Staff Spotlight: Katie Martinez

We are pleased to introduce Katie Martinez, our Specialist in Finance. Keep reading to learn more about her role, what she likes to do in her free time and how she connects to the programs we offer at United Way of Lake County (UWLC)!

When did you start working at UWLC?

I started working at UWLC on April 4th, 2022.

What is your title and role?

My title is Specialist, Finance. I do a lot of the behind-the-scenes work for the Resource Development team. A big part of my job is to maintain our database so our account managers can build relationships with our donors. I also work closely with our Finance, Marketing, and Technology team to do day-to-day operations and prepare for events.

What made you want to be a part of this organization?

I love everything UWLC stands for! I knew I wanted a career that was centered around helping families. Serving people in my community was always a big factor for me as well. I found all that at United Way.

Which of UWLC’s programs do you connect to most and why?

I love the 211 program. I had no idea it even existed until I started working at United Way. I think seeing the impact is what really shocked me. The amount of people the program has helped is truly amazing. This is something everyone in the state can benefit from.

What is your favorite part of your job here?

I love collaborating with the Resource Development team to make connections with our donors. But my favorite part of my job is seeing the community benefit from our work. Coming to work every day and knowing you’re doing something for the community is so rewarding.

What kinds of things do you like to do with your time when you are not at work?

When I’m not at work, I love spending time with my family. I really enjoy spending time outside and going on walks. But I also love staying home and binge-watching shows on Netflix.

Thank you for joining us for another Staff Spotlight. To meet more people on our team, click here.

Staff Spotlight: Gale Graves

We are pleased to introduce Gale Graves, our Vice President of Community Impact. Keep reading to learn more about her role, what she likes to do in her free time and how she connects to the programs we offer at United Way of Lake County (UWLC)!

What is your title and role?

My role as Vice President of Community Impact is to develop community solutions through collaboration and strong diverse partnerships to deliver measurable, purposeful programs and initiatives.

What made you want to be a part of this organization?

United Way of Lake County’s commitment to create the changes necessary to ensure children are prepared for school really excited me. I want to work with our community too and therefore create sustainable change in Lake County for our future.

Which of UWLC’s programs do you connect to most and why?

I believe in all our programs but Success By 6 resonates with me because a key to achieving equity is building the capacity to ensure that all children have access to fun, engaging, and impactful early childhood education opportunities.

What is your favorite part of your job here?

My favorite part of my role is collaborating with the fantastic Community Impact team and creating sustainable change in our communities.

When you are not at work, what kinds of things do you do with your time?

When I am not working, I enjoy spending quality time with my family and friends, experimenting in the kitchen, and giving back to the community.

Thank you for joining us for another Staff Spotlight. To meet more people on our team, click here.

Staff Spotlight: Alina Mozo

We are pleased to introduce, Alina Mozo. Alina is our Executive Assistant. Keep reading to learn more about her role, what she likes to do in her free time and how she connects to the programs we offer at United Way of Lake County (UWLC)!

When did you start working at UWLC?

I started working with UWLC on November 4^th, 2021.

What are your title and role?

My title is Executive Assistant, and my role is to provide executive support. I work with board members and committees, WU members and committees, VIP donors, and leadership donors.

What made you want to be a part of this organization?

I am excited to have joined UWLC. I am amazed of this organization and how UWLC serve the Lake County community. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for me here at UWLC.

Which of UWLC’s programs do you connect to most and why?

I don’t have a preference; I love what all our programs do for the community.

When you are not at work, what kinds of things do you do with your time?

I love working out, taking Zumba classes, and spending time with my family.

Thank you for joining us for another #FamiliarFacesFriday. To meet more people on staff, click here.

Staff Spotlight: Michelle Sanchez

We are pleased to introduce, Michelle Sanchez. Michelle is our Donor Relations Account Manager. Keep reading to learn more about her role, what she likes to do in her free time and how she connects to the programs we offer at United Way of Lake County (UWLC)!

When did you start working at UWLC?

I started working at United Way of Lake County on October 4, 2021.

What are your title and role?

I am a Donor Relationships Account Manager. My role is working with organizations on their employee giving campaigns.

What made you want to be a part of this organization?

I’ve always wanted to work somewhere that made a meaningful difference. The fact that UWLC’s work positively affects the community that I grew up in and still live in was what really sealed the deal for me. I’m excited to be a part of the commitment to support Lake County.

Which of UWLC’s programs do you connect to most and why?

211! I think it’s incredible how much support 211 can offer people. It’s something I didn’t know about prior to working at United Way, and I’m passionate about telling others about it because I know how many lives it can impact.

What is your favorite part of your job here?

Getting to connect with so many people. Since I started, I’ve met a new person almost every day. It’s awesome to get to expand my network and meet so many people that are out there doing work for the community.

When you are not at work, what kinds of things do you do with your time?

I like to run in the evenings and watch cooking videos on TikTok. I’ve also recently picked up reading and aim to read a new book every month or two.

Thank you for joining us for another #FamiliarFacesFriday. To meet more people on staff, click here.

National Volunteer Week 2021

National Volunteer Week is April 18-24, and we would like to take this time to recognize all the selfless individuals who dedicate their time and energy to serve our community. As an organization that relies heavily on volunteers to carry out its mission, this annual week of celebration is near and dear to our hearts. Day in and day out, our volunteers help enrich the lives of those in need and build a stronger, more equitable community. Without volunteers, our work is simply not possible.

In 2020 alone, United Way of Lake County volunteers invested more than 17,000 hours into our Lake County community, and for that, we are so grateful. Keep reading to learn more about our volunteer groups, their work in the community, and how you can get involved.

Women United of Lake County

Women United is a group of more than 100 women who dedicate their time, talent, and resources to ensure Lake County’s most vulnerable children are prepared for kindergarten and ready to succeed. Since 2014, Women United has raised and granted $683,000 to support early childhood education programs that change the educational futures for Lake County’s most vulnerable children.

This powerful network of women is a true gift to United Way of Lake County and the children and families who benefit from their efforts.

Leaders United of Lake County

Leaders United of Lake County is a group of young professionals who are passionate about helping local students and their families. Through philanthropy and volunteerism, they work to ensure that people in Lake County have access to the support and resources they need to thrive. Leaders United is also a great opportunity for those who are seeking to build leadership experiences.

Leaders United’s flagship program is Breakfast Club, a mentorship program in partnership with Robert Abbott Middle School in Waukegan, where members mentor middle school students, provide academic assistance, and help prepare them for high school.

Reading Success Tutors

Founded in 2010, Reading Success is a program offered by United Way of Lake County that aims to ensure that all students in Lake County are able to read at grade level by the end of 3rd grade. Reading Success provides students who require additional reading assistance with a volunteer reading tutor who works one-on-one with them to improve their reading skills.

Reading Success tutors allow students to stay on track with their grade-level literacy in an effort to prepare them for more complex subjects. Throughout the pandemic, this program has been conducted virtually through the Google Classroom platform. Tutors walk students through various readings and together answer story-related questions.

Thanks to our Reading Success tutors, first graders who receive tutoring through this program have reading improvement rates that are 38% higher than their non-tutored peers at the same reading level!

Community Volunteers

United Way of Lake County partners with local organizations and companies, of any size, to create customized experiences that make a meaningful difference in our community. Employee engagement opportunities can help your company build stronger teams, boost employee morale and commitment.

Benefits of working with United Way:

• We are experienced in developing customized volunteer projects that align with your company’s philanthropic focus.
• We have the expertise and established partnerships to ensure volunteer projects are meeting the community’s greatest needs.
• We have the resources to manage your corporate volunteer project to alleviate work for your team.

Interested in volunteering with United Way of Lake County?

Check out our Volunteer Opportunities page or visit one of the pages listed above.

Staff Spotlight: James Daubs

This Familiar Faces Friday, we are highlighting James Daubs, Campaign Associate. Learn more about his role, what he likes to do in his free time and how he connects to the programs we offer at United Way of Lake County (UWLC)!

When did you start working at UWLC?

September 2020.

What is your title and role?

Campaign Associate. Working with businesses on their employee giving campaigns.

What made you want to be a part of this organization?

As I have grown older, I have wanted to find ways to give back to others. United Way has been a great way to do just that—help others less fortunate than myself.

Which of UWLC’s programs do you connect to most and why?

I connected most with 211. Before working at United Way, I had never heard of 211. It is such an amazing program and I made sure that all my friends in Texas knew about the program when the storms hit and all of them lost power at one point or another.

What is your favorite part of your job here?

For me, flexibility is my favorite part of the job. Not only does this job give me flexibility for my studies, but I have also enjoyed working on different programs and (virtually) interacting with my co-workers.

When you are not at work, what kinds of things do you do with your time?

I am pursuing a paralegal degree, so that takes up most of my time these days outside of work. When I have free time, I watch TV and movies, play video games, and trivia.  I love traveling and am planning on continuing my quest next year to visit every Major League baseball stadium across the country.  I’m currently up to 16!

Thank you for joining us for another #FamiliarFacesFriday. To meet more people on staff, click here.