Our 2024-2025 bilingual Kindergarten Readiness Calendars are now available! They are free, a great resource for families, designed for preschool-age children, and filled with tips and 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. Pickups are available by appointment, Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, at our office (330 S Greenleaf St, Gurnee, IL).
You can also view and print the monthly pages and activities on our website.
Donate School Supplies to Local Students
For families struggling to meet basic needs like food and shelter, school supplies become extras, not essentials. Without access to these supplies, children start the school year at a disadvantage. But together, we can make a difference!
Join our Stuff the Bus supply drive! You can donate school supplies, or make a monetary donation, to help ensure every student goes back to school with the supplies they need. Now through August 15, you can contribute as an individual or your organization can team up to make a difference!
Barnett Capital and SBB Research Group Join Stuff the Bus
The generous people at Barnett Capital and SBB Research Group purchased and packed supplies for 131 backpacks, which will be distributed to children at Whispering Oaks Apartments in Waukegan during Women United’s Back to School Fair. Barnett Capital also made a generous donation to Women United’s Little Kids, Big Futures Fund, helping to support early childhood learning and care in Lake County. Together, we’re creating a brighter future for local students.
Thank you to Women United member Sonia Munoz, who inspired her company to take on this impactful project.
“We are pleased to support the work Women United and United Way does to help children learn the skills and receive the resources needed to enter school ready to succeed!” – Sonia Munoz, Operations Manager, Barnett Real Estate Investment Finance
211: A Critical Community Resource
United Way of Lake County has been working diligently to spread the word about 211—our free, confidential helpline that connects our community members to local health and human services. This multilingual helpline has English and Spanish-speaking navigators and interpretation to more than 150 languages.
211 has already made a tremendous impact on our community. Since launching in 2019, 211 has made 300,000+ connections to essential services.
We need the community’s help to share about this important resource. Visit our 211 Toolkit to find downloadable and printed materials that you can share with your network.
We can also provide 211 training for your organization. If interested, please contact 211LakeCounty@uwlakeco.org.
Preparing Children for Kindergarten
This summer, we were pleased to offer Kindergarten Countdown Camp (KCC) in 6 Lake County school districts. The 140 participating students are now better prepared to succeed in school this fall after practicing key kindergarten skills, following directions and adjusting to the classroom setting.
Women United has continued to show incredible support for KCC over the years. In addition to providing substantial funding for KCC, Women United enjoys getting involved in the program. Women United members recently visited several KCC classrooms, where they read to the students and lead them in a craft project. Thank you, Women United, for sharing your love of learning with our KCC students and for all the ways you support this impactful program!
Bright by Text Expands Age Range
Bright by Text has expanded age-based content up to age 11!
Bright by Text is a great free resource for anyone looking to receive activities, child development information and other tools to assist in their parenting journey. This national texting program’s messages, available in English and Spanish, include topics like brain development, health and wellness, STEM, safety and more.
To sign up, text “UWLC” to 274-448. Then you’ll receive messages timed to your child’s exact age and information about local events and resources, including information about our very own early education programs.
Snap-On Credit at Glen Flora Elementary
Snap-on Credit’s amazing team of creative and enthusiastic volunteers recently joined us to retouch and expand our Early Learning Trail at Glen Flora Elementary in Waukegan.
Early Learning Trails are publicly accessible outdoor learning games designed to develop children’s academic readiness and encourage active movement and play.
The volunteers brought vibrant colors and life to the school, making it a more fun and engaging place for the kids. Thank you, Snap-on Credit volunteers, for your support of Lake County youth and families!
Silly Snack Packs with Trustmark
Trustmark recently joined us to create 144 Snack Packs! The group of volunteers adorned each bag with playful decorations and included a handwritten joke card.
The snack packs are being distributed to the families participating in our summer early learning programming and are sure to brighten their day.
Thank you, Trustmark volunteers, for putting smiles on the faces of so many local children and families!
