In special recognition of United Way of Lake County’s 211, the Lake County Board, as well as the Villages of Antioch, Gurnee and Mundelein, and Cities of North Chicago, Waukegan and Zion, have all proclaimedFebruary 11, 2024 as “211 Day”! We are grateful to our local government partners for their generous support of our 211 service, as well as the many other partners and individuals who have contributed to help make 211 a reality for our community.
211 has already made a tremendous impact, making more than 250,000 connections to essential health and human services in Lake County. 211 Day is a wonderful opportunity to continue to raise awareness of this vital service to improve and save lives in our community.
We invite you to help us spread the word about 211. Check out our social media channels for posts to share and visit 211LakeCounty.org for more information and promotional materials.
Black History Month Reading Day in Waukegan
In honor of Black History Month, Great Lakes Credit Union (GLCU) partnered with us again to coordinate a special reading day at North Elementary in Waukegan. This event brought GLCU readers into classrooms to share stories celebrating Black culture and traditions. GLCU sponsored all the books, which were given to the school after the event.
Thank you, GLCU, for being a wonderful partner! Together, we are not just celebrating Black history; we’re actively building a brighter, equitable future.
Create Your Legacy
Donors from all walks of life at all income levels can make an investment in securing the future of our community. The process is simple, and the impact will last for generations.
There are many ways to make a charitable gift, such as donating stock or securities, using your IRA or donor-advised fund, and including us in your will or living trust. Learn about the many ways to give by clicking below.
Young Professionals Group Makes a Difference
Leaders United members returned to COOL Food Pantry in Waukegan to help organize items and assemble 60 bags of essentials that will be distributed to local veterans.
Know a young professional interested in making a difference in their community? Leaders United provides opportunities such as mentoring local students, volunteer projects, building leadership experience, networking with community leaders, and more.
SUCCESS STORY
Destiny’s Progress
United Way of Lake County’s Kindergarten Countdown Camp (KCC) is a free summer learning program for incoming kindergarten students who have little to no preschool experience. Students enrolled are assessed on skills that are essential for successful learning such as recognizing shapes, letters, counting and writing their names.
When Destiny entered KCC, she had difficulty writing her name. When assessed, she scored a “1” indicating she had not yet begun learning this skill.
KCC teachers worked to help Destiny learn how to write her name. She began by tracing the letters of her name over dotted lines, then graduated to writing her name independently on blank lines while looking at her name. By the end of KCC, she scored a “3” on this skill indicating she was in progress, on her way to proficiency.
Destiny’s mom shared that KCC helped her daughter be better prepared for kindergarten. “She learned how to take the school bus, she learned how to engage with other students and make more friends. She learned how to write her name and she learned her numbers.”
The progress and growth Destiny made in KCC has prepared her for successful learning in kindergarten!
Board Member Update
We are thrilled to welcome Marisa Livingston to our Board of Directors for a two-year term. Marisa is Senior Clinical Supplies Manager at Catalent Pharma Solutions and Chairs our Women United affinity group.
A special thank you to outgoing board members Julie Gordon, J. Ramon Rivera and Lupe Rodriguez for their dedicated service.
Manager, 211 Lake County
We seek 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 people of Lake County, IL.
