Tag: Lake County

Meet the Interns: David Astudillo

by Jennifer StromCategories: News, Staff Spotlights

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We are excited to welcome David Astudillo, our newest intern! We love getting to introduce new people to the work we do at United Way of Lake County (UWLC). As part of our 211 team, David is capturing 211 caller stories for our newsletters and collecting monthly report data. He is also assisting the marketing team by gathering social media analytics, offering ideas to enhance UWLC’s presence on social media, and more. Join us in welcoming David!

Where do you go to school, what is your major, and when will you graduate?

I am currently majoring in communication and minoring in professional writing and psychology at the University of Illinois Chicago. I will be earning a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences this May.

Where are you from?

I was born and raised in Waukegan, Illinois and I have continued to reside here throughout the pandemic.

What is your favorite type of food?

I love any type of pasta! When it comes to desserts my favorite would have to be banana bread pudding.

What is one of your favorite movies?

Some of my favorite movies to watch are Pixar animated movies! My favorite Pixar movie is, Inside Out.

Who inspires you?

Healthcare workers are people who I appreciate given the recent events that have shaken our country. Since the start of COVID-19 I have been amazed at what healthcare workers have been able to do as they put their lives on the line every day in order to care for citizens.

What is a fun fact about yourself?

During my downtime, I like to scour the internet in search of vintage movie posters to add to my collection.

To learn more about internship opportunities at United Way, click here.

Meet the Interns: Sophie Hyde

by Lauren SchwabeCategories: News, Staff Spotlights

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We are excited to welcome Sophie Hyde, our newest Success By 6 intern! We love getting to introduce new people to the work we do at United Way of Lake County. As part of our Success By 6 team, Sophie will work to provide parents with resources to help children receive a strong education and aid their overall development. She will also be assisting with the launch of a new program for UWLC called “Bright by Text”. Sophie focuses on embracing a multicultural perspective and promoting inclusivity. Join us in welcoming Sophie!

Where do you go to school, what is your major, and when will you graduate?

I am currently a student at Carthage College in Kenosha, WI, and will be graduating in May 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in Social Work.

Where are you from?

I am from Schaumburg, IL.

What is your favorite type of food?

I love to cook all types of food, especially when I can use produce from my garden. If I am eating out, I am probably eating Thai or Indian food.

What is one of your favorite books?

One of my favorite books is The Book of Laughter and Forgetting by Milan Kundera. I find this quote from the book to be true, “The stupidity of people comes from having an answer for everything. The wisdom of the novel comes from having a question for everything.”

What is your go-to karaoke song?

I often have my own karaoke sessions when I’m driving and listening to Almost Cut My Hair by Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young.

What is a fun fact about yourself?

I have a pet chameleon and recently started learning how to play the harp.

To learn more about internship opportunities at United Way, click here.

Meet the Interns: Olivia Jensen

by Lauren SchwabeCategories: News, Staff Spotlights

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We are excited to welcome Olivia Jensen, our newest Marketing intern! We love getting to introduce new people to the work we do at United Way of Lake County. As part of our Marketing team, Olivia will provide assistance with several graphic design projects. Join us in welcoming Olivia!

What’s your school/major/year?

I’m going to be a senior at Judson University in Elgin, IL. I am studying graphic design and loving it.

Where are you from?

Currently, I’m living in Lindenhurst, IL.

What’s your favorite food?

Give me some classic spaghetti and meatballs and I’ll devour it. Also, gotta love some bubble tea.

What is something interesting about you?

Though I have never had a real bunny, I do have a probably unhealthy obsession with bunnies because they are so cute.

If you had to sing one karaoke song for the rest of your life what would it be?

I am always down to do a duet of A Whole New World with someone.

What’s one of your favorite movies?

How to Train Your Dragon is one of my favorites! It has a beautiful soundtrack as well.

To learn more about internship opportunities at United Way, click here.

April 2020 e-Newsletter

by Lauren SchwabeCategories: News, Newsletter

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Thank You to Our Wonderful Volunteers!

April 19-25 is National Volunteer Week. At United Way of Lake County, we appreciate our volunteers all year long, but this is an opportunity to let every one of you know that the time you choose to spend helping others in the community is truly inspirational. Our work is simply not possible without our volunteers and we are truly grateful for the dedication, time and the talent of people, like you.

From all of us at United Way of Lake County, thank you for all you do!

If you are looking for ways to help our community during this time of great need, review our list of volunteer opportunities by clicking below.

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Kendra Scott Gives Back Event

Want to shop online while supporting children’s education in Lake County? You can do just that during Women United’s virtual Kendra Scott Gives Back event. All funds raised by Women United will support early literacy programs in Lake County.

On April 23 and 24, visit KENDRASCOTT.COM using code “GIVEBACK7146” at check out and 20% of your purchase will support Women United. Be the first to shop Kendra Scott’s NEW Spring collection while supporting an amazing cause! RSVP at the link below to receive an email reminder when the event is live.

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Respond to the 2020 Census Today

The 2020 Census is happening now! Answer 10 questions and help bring a decade of funding to Lake County for roads, schools, healthcare and much more. It’s easy, confidential and important. You can respond online at my2020census.gov, by phone at (844) 330-2020, or by mail.

If you need help responding or have questions, call 211 or text your zip code to 898211. You can also contact United Way of Lake County at (847) 775-1000.

Help spread the word about the importance of the census by sharing our post on Facebook.

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Reading Success Celebration Continues

In honor of Reading Success’ 10-year anniversary, we interviewed tutors and teachers from three different schools that have seen the great impact of this program. In our last two newsletters, we highlighted North Elementary and Clark Elementary in Waukegan.

Next up is Clearview Elementary. At Clearview, we spoke with volunteer tutor Linda Rambo and third grade teacher Ms. Lewis. Read their first-hand accounts of how Reading Success has helped students develop strong reading skills and improve reading performance so they can be on track to succeed in school.

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Internship Opportunity: 211 and Community Impact

We are looking to hire a “211 and Community Impact Initiative Intern” for Fall 2020 through Spring 2021. This intern will participate in planning activities and implementation of the 211 Program, including:

  • Development of plans and related materials for community engagement.
  • Working with community stakeholders to create partnerships that support the further integration of 211 into community agencies and groups.
  • Attending community events to conduct outreach to individuals on United Way programs.
  • Assist in the data collection, analysis and dissemination of outcomes measurements.
  • Assisting in research on best practices to guide development of strategic plans and assessments for the initiative.

Review the full internship description by clicking the button below.

Interested? Apply by submitting your resume to Robert Szarzynski, HR Director, at Robert.Szarzynski@uwlakeco.org.

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Lake County’s COVID-19 Community Response Fund

On March 20, we established the Lake County COVID-19 Community Response Fund to support local nonprofit organizations serving Lake County’s most vulnerable neighbors.

Since launching, a total of $213,262 from the fund has been granted swiftly back into the community to 14 local nonprofits so they can continue their work providing resources for Lake County’s most at-risk children and families. Additional grants will be awarded on a rolling basis to quickly respond to urgent and evolving needs, as funds are available.

Donations of any amount will make an immediate impact on critical needs in Lake County. With new tax advantages for donating to charities, there is no better time to give generously than now. (See CARES Act article below for more information.) United Way covers all administrative costs so that 100% of donations go directly to recipient agencies.

We are so grateful to the hundreds of individuals and organizations who have donated! If you’d like to make a gift in support of the fund, please click below.

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We Are Here For You!

While our offices remain closed temporarily, we are working harder than ever to help support our community during this crisis. Our staff are working remotely and can be reached at (847) 775-1000.

If you need assistance finding food, shelter, rent or utility assistance, or other essential services, CALL 211 or TEXT your zip code to 898211 to speak with someone who can guide you to available resources. 211 is open to everyone in Lake County, 24/7. You can also visit 211LakeCounty.org.

We’re proud to share one of our new 30-second ads for 211. Watch it below. Want to share it on Facebook? Click here.

Questions about COVID-19?

Here’s where you can get accurate, reliable and up-to-date information:

  • Visit the Lake County Health Department website for local updates and to sign up for email alerts.
  • To receive information about coronavirus via text message, text “COVID19” to 211211.

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CARES Act Includes Charitable Giving Tax Break for Donors

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was enacted on March 27, 2020. The CARES Act includes added financial incentives for community members who want to make donations in support of local efforts to combat the near- and long-term effects of the pandemic. A universal tax break for charitable donations was included in the stimulus package and will go into effect for the 2020 tax year.

  • Donors who take the standard deduction may also take an “above-the-line” deduction for up to $300 in charitable donations given in 2020. This effectively allows a limited charitable deduction to taxpayers claiming the standard deduction. For example, if you take the standard deduction and give $300 to charity, you will get a $300 tax break in addition to the standard deduction.
  • For donors who itemize deductions, the limit on charitable deductions – generally 60% of modified adjusted gross income – doesn’t apply to qualifying cash contributions to public charities in 2020; instead the CARES Act allows taxpayers to claim a tax deduction of up to 100% of your Adjusted Gross Income for contributions to qualifying charities.
  • For corporate donors, the limitation on charitable deductions, which is generally 10% of modified taxable income, doesn’t apply to qualifying contributions made in 2020. The new law temporarily lifts the limit from 10% to 25% of modified taxable income for 2020 filings.

Please consult your accountant or tax preparer for more information about these changes, and how they can help you help others during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Stay Home Save Lives

The Lake County Health Department has developed the #StayHomeSaveLives public health education campaign to help our community understand COVID-19 and the importance of social distancing. View their first video below. Check out their Facebook page for more helpful information.

March 2020 e-Newsletter

by Lauren SchwabeCategories: News, Newsletter

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Lake County’s COVID-19 Community Response Fund

We’re at an unprecedented time and our ability to respond to the increasing needs is crucial. The COVID-19 health crisis is a real-time picture of the increased challenges that families across Lake County are facing every day. Our community’s health and human service organizations are experiencing a huge surge in demand for critical services from neighbors and communities significantly impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. It’s critical that these organizations have the support they need to continue to operate at the highest capacity.

United Way of Lake County has established the Lake County COVID-19 Community Response Fund to support local nonprofit organizations serving Lake County’s most vulnerable neighbors. The fund, established in collaboration with Lake County Government, Lake County Community Foundation and Lake County Municipal League, unites monies raised by Lake County philanthropies, corporations and individuals to be disbursed to nonprofit organizations across the county.

Funds will support providers responding to growing requests for assistance with:

  • Increased access to emergency food and basic supplies
  • Rent and mortgage assistance
  • Utility assistance
  • Emerging emergency needs identified through the 211 information and referral helpline

You can help by doing two things:

  1. Donate to the fund because every dollar counts.
  2. Share this message broadly with your networks, including via social media. Links to the giving website and our social media posts are below.

Please join us and support our local nonprofit partners through the Lake County COVID-19 Community Response Fund. Together, we can ensure they have the vital resources needed to address critical needs in this time of crisis.

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If you need assistance finding food, shelter, rent or utility assistance, or other essential services, CALL 211 or TEXT your zip code to 898211 to speak with someone who can help. 211 is available 24/7.

Questions about COVID-19?

Here’s where you can get accurate, reliable and up-to-date information:

We Are Here For You!

While our offices are closed temporarily to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, our work continues as staff are working remotely and can be reached at (847) 775-1000. If you need help connecting to available community resources, call 211 or text your zip code to 898211. Our 211 information and referral helpline is available 24/7. You can also visit 211LakeCounty.org.

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UWLC Hosts Countywide Reading Day in Honor of Dr. Seuss

In early March, over 100 volunteers participated in a county-wide volunteer effort to read to 2,000 students across 82 classrooms in celebration of Dr. Seuss’ birthday and Read Across America Day. Volunteers read Dr. Seuss books to students ranging from pre-K to 3rd grade.

View photos by clicking on each of the schools below:

  • On March 2, volunteers visited Glen Flora, McCall, and North Elementary Schools in Waukegan.
  • On March 6, volunteers visited East (Zion), Howe (Beach Park), and Pleviak (Lake Villa) Elementary Schools.

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Reading Success Celebration Continues

In honor of Reading Success’ 10-year anniversary, we interviewed tutors and teachers from three different schools that have seen the great impact of this program. In our last newsletter, we highlighted North Elementary in Waukegan.

Next up is Clark Elementary School. We spoke with volunteer tutor Teresa Hatten, second grade teacher Ms. Vick, and reading support specialist Melissa Pankiewicz. Read their first-hand accounts of how Reading Success has helped students develop strong reading skills and improve reading performance so they can be on track to succeed in school.

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Women United Raises $20,000 at Bingo Bash

On March 7, Women United hosted a co-ed Windy City Bingo Bash fundraiser to support early childhood literacy. We are excited to announce that the event raised $20,000! Thank you to all our amazing supporters for helping us make a difference in local children’s lives. The event was a great success because of you!

View photos from the event below.

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Census 2020: A Full Count is Important for the Future of Our Children

The Census helps determine which areas qualify for the critical resources that children and families depend on for the next 10 years—basically an entire childhood!

Accurate census data means our local communities will be more likely to get the roads, schools, child and senior centers, hospitals, and other services our families need. It will also decide how much money Illinois will get to help pay for All Kids health insurance, school breakfast and lunch programs, food stamps, financial aid for college, and many other programs that are important to keeping our children healthy, strong and well educated.

Responding to the Census is easy! This year you can respond online at my2020Census.gov. If you have not received the Census invite letter with your unique Census ID, you can still respond by using your address instead of the Census ID.

If you need help responding to the census or have questions, call 211 or text your zip code to 898211. You can also contact United Way of Lake County at (847) 775-1000.

February 2020 e-Newsletter

by Lauren SchwabeCategories: News, Newsletter

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Reading Success Celebrates 10 Years!

We are proud to celebrate 10 years of our Reading Success program in Waukegan Public Schools! The success of this program wouldn’t be possible without the support of the many volunteer tutors who help ensure students are reading at grade level by the end of 3rd grade.

A group of fourteen Lake County Judges, led by Judge Luis A. Berrones, who volunteer in Ms. Chang’s first grade class at North Elementary were recently featured on WGN-TV and in local publications including The North Shore Weekend, Lake County Journal and Puro Futbol.

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In honor of Reading Success’ 10-year anniversary, we interviewed tutors, teachers and principals from three different schools that have seen the great impact of this program. First up, North Elementary in Waukegan. We spoke with volunteer tutor Judge Luis A. Berrones, first grade teacher Ms. Chang, and principal Nicole Lemburger. Read their first-hand accounts of how Reading Success has helped students develop strong reading skills and improve reading performance so they can be on track to succeed in school.

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February 11 Proclaimed “211 Day”

The Lake County Board officially proclaimed February 11 as “211 Day” in Lake County, IL! Thank you to Lake County Government for being a key community partner in raising awareness and support for this vital service.

From February 11 to February 21, we will be highlighting 211 in our community through a series of 11 posts as part of our #11DaysOf211 social media campaign. You can help us spread the word about 211 by engaging with our posts on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

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A Fun Night Out Supporting Local Early Literacy Programs

Join Women United on March 7 for their co-ed Windy City Bingo Bash fundraiser at the Merit Club in Libertyville. Tickets are now available!

Attendees will enjoy a fun night of Juke Box Bingo*, Chicago-style snacks and desserts, beer, wine and cocktails (with and without alcohol), sports-themed games, silent auction, 50/50 raffle and prizes galore.

All proceeds from this event will support early literacy programs through the Little Kids, Big Futures Fund.

*Juke Box Bingo is a combination of “Name That Tune” and traditional BINGO. Instead of listening to numbers being drawn (B-1, I-17, yawn!), you and your friends will be tapping your toes to the beat of the music, sipping your favorite beverages, and stamping bingo cards to win prizes!

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Shakou Donating Portion of Sales to Women United

Save the Date! Women United was selected by Shakou Libertyville, an award-winning restaurant serving sushi and Asian cuisine, to be a part of their Shakou Cares program in support of local causes on March 10. That means 10% of that day’s sales, including both food and alcohol, goes to Women United.

Shakou Libertyville is open 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Reserve a table, use their app, or simply stop by for lunch, dinner or after dinner drinks. We hope you come out to support Women United.

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Census 2020: How to Make Sure Your Family is Counted

In March and April, you will get information in the mail from the U.S. Census Bureau on how to respond by phone, online or with a mail-in paper questionnaire. You can answer the census questions anytime between March and July.

Starting in May, Census takers will begin visiting homes that have not responded to the 2020 Census to help make sure everyone is counted. The best way to avoid a visit is to respond by phone, online or with the mail-in questionnaire before the end of April.

If you need help responding to the census or have questions, call 211 or text your zip code to 898211. You can also contact United Way of Lake County at (847) 775-1000.

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UWLC’s Quinton Snodgrass Selected for Worldwide Leadership Program

Congrats to our VP of Resource Development, Quinton Snodgrass, who has been selected to participate in United Way Worldwide’s Advanced Leadership Program—an accelerated year-long leadership development experience designed for senior level professionals that have demonstrated results and capacity to lead.

“We are proud that Quinton was chosen to be a member of the next class of the Advanced Leadership Program and is among the best and brightest of United Way,” said Kristi Long, President and CEO, United Way of Lake County. “It is leaders like Quinton that will engage with the next generation of donors and carry our mission into the 21st century.”

Selection for the Advanced Leadership Program is based on performance, potential and core competencies. Applications for the program come from the worldwide network of 12,850 people and are open to those working across all departments and groups. This program is available to eighteen applicants each year.

 

January 2020 e-Newsletter

by Jennifer StromCategories: News, Newsletter

New Year, New Volunteer Opportunities

Want to get involved and make a difference in your community this year? We organize year-round volunteer opportunities that you or your company can get involved in. Check out these two current opportunities:

Dr. Seuss Readers

Join us on Monday, March 2 or Friday, March 6, to participate in Dr. Seuss’ Birthday and Read Across America Day. Volunteers will be “guest readers” and share their love of reading with kindergarten through third grade children.

Career Speakers

Career Speakers are successful local professionals who demonstrate the value of staying in school and illustrate the direct connection between academics and future success. Career Speakers engage students in discussions focusing around career exploration, creating future pathways, and encourage leadership and success in school. Speakers will visit Waukegan schools now through the end of Spring.

Interested in volunteering? Contact Bobbi Selvik at Bobbi.Selvik@uwlakeco.org.

View our full list of volunteer opportunities – both one-time and ongoing – by clicking the button below.

Thank You for Your Support!

In December 2019, our Board of Directors sponsored our end of year campaign and matched all gifts up to $7,000. We are thrilled with the support of our community and happy to announce that we exceeded our goal! A huge thank you to everyone who made a gift and to our Board.

The funds raised will support children and families right here in Lake County and make it possible for us to make an even bigger impact on our local community to help improve and save lives. Together, we are achieving long-lasting results for our community, our neighbors, our children.

Give the Gift of Reading – Dr. Seuss Book Fundraiser

We are raising money to purchase Dr. Seuss books to be donated to classroom libraries at local elementary schools.

On March 2, dozens of volunteers will go to classrooms across Lake County for Read Across America Day and read Dr. Seuss books to the young students. Books will be donated for ongoing use in these classrooms.

You can give the gift of reading today—every little bit helps. Thank you for your support and helping us foster a love of reading in our youngest learners!

You’re Invited to Women United’s Windy City Bingo Bash

Join Women United on March 7 for their co-ed Windy City Bingo Bash fundraiser at the Merit Club in Libertyville. Tickets are now available!

Attendees will enjoy a fun night of Juke Box Bingo*, Chicago-style snacks and desserts, beer, wine and cocktails (with and without alcohol), sports-themed games, silent auction, 50/50 raffle and prizes galore.

All proceeds from this event will support early literacy programs through the Little Kids, Big Futures Fund.

*Juke Box Bingo is a combination of “Name That Tune” and traditional BINGO. Instead of listening to numbers being drawn (B-1, I-17, yawn!), you and your friends will be tapping your toes to the beat of the music, sipping your favorite beverages, and stamping bingo cards to win prizes!

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Sip, Chat and Learn with Leaders United

Join Leaders United of Lake County on Thursday, February 6, from 6 – 8 p.m. at North Shore Distillery (13990 Rockland Road, Green Oaks) to talk with current and prospective members and learn how to get involved. Enjoy drinks and snacks while learning more about how to create positive change in Lake County.

Leaders United is a group of volunteer young professionals who strive to help local students achieve success and become the future leaders of tomorrow.

Interested in joining? Contact Bobbi Selvik via email at Bobbi.Selvik@uwlakeco.org.

The 2020 Census and Lake County

This spring the 2020 Census will take place. The goal is to count every person living in the country and it is done every ten years. The Official Census Day is April 1, 2020.

A full census count is very important to the future of our children in Lake County.

The number of people counted in our state by the Census Bureau will determine where schools, roads, hospitals, childcare centers and senior centers will be built. It will also determine how much money Illinois will get to help pay for All Kids insurance, school breakfast and lunch programs, finical aid for college, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (also known as SNAP or food stamps) and many other programs that are important to keeping our children healthy, strong and well educated.

Children are often missed in the census count.

It is important that you count everyone who is living in your house on April 1, 2020. This includes you, all the children living with you whether they are yours or someone else’s, and anyone else like grandparents, cousins or even friends who are living in your home. You should count everyone, even if they are not U.S. citizens (the Census Bureau does not ask about citizenship). The information you provide to the U.S. Census Bureau is safe and secure and cannot be shared with anyone else by law, including any other government agencies.

Responding to the 2020 Census is an easy, safe and very important way to help provide resources for our children and our communities over the next 10 years.

How to make sure your family is counted.

You will get information from the U.S. Census Bureau in the mail in March and April on how to respond by phone, online or with a mail-in paper questionnaire. You can answer the census questions anytime between March and June.

If you do not answer before the end of April, a Census Bureau worker will knock on your door and ask you the questions face-to-face. The best way to avoid a visit is to respond by phone, online or with the mail-in questionnaire before the end of April.

Women United invites you to attend their Wine & Learn on Thursday, February 20, at 6 p.m. in Libertyville to learn more about membership and how we mobilize our efforts to support early childhood literacy.

Together we strengthen Lake County through philanthropy, leadership and volunteerism with a flexible program structure that enables busy, successful women to engage at whatever level works best for them. Become a part of something bigger!

Want to attend? Please RSVP to Janice at Janice.Scarbalis@uwlakeco.org by Monday, February 17.

Learn more about the event on Facebook by clicking the button below.

File for FREE with My Free Taxes

No need to stress. United Way and H&R Block have teamed up to bring you free tax prep you can trust. File your state and federal taxes for $0 at MyFreeTaxes.com.

New for 2020: Filers of all incomes can now use MyFreeTaxes!

 

Meet the Interns: Lauren Schwabe

by Lauren SchwabeCategories: News, Staff Spotlights

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We are excited to welcome Lauren Schwabe, our newest Marketing intern! We love getting to introduce new people to the work we do at United Way of Lake County. As part of our Marketing team, Lauren assists with our designed materials, website, blog, videos, social media, and much more. Join us in welcoming Lauren!

Where did you go to school, what was your major, and when did you graduate?

I attended The Illinois Institute of Art in Schaumburg, I have my Bachelor’s Degree in Media Arts & Animation, and I graduated in 2015.

Where are you from?

I am from Lake Villa, Illinois.

What’s your favorite type of food?

Thai, Japanese and Italian!

What is something interesting that no one knows about you?

I really want to travel more, first choice is Italy.

If you had to sing one karaoke song for the rest of your life, what would it be?

“Poor Unfortunate Souls” from The Little Mermaid.

What is one of your favorite movies? 

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

 

To learn more about internship opportunities at United Way, click here.

Meet the Interns: Monica Carrasco

by Jennifer StromCategories: News, Staff Spotlights

We are excited to welcome Monica Carrasco, our newest Success By 6 intern! We love getting to introduce new people to the work we do at United Way of Lake County. As part of our Success By 6 team, Monica will work to ensure kids in Lake County receive Kindergarten Readiness Calendars to support learning at home, provide assistance to the Better Together program that guides parents to learn skills on how to be their child’s first teacher, assist with Kindergarten Countdown Camp to help incoming kindergarteners with little to no preschool experience be better prepared before they start school in the fall, and she will become an Early Reading Success Tutor in the Waukegan School District. Join us in welcoming Monica!

Where do you go to school, what is your major, and what year are you?

I am a Senior at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin. I am majoring in Social Work with minors in Religion and Spanish.

Where are you from?

I am from Beach Park, Illinois.

What’s your favorite restaurant and/or food?

Chick-fil-A. I also love pizza and wings!

What is something interesting that no one knows about you?

This summer I went to Cancun and I did some ziplining, rode ATVs and swam in a cenote.

If you had to sing one karaoke song for the rest of your life, what would it be?

“Si No Te Hubieras Ido” by Marco Antonio Solís.

What is the best movie in the world and why do you think so?

I believe the best movie in the world is Mulan. It’s empowering for girls to know that they can do things on their own and accomplish great things.

To learn more about internship opportunities at United Way, click here.

Meet the Interns: Maria Martinez

by Jennifer StromCategories: News, Staff Spotlights

We are excited to welcome Maria Martinez, our newest Success By 6 intern! We love getting to introduce new people to the work we do at United Way of Lake County. As part of our Success By 6 team, Maria will work to ensure kids in Lake County receive Kindergarten Readiness Calendars to support learning at home, provide ongoing support with Early Learning Clubs to connect schools and day care centers with resources for young learners, assist with 211 presentations for the Lake County community, and be an Early Reading Success Tutor in the Waukegan School District. Join us in welcoming Maria!

Where do you go to school, what is your major, and what year are you?

I go to Northeastern Illinois University and I am majoring in Social Work. I am currently a senior.

Where are you from?

I am from Round Lake, Illinois.

What’s your favorite restaurant and/or food?

My favorite food is pasta and my favorite restaurant to get pasta is at Barnelli’s, which is in Portillo’s.

What is something interesting that no one knows about you?

Something interesting that no one knows about me would be that I have traveled to Mexico almost every year since I was 5 years old.

If you had to sing one karaoke song for the rest of your life, what would it be?

If I had to sing one karaoke song for the rest of my life it would be Million Reasons by Lady Gaga.

What is your favorite TV show?

My favorite TV show is Friends.

To learn more about internship opportunities at United Way, click here.

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