The South-Southwest Suburban United Way is looking for sponsors for its Get Down 4 The Common Good performing arts showcase of talented Southland community teens March 28, 2010 at the agency, 4711 Midlothian Turnpike, Suite 17, Crestwood, Illinois.

The event will benefit college scholarships, youth empowerment programs and United Club’s Youth Venture grants awarded to teens making a difference in their communities.

Sponsorships are $5,000, and sponsors’ names will be included in all media press releases, on-air PSAs, marketing materials distributed to schools and studios in 56 communities, and on the local United Way Web site and social networking sites – among other perks.

For more information, e-mail Rachel at rhoge@uw-mc.org.

South-Southwest Suburban United Way and CEDA  recently hosted the first annual Southland Human Services Summit Thursday at Oak Forest Hospital on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009. 

The half-day summit brought non-profit social service providers and business leaders together to discuss issues that are dramatically affecting the health and human services sector. The summit, which was free and open to the public, also allowed the opportunity to create positive solutions in response to the current funding crisis.

State Senator M. Maggie Crotty served as keynote speaker and discussed the importance of collaboration, the necessity for seeking external funding from private and Federal sources, and how the social service infrastructure in the Southland region can be sustained for the long-term. 

“Chicago’s Southland region continues to receive less than adequate government resources and funding to support our ever-expanding social and community need.  This summit provided the opportunity for agencies to come together to discern the pulse of our community and share creative ideas and strategies to move forward,” said James Washington, CPO, South-Southwest Suburban United Way.

Representatives from United Way, Mission Plus Strategy Consulting, the Donors Forum, Illinois Facilities Fund, Harris Bank and First Midwest Bank also shared their insights on the state budget impact, discussed partnerships and collaborations and shared creative financing strategies.  Jack Kaplan, Director, Public Policy and Advocacy at United Way of Metropolitan Chicago shared the results of United Way’s recent budget impact survey.

“More than 500 non-profits throughout the state responded to our survey and of those, 60% reported they are currently waiting on budgeted back payments from the government.  As we head into the next state budget cycle, it is important that non-profits have the information and resources available to make thoughtful decisions to sustain services and staff,” Kaplan told attendees.

The breakout sessions gave large multi-service agencies, youth service organizations, housing agencies, mental health and disabilities organizations and health care providers the chance to meet as part of a large network to discuss potential strategies to alleviate cash flow issues for each service area.  United Way and CEDA representatives moderated these groups.

“We have learned over the past year, the health and human services sector is unified and organized in our fight to serve those populations needing necessary services as they move toward self sufficiency.  CEDA are proud to work collaboratively across the sector to bring thoughtful leaders, politicians and activists together to discuss critical issues facing our region,” said Robert L. Wharton, president/CEO of CEDA.

Local food pantries lack resources to support growing demand of groceries

Economic hardship has affected millions of people from all walks of life, including those living in the North Shore area. Job cuts, medical bills, and the devastating housing market have led many local residents to seek the assistance from food pantries. Nationally in 2008, America’s Second Harvest reported an average 15-20% increase in the number of people turning to food pantries for help compared to the prior year. During the same time, New Trier Township alone has seen a 53% increase in the number of people requesting assistance.

The United Way of the North Shore, area food pantries, local businesses and volunteers have combined efforts to help residents in need by replenishing local food pantry shortages. As part of United Way’s Campaign Kick-Off week, you can make a difference by donating goods at local drop-off sites. Donated goods will be distributed among the New Trier Township Food Pantry, Morraine Township Food Pantry, Hemenway Church and the Salvation Army. United Way has set a goal to collect 10,000 pounds of food.

Collection boxes, donated by Pioneer Packaging, will be placed at local banks and businesses including:

• Harris Bank in Glencoe and Highland Park
• Coldwell-Banker in Glencoe, Highland Park, Northbrook, Evanston, Wilmette and Winnetka
• Northern Trust in Lake Forest, Highland Park, Glenview and Winnetka
• Evanston Libraries
• Evanston Civic Center
• Lake Bluff Public Library
• Sunset Foods in Highland Park
• National City Bank in Highland Park
• Bank of America in Highland Park
• Chase Bank in Highland Park
• United Way of the North Shore, at the Willow Hill Executive Offices

“While we can’t eradicate all of the need in our area, we can certainly make a difference. We are one community and we LIVE UNITED,” said Gary Von Glinow, Chief Professional Officer, United Way of the North Shore. “The time to give has never been greater and we hope as we launch our United Way campaign, that the 11 communities across the North Shore will come together to give, advocate and volunteer and contribute to our food drive October 3 through 10.”

For more information on how to participate, please call or e-mail United Way of the North Shore at (847) 999-2990 or uwnorthshore@uw-mc.org.

To make a donation or learn how you can become involved with the United Way in your community, please contact the United Way of the North Shore office at 847.999.2990 or visit the website at www.uwnorthshore.org.

United Way of the North Shore improves the lives of people in need by mobilizing the caring and financial power of communities. Serving the communities of Evanston, Wilmette, Winnetka, Northfield, Glencoe, Highwood, Highland Park, Fort Sheridan, Lake Forest and Lake Bluff, United Way of the North Shore engages local volunteers to work together to invest the time, leadership and resources to make long-lasting change, so that people can become independent.

Northwest Suburban United Way hosted the community’s second annual food drive to benefit more than 20 food pantries throughout the Northwest suburbs.  More than 65 companies, schools, villages and local businesses collected food during LIVE UNITED Week, September 21—25.  Last year’s drive collected more than 24,000 pounds of food, which served approximately 750 families throughout 29 communities Northwest Suburban United Way serves. This year’s food drive hopes to collect 30,000 pounds of food to serve approximately 900 families.
 
As children head back to school, food pantries are struggling.  Demand from local food pantries is higher than ever before. According to the Greater Good Depository, 39% of households who receive food include at least one employed adult and 33% of people served are children under the age of 18.  Click here to learn more about United Way.

The Northwest Suburban United Way Day at the Races will be held on August 22 from 12:30-4:30PM at the Arlington Park Race Track’s International Room. The proceeds from this event will directly benefit 29 communities that serve the Northwest region of United Way including: Arlington Heights, Bartlett, Buffalo Grove, Carpentersville, Des Plaines, East Dundee, Elk Grove Village, Gilberts, Hanover Park, Hoffman Esates, Inverness, Lincolnshire, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Mount Prospect, Niles, Palatine, Park Ridge, Prairie View, Prospect Heights, Rolling Meadows, Rosemont, Schaumburg, Skokie, Sleepy Hollow, Streamwood, West Dundee and Wheeling.

Guests will enjoy a great venue for a worthwhile cause, including a silent auction, wine raffle, split the pot raffle and a fancy hat and Hawaiian shirt contest. Sponsorships will include the “Winner’s Circle,” which include premium table seating and a winners circle group photo.

“Events like this help raise awareness and crucial resources to allow us to reach out and help those who need it most,” said Marcia McMahon, Chief Professional Officer for Northwest Suburban United Way. “When people become independent, we improve conditions for all of us in the community and truly LIVE UNITED.”

United Way provides leadership and resources to help people overcome life’s challenges and become self-sufficient. Over 120 programs at 77 health and human care agencies provide much-needed services to residents. United Way funds programs that target key issues such as income stability, education, health and crisis support.

To find out more about this event and how you can become involved with United Way in your community, please contact the Northwest Suburban United Way office at 847-768-1074 or visit the Northwest Suburban United Way Website.  

Dozens of children and their families made the trip to the Girls Scout Friendship Center in Country Club Hills on Friday, Feb. 20, to receive new winter coats, courtesy of Charming Shoppes (parent company of Lake Bryant). The company donated 150 coats to South- Southwest Suburban United Way to be distributed among clients of various agency programs throughout the South-Southwest region.
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Naperville United Way and United Way of the DuPage Area , and Far Northwest Suburban and Northwest Suburban United Ways Merge

Naperville United Way and United Way of the DuPage Area officially merged on October 1 to provide greater efficiency and more resources to help local residents. The new United Way of the DuPage Area is now 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 new United Way of the DuPage Area will invest more than $4.2 million in local health and human services programs in the coming year. Local volunteers will continue to determine where the funding should be directed based on the priority needs of the community.

With demographic 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.

In addition, Far Northwest Suburban United Way and Northwest Suburban United Way consolidated into one United Way on October 1, 2008. This decision was made by the volunteer leadership of both Member United Ways in order to better serve their communities and operate with greater efficiency. The consolidated organization name will be Northwest Suburban

United Way and will be led by a volunteer board chaired by Michael Abruzzini.

Naperville United Way and United Way of the DuPage Area will officially merge on October 1 to provide greater efficiency and more resources to help local residents. 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 new UWDA will invest more than $4.2 million in local health and human services programs in the coming year. Local volunteers will continue to determine where the funding should be directed based on the priority needs of the community.

With demographic 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.