United Way of the North Shore (UWNS) will allocate $132,000 to eight health and human service programs serving the Evanston community. The money comes from the United Way Fund (the Fund) that is managed by the Evanston Community Foundation. Since the endowment fund was started, it has grown substantially, achieving approximately $30,000 in interest in 2008. The additional amount that was allocated this year was taken from the principal of the fund.
Due to current economic trends, many non-profits are struggling this year more than ever. Illinois state budget cuts along with higher demands for services, have put many organizations on the verge of devastation. United Way of the North Shore received approval from the Evanston Community Foundation to withdraw these funds and allocate them to the vital programs serving the people of Evanston.
The application process for programs to receive the funding was heavily based on an evidenced increase of need in the organization’s target population of clients due to the current economic crisis. There was a substantial focus placed on the impact the current economic situation was having on organizations.. Evanston is a unique community of 90,000 people and 90 different nonprofits, therefore programs chosen for funding represent a wide variety of services. The eight agencies and programs that will receive funding include:
- Childcare Network of Evanston, City Wide Child Care Scholarships: $14,000
- Connections for the Homeless, Shelter and Supportive Housing Program: $25,000
- IWSE, Family Support: $22,000
- North Shore Senior Center, Evanston Services: $10,000
- Peer Services, Adult Substance Abuse: $12,000
- The Harbour, STEPS: $12,000
- Youth Job Center, Strategic Corporate Alliance Program: $12,000
- YWCA, Domestic Violence Services: $25,000
