We are pleased to share our fourth annual report for 211 that summarizes the tremendous impact 211 continues to make, including another 79,088 connections to critical services and help!
The report provides a snapshot of the demographic data and top needs requested from 211 between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023. The goal of this report is to share an overview of 211 data on top community needs and the populations we serve in Lake County, as well as trends and highlights throughout the year.
Creating Foundations, Building Futures
Women United recently partnered with Habitat for Humanity and joined other women volunteers in Lake County to start building two new homes in a Waukegan neighborhood being redeveloped. Our members left with full hearts knowing they helped build a brighter future for two women-led families in our community who will now have safe, affordable homeownership.
These efforts are an investment in our young children. Having a safe, stable place to call home is foundational to wellbeing and critical to children’s development. Children with a secure and nurturing home environment have a greater chance to thrive. For example, graduation rates are 19% higher for children of homeowners than for renters. And adults who own their own homes are more likely to pursue their own continued education.
We hope to continue to uplift these families on their educational journey.
View photos and video clips from the project by clicking below.
SUCCESS STORY
Writing Major
Meet Major. He is 5 years old. This summer, Major took part in our Kindergarten Countdown Camp (KCC) to learn key skills and prepare for kindergarten.
One key skill children need for kindergarten is being able to write the letters of their name. At KCC, students begin learning to write their name by tracing the letters over dotted lines.
Like many students attending KCC, Major found it difficult to hold a marker the correct way in order to write. Major’s KCC teachers worked each day to help Major enhance his hand-eye coordination and gain control over his marker. Every morning at KCC, Major would begin class by practicing with his classmates. After weeks of practice, Major learned how to hold his marker correctly. By the end of KCC, he was able to write his name successfully.
Through KCC, Major was able to build a key skill that is essential for successful learning in kindergarten.
Almost Sold Out: Power of the Purse!
Only a few tickets remain! Get your tickets by Friday, October 27.
Join Women United on Sunday, November 5 at Royal Melbourne Country Club in Long Grove for their signature fundraising event, Power of the Purse.
Come away for a fun-filled afternoon with the special women in our lives. We’ll enjoy brunch, bubbly, games and special surprises. There will be more than 40 designer bags, plus silent auction items and raffle baskets to win. All proceeds will support critical early education programs in Lake County.
Place Your Order Today: Kindergarten Readiness Calendars
Our free, bilingual Kindergarten Readiness Calendars are a great resource for families and educators. The calendars are designed for preschool-age children and filled with activities and information to help families get ready for their child’s first day of kindergarten.
Place an order to pick up calendars using our online order form.
Start a Workplace Giving Campaign
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.
We are pleased to share our third annual report for 211 that summarizes the tremendous impact 211 continues to make, including another 57,374 connections to critical services and help!
The report is now available for download and provides a snapshot of the demographic data and top needs requested from 211 between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022. The goal of this report is to share an overview of 211 data on top community needs and the populations we serve in Lake County, as well as trends and highlights throughout the year.
On October 17, we celebrated the third anniversary of 211 services for Lake County with a virtual event highlighting 211’s measurable year-three results and impact. We are thrilled with the number of community members who joined us to learn more about 211 and how it is benefiting Lake County. We are grateful to our host/moderator, expert panel, and 211 leadership team who shared data, insights and real-life stories of how 211 is making a difference every day.
In case you missed it, you can watch a recording of the event on YouTube below.
UWLC Receives Grant from Highland Park Community Foundation
United Way of Lake County was recently awarded a grant by the Highland Park Community Foundation. The grant will support our 211 helpline that connects people in our community to local health and human services.
211 is here to answer the call every day and in times of crisis. We are proud to have supported the community throughout the pandemic and in response to the July 4th shooting tragedy. Thank you, Highland Park Community Foundation, for your generous support of 211!
Little Kids, Big Feelings Event
On October 15, Women United hosted an event called “Little Kids, Big Feelings” at the Whispering Oaks apartment complex in Waukegan. Building on the theme of Social Emotional Learning as introduced by their Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Initiative during a September educational forum, the HUGS Committee took the reins and brought the book, Feelings by Todd Parr to the little ones at Whispering Oaks.
A special thank you to Rosalind Franklin University for sending the Community Care Coach bus so families could get free flu shots, blood pressure tests and blood sugar tests.
We love working with the families there who are doing everything right to put their children on the path to academic success. Look how much fun we all had!
Don’t Miss Out on Power of the Purse!
Join Women United on Sunday, November 6 at Royal Melbourne Country Club in Long Grove for their signature fundraising event, Power of the Purse.
Come away for a fun-filled afternoon to celebrate the special women in our lives. We’ll enjoy a champagne brunch, games, prizes and special surprises. There will be 50+ designer bags, silent auction purses and baskets to bid on in person. 100% of the proceeds will support critical early education programs in Lake County.
SUCCESS STORY: Kindergarten Countdown Camp
This summer, Dayana entered our Kindergarten Countdown Camp as the shyest and most quiet student in her class. Within just a few days, Dayana began confidently belting out the alphabet and leading the class number song!
KCC is a free summer learning program for incoming kindergarten students who have little to no preschool experience. Through KCC, licensed teacher, Mrs. Monbrod, worked with Dayana and her classmates to build key kindergarten readiness skills like writing her name, counting 10 objects and learning her ABCs. Dayana’s skills improved from “beginning” to “in progress” by the end of the summer.
Through KCC, Dayana gained the skills she needed to be on track with her peers and ready to succeed (and sing!) when she entered her first day of kindergarten.
Company Spotlight: Nexus Pharmaceuticals
Nexus Pharmaceuticals is a family-owned and minority-owned company located in Lake County. While Nexus is a newer supporter of United Way of Lake County, it is already becoming 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 our community.
Nexus has generously supported our education programs and 211 helpline through sponsorship of our annual Premier Leaders Event. Nexus employees have also been very generous with their time and have partnered with us to complete a variety of community service projects, including painting the Midwest Veterans Closet and installing Sensory Paths and Early Learning Trails at local schools and libraries.
We asked Nexus why they choose to partner with us, and this is what they said:
“We are proud to support United Way of Lake County’s vast initiatives that benefit the lives of so many in Lake County. With our own families and employees living and working in this community, we value and seek to be stewards of service and support to the families that benefit from United Way. Giving back and having a purpose-driven mission mirrors both United Way’s mission as well as our own company mission at Nexus Pharmaceuticals. We seek to be an active partner in the community for various philanthropic initiatives and echo United Way’s efforts in furthering education and investing in the positive development of our community’s youth.”
Thank you, Nexus, for partnering with us to address critical community needs and build a stronger, equitable Lake County!
If you’re interested in joining Nexus and other companies to create a successful workplace campaign or volunteer opportunity, please reach out.
We are pleased to share our second annual report for 211 that summarizes the tremendous impact 211 continues to make, including another 50,350 connections to critical services and help!
The report is now available for download and provides a snapshot of the demographic data and top needs requested from 211 between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021. The goal of this report is to share an overview of 211 data on top community needs and the populations we serve in Lake County, as well as trends and highlights throughout the year.
Last month, we celebrated the second anniversary of 211 services for Lake County with a 90-minute virtual event highlighting 211’s measurable year-two results and impact. We are thrilled with the number of community members who joined us to learn more about 211 and how it is benefiting Lake County. We are grateful to our host/moderator, expert panel, and 211 leadership team who shared data, insights and real-life stories of how 211 is making a difference every day.
In case you missed it, you can watch a recording of the event on YouTube below.
You’re Invited: Power of the Purse!
Join Women United on Sunday, November 7, for their signature fundraising event, Power of the Purse!
Women United has a virtual option available again—an online buying and bidding shopping experience that includes dozens of designer bags, silent auction purses, baskets and items. Get your ticket today!
100% of all proceeds and items purchased will support early education programs in Lake County’s most vulnerable communities through the Little Kids, Big Futures Fund.
Hispanic Heritage Month Book Drive
Earlier this month we launched a Hispanic Heritage Book Drive to put books by Hispanic/Latinx authors, featuring Hispanic/Latinx characters and influential figures, into the hands of eager young readers in Lake County. The books will be donated to local elementary schools, increasing children’s access to books promoting a positive equity message.
If you’d like to support the book drive, you can make a gift below.
Celebrating LGBTQ+ History Month
LGBTQ+ History Month is in October and each year it is marked with events celebrating the history and achievements of the LGBTQ+ community. When the observance was started, it mainly served as a call to action for the movement and its prosperity. But over the years, LGBTQ+ History Month has evolved into a national collaborative effort to bring extraordinary figures from the LGBTQ+ community into the spotlight. At United Way of Lake County, we are celebrating by learning the history and are a sponsor of LGBTQ+ Center Lake County’s fall fundraiser.
At United Way, we celebrate unique and diverse identities and experiences. We believe that all people deserve fairness, justice and security. We create a welcoming environment in which everyone feels valued and respected. We commit to aligning our culture and business practices to advance diversity, equity and inclusion to better address our community’s needs.
We would like your opinions!
The Center for Governmental Studies at Northern Illinois University is conducting a survey to find out about awareness, usage, and opinions of a new service for Lake County individuals and families. The survey takes about 5 minutes to complete. The survey results will be used by the sponsor of the survey to help plan for the future of the service.
If your household is one of the limited number of households that is randomly selected to participate, please complete the survey. Your responses to the survey are very important to us. Your responses will be confidential. All information provided will be reported in summary form only. No information will be reported that will identify individual survey respondents.
Thank you for your participation.
Introducing Our Interns
We are excited to welcome our interns—Demetrius Nance, Humera Khaleel and Marissa Gomez!
Both Humera and Marissa are interns with our Success By 6 team. Humera’s work will be focused on Early Learning Clubs, Bright By Text, and Kindergarten Readiness Calendars. Marissa will be working with our Better Together families by providing necessary resources and assisting with kindergarten readiness. As part of our 211 team, Demetrius will be working in community engagement, focusing on Black and veteran communities.
