LakeCounty.org.
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.
Celebrate the Second Anniversary of 211 in Lake County
United Way of Lake County is proud to celebrate the second anniversary of 211 services for Lake County. Join with community leaders and stakeholders to learn how 211 has grown to become a lifeline for people across the county seeking help meeting basic needs.
You’ll hear about 211’s measurable impact, data on community-specific needs, and the results we have seen in year two during this critical time of the pandemic. You’ll also hear stories of how 211 has made a real difference for community members, employers, agencies and local government. Marc Jones, Waukegan Township Supervisor, will moderate a panel of local leaders discussing how 211 more efficiently guides people to resources to help improve lives, including a more in-depth discussion on the top needs and solutions to address them.
Help us recognize the incredible support and collaboration of so many individuals, employers, community leaders and partners who have joined with us to bring this vital service to Lake County, and celebrate the results we’ve achieved together.
Now Available: Kindergarten Readiness Calendars
Our 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. Many local libraries have these calendars available, so contact your library to see if you can pick one up.
You can also place an order to pick up calendars at our office using our online order form. They come in a box of 50. Indicate what time you would like to pick up your calendars in the “additional comments” section of the form. Pick-ups are available Mondays from 8:30-10:30am & 11:30am-1:30pm or Tuesday-Thursday by appointment only. Pick up at UWLC’s office: 330 S. Greenleaf St, Gurnee, IL.
We know that bringing new, vibrant members into the fold is the lifeblood of Women United. We want to connect with women who are starting or ramping up their careers or staying home with children, so we launched the Step Up Program.
Women 36 years old and under are eligible to participate in the Step Up Program by incrementally increasing their gift over a three-year period while enjoying membership benefits right away.
KCC Coordinator Spotlight: Stephanie Guadarrama
Here at United Way, we are fortunate to work with some of the most service-oriented and compassionate people. Today, we’d like to spotlight Stephanie Guadarrama, who has helped coordinate Kindergarten Countdown Camp (KCC), our free summer learning program for incoming kindergarten students with little to no preschool experience. KCC prepares students for a successful start in kindergarten. Students adjust to the classroom setting, practice following directions and rules, and practice key kindergarten skills such as recognizing shapes, letters, counting, and writing their names.
Read on to learn more about KCC and why the program is so important to the children and families involved, all from Stephanie’s perspective.
Company Spotlight: Baxter
Baxter’s Northern Illinois Finance Community recently partnered with us again for a week of volunteer projects, which provided 100 hours of service back into the Lake County community!
United Way coordinated projects with several community partners and Baxter volunteers stepped up to make an incredible impact. Volunteers provided support to COOL Ministries’ Food Pantry and Northern Illinois Food Bank by helping sort and organize food for distribution, they helped beautify the grounds at Lambs Farm, and they assisted GiveNKind with a digital project where they cataloged goods that have been distributed to other area nonprofits.
A huge thank you to all the Baxter volunteers—your impact on Lake County is outstanding!
If you would like to learn more about volunteering with your organization through United Way of Lake County, please contact Bobbi.Selvik@uwlakeco.org.
Intern Spotlight: Eric Jones
We are excited to welcome Eric Jones, our newest intern! We love getting to introduce new people to the work we do at United Way of Lake County. As part of our 211 team, Eric is helping set up a new site on Power BI so that more people can easily access data collected from 211. Learn more about Eric below.
Because Kids Don’t Come With Instructions
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 your child’s age 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 completing this simple form.
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.
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?
Women United Allocates $850k in Seven Years to Early Education Programs
Women United is proud to announce that they will distribute $166k in grants this year through their Little Kids, Big Futures philanthropy fund to support eight critical early education programs. Since 2014, Women United has distributed $850k to worthy nonprofits that ensure children living in Lake County’s most vulnerable communities are prepared for kindergarten and ready to succeed.
Read more about this year’s grantees and what the funds will support.
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; preparing them for their academic studies, building their self-esteem, and setting them up for success.
Now through June 28, we will be collecting online donations. You can sponsor a student for just $20. You also have the opportunity to purchase supplies from our wish list and drop them off curbside in Waukegan. 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 spread the word.
United Way of Lake County Recognized for Its Work Supporting Early School Success
The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading (CLGR) announced that it has named Waukegan, Illinois as a 2021 Bright Spot Community for United Way of Lake County’s work supporting early school success during the pandemic. Waukegan is the only community in Illinois to be recognized. CLGR is specifically highlighting communities that developed exemplary or innovative responses to the pandemic.
When the pandemic hit, United Way of Lake County recognized the critical need to address learning loss and social isolation, especially for students of color, and responded by adapting our Success By 6 early education programs and Reading Success literacy program to deliver virtually. Reading Success also expanded to include kindergarten students, exposing them to the basics of reading in preparation for early school success. Additionally, a new Bright by Text offering was launched to provide expert coaching and more support for parents at their fingertips. To ensure access to remote learning, United Way distributed 450 Chromebooks to Waukegan families in need.
Register for Kindergarten Countdown Camp
Kindergarten Countdown Camp is a free summer program for children entering kindergarten this fall who have little to no preschool experience. Students in the Round Lake and Gurnee school districts have access to self-paced learning and supplemental materials. Students in the Waukegan school district have a choice between hybrid learning (a mix of in-person and remote) or fully virtual learning.
Interested? Fill out our registration form at the link below.
Charla Con el 211 – Chat with 211
United Way of Lake County is pleased to launch a new show soon to spread the word about 211 to our Latinx community. Sara Martinez, our 211 Ambassador, will interview various Latinx leaders from across Lake County about what 211 is, how 211 can help connect people to help, and how 211 has impacted the work they do in the community.
Follow us on Facebook so you’re notified when we launch the series in the coming weeks!
Community Connections: Waukegan Exchange Club
Earlier this month, the Waukegan Exchange Club invited us in to share an update with its members on United Way of Lake County’s work during the pandemic. Dennis Burke who leads Community Partnerships presented an overview of our education programs and community partnerships in Waukegan, including how we have adapted our early education and literacy programs to continue to support families and students this past year.
Our 211 helpline has continued to be a lifeline for families and has answered more than 3x the average number of calls during this time. The Waukegan community represents nearly a third of the total contacts to 211. The top needs requested are rent payment assistance, utility assistance, food pantries, homeless shelters, and low-income/subsidized housing. A real-time snapshot of community-specific needs and other reports can be found on the 211LakeCounty.org website or visit UWLC.211Counts.org.
If your organization is interested in learning more about our work and how to get involved, contact Dennis Burke at (847) 775-1014 or Dennis.Burke@uwlakeco.org.
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 your child’s age 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.
