From HRC: H.R. 4820 would amend the Fair Housing Act to include protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Click here for the story

Jaunita W. Goggins passed alone after touching the lives of so many.

We search for role models in our lives and as we grow older, I think that we lose the fascination with those that achieve greatness through celebrity. Those who make a difference in the lives of others become a flash of blinding light and if you blink, you miss them.

To the unsung hero – it was worth it.

On March 8th SB3447, written by Bill Brady, was relieved of its burden to disciminate on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and religion. The Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA) would have lost some of its effectiveness and power if SB3447 had passed; SB3447 would have allowed discrimination to be applied in the employment practices of religious organizations, associations, societies and non-profits like United Way of Metropolitan Chicago.

Sharon Moreland (left) receives her Diamond Donor certificate from United Way of Metropolitan Chicago employee Rhonda Washington (right)

Habilitative Services, Inc is a multi-faceted human service agency on the West Side of Chicago, developing and providing resources to promote maximum independence, personal responsibility and dignity for mentally, physically, socially and emotionally disabled persons.

Sharon Moreland is the Executive Assistant to the CEO, and served as the Campaign Leader for the 2009 campaign. When I met with Ms Moreland she told me that she had been giving to United Way since her “IBM days”. Further conversation revealed that she had given during her employment at Pitney Bowes as well as continuing to give at Habilitive Services, Inc.

Under her leadership, the Habilitative Services, Inc. campaign increased from about $200 in 2008 to just over $1500 in 2009! In February I returned to visit with the staff to thank them for their outstanding campaign and to present Ms. Moreland with her Diamond Donor certificate and pin commemorating 25 years of giving to United Way. The employees were excited, and commented that “no one has ever come just to say thank you to us”, one employee said that he “felt bad that he didn’t give more”.

I want to say thank you again to Ms. Moreland and all of the staff at Habilitative Services, Inc. for making a difference in the community every day in the work you do and for extending that work to the community at large through the United Way Campaign.

Governor Quinn laid out his Fiscal Year 2011 budget in an address to the General Assembly today.

Right away, he reminded us that “we are in a crisis of historic proportions.”

Maybe a lot of us are numb at this point to the use of the word “crisis.” It can evoke anything from memories of being on the brink of nuclear war in October 1962 to having three sick kids and a proposal due at work. Maybe “crisis” has lost a little of its meaning.

But the Governor is absolutely right. Things are dire here in Illinois. And we can’t afford to just close our eyes, plug our ears and keep digging.

There are vastly different opinions on how to deal with the budget mess we’re in. But cuts alone can’t be the answer — especially in human services. Governor Quinn addressed this directly in his speech:

“Now, there are some people who say we should just cut across the board until we close our 13 Billion dollar deficit and our spending equals our revenues – even if that means draconian cuts in health, human services, education and public safety.

But that approach is both heartless — and naïve.

Taking a chainsaw to our state budget for schools, for healthcare, for human-services, and public safety, is wrong.

Does that mean we can’t make any meaningful cuts in our state spending?

No.

But it means that we must consider the financial impact – as well as the human cost – of every cut we make.”

United Way of Metropolitan Chicago and our partner agencies see families in crisis every day. Jobs have been lost. Incomes and savings have shriveled up. People need help now more than ever.

We need your help, too.

We’ve updated our Advocacy page with a number of actions you can take today to tell Governor Quinn and the General Assembly that now is the time for their leadership.  We are counting on them to protect vital human services as they do what needs to be done to turn around this budget crisis.

Click here to take action today.

Read the rest of this entry »

YLS will host the Community Rock Star Celebration on March 16th, 2010 at the House of Blues Chicago. This event is the culmination of community members submitting nominations for and descriptions of actions/individuals who other’s feel truely exemplify the “Live United” mantra. Nominees will be recognized throughout the event as Community Rock Stars.

When I first heard about the nomination process and upcoming event, I was compelled to ask the question, “What is a Community Rock Star?” The conclusion that I reached was simply that to me a Community Rock Star is someone who demonstrates through their consistent and persistent actions that volunteerism and philanthropy are at the forefront of their list of priorities rather than an afterthought or an “if I have time” or an “if I need a resume booster” affair. A Community Rock Star enthusiastically engages with communities in need – regardless of their personal differences or the varying degrees between their stages in life. Furthermore, a Community Rock Star vehemently and shamelessly recruits anyone who will listen to get on board – if not for their particular cause than for another where the need is also great. Individuals meeting these criteria are who I expect to see recognized on March 16th.

Given that a Community Rock Star may be something different for all of us, I am making this post one for YOU to take the reigns and share your definition and/or expectations of a Community Rock Star. Please post your definition as a comment to this post.

I recently read an article from the NY Times that describes the disparity in cost for heterosexual couples and gay couples as it relates to common financial matters that some may take for granted. Foremost is heathcare – and since that is on everyone’s mind, I wanted to share this story. Check out the links, one in particular links directly to the study that inspired the article.

Are there any LGBT families that would like to share their story?

We all know the state is facing unprecedented financial trouble, operating at an estimated $13 billion deficit. For the first time, Governor Quinn has opened up the budget process to the public by offering the opportunity for citizens of Illinois to post their opinions and ideas on how to resolve the state budget. There are already hundreds of thoughts and opinions from folks across the state on ways to improve Illinois’ fiscal structure.

United Way encourages you to be a part of this historical process by posting your idea at the governor’s website address at www.budget.illinois.gov.

Don’t forget Governor Quinn will formally announce his budget on Wednesday, March 10.
Stay tuned to the United Way of Metro Chicago Web site for current updates on the Illinois state budget crisis.

When I was in the 4th grade, Livin’ On A Prayer was my very favorite song.  I wore out both my Slippery When Wet cassette tape and my acid wash jean jacket because of it.

Well, maybe it’s time to bust out the jean jacket again, because Jon Bon Jovi is partnering with the Corporation for National and Community Service to promote volunteerism across America.

Check out his new video at www.serve.gov

In tribute, some of us here at United Way of Metropolitan Chicago reworked a couple of Bon Jovi songs to celebrate community service (yes, we like to have fun here and no, we won’t quit our day jobs)

To “Livin’ On A Prayer”

(by David Cady, UWMC Finance)

We’ve got to help out
anyway we can
it doesn’t make a difference if you’re a woman or a man
we’ve got the chance
to take a stand
service.gooooooooooov
give it a shot!
WHOOOOAAAA
time to volunteer
WHOOOAAAA OH!
Living United
helping hands
will change things I swear
WHOOOOAAA OH!
Living United!

Get and up start
Your part today
Volunteering is a good thang
If you play your part, it will go a long way
Honey
Volunteering is a good thang

Embrace your inner Richie Sambora — add your own in the comments!

And don’t forget to mark your calendars for Chicago’s United Way Week of Caring during National Volunteer Week this April 18 – 24.