Naperville United Way and United Way of the DuPage Area today announce their merger, which will be completed by October 1, 2008, to provide greater efficiency and add more resources to help local residents in their time of need. The new United Way of the DuPage Area will be the largest, most comprehensive in the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago system.
“We initiated this merger as part of our strategic imperative to better serve the people of Naperville,” said Chip Downing, board president of United Way Naperville and divisional senior vice president of Great American Insurance. “Not only does this consolidation add financial and people resources to supporting health and human service programs but it also makes it easier for our agency partners, who are stretched more than ever to provide help to individuals and families in need.”
The Naperville and DuPage United Ways support 30 and 44 agencies, respectively, 21 of which they both share in common; these agencies will now have a central point for funding requests and other support efforts.
“We are thrilled to hear that two of our most important community partners are coming together,” said Carol Simler, executive director of DuPage PADS, a leading agency that is funded by both United Ways. “Each of these United Ways is a leader in our health and human service work and this consolidation will make that work easier, giving us more time for collaboration instead of paperwork. With this streamlining, they can focus more on finding resources, which moving forward, may be one of our area’s most critical issues.”
“By consolidating these two strong organizations, we can streamline operations and devote more donor dollars to touch and improve more people’s lives,” said Walker Geyer, United Way of the DuPage Area board president and managing director of Capital Markets for Paramount Lodging Advisors. “Combining forces frees up staff time from administrative concerns to focus more time and energy on engaging our community to advance the common good.”
According to both United Ways, there is great overlap in the human service issues people in their communities face and the programs that best address them. With demographics shifts, the aging of the population and decreasing government funding adding more pressure for support, this consolidation allows United Way to proactively build resources and partnerships that help the combined communities flourish.
“What changes,” said Mr. Geyer, “is around simplifying processes and eliminating duplication. What doesn’t change is the local nature of our work, improving lives in the same communities we have always focused on.” These communities include Addison, Bensenville, Bloomingdale, Burr Ridge, Carol Stream, Clarendon Hills, Darien, Downers Grove, Elmhurst, Glen Ellyn, Glendale Heights, Hinsdale, Itasca, Keeneyville, Lisle, Lombard, Medinah, Naperville, Oak Brook, Oakbrook Terrace, Roselle, Villa Park, Warrenville, West Chicago, Westmont, Wheaton, Willowbrook, Winfield, Wood Dale, and Woodridge.
Mr. Downing said, “Together, we will invest more than $4 million in local health and human care programs in the coming year. Local volunteers in each of our communities will continue to determine where the funding should be directed based on the priority needs in each community. United Way does not exist without the invaluable leadership of residents like Mayor Pradel who will serve as an honorary board member of the newly merged organization.”
Mr. Downing also confirmed continuation of the annual garden sculpture program that has become a Naperville tradition. The 2008 launch is scheduled for 5:00 PM on May 15 at Edward Hospital where the preview party will feature this year’s sculptures theme, “Garden Party.”
