Ah, the plight of being a young professional. What is your next career move? When will everyone stop asking you about your 5 and 10 year plans? How do you balance work and personal life? How do you get involved in your community?

While we may not be able to answer all of these questions for you, our goal is to get you one step closer. Northwest Suburban United Way recently launched the affinity group, Young Leaders Society (YLS), in conjunction with YLS of United Way of Metropolitan Chicago. While our original intentions were to provide volunteer and social opportunities in the suburbs, we quickly learned the larger need lies within providing professional development and networking opportunities. Young professionals want to learn how to advance their career and what it’s like to serve on a non-profit board.

As we build our membership and initiatives, we are looking for young professionals who live or work in the northwest suburbs and are interested in joining other like-minded people every once in awhile… because sometimes you may not have all the answers, but its helpful to know you aren’t the only one with questions.

If you want to learn more, connect with us; there is no financial commitment required to join YLS. We encourage you to come to our next event at Tokio Pub in Schaumburg on May 24. We will have an extended happy hour from 5:30-7:30pm where you can enjoy complimentary sushi and hear from a fascinating young professional who also serves as Vice President on the Northwest Suburban United Way Board. Paul Gallagher is a Partner at Deloitte & Touche LLP and splits his time between city and suburban offices. Paul spent time abroad working for Deloitte in Japan and will briefly share his career & non-profit experiences during happy hour.

What better way to enjoy the quandaries of being a young professional than to have some free food and drinks while mingling with your colleagues? We hope to see you May 24.

Submitted on behalf of Nikki Morton, Development Manager Corporate & Direct Mail at Northwest Suburban United Way. 

On Saturday, May 5, United Way of DuPage/West Cook held its third annual LIVE UNITED 5K Run/Walk at Cantigny Park in Wheaton. Kellogg Company, UWDWC’s top corporate citizen, was again the title sponsor of the event, and we were thrilled to have Tony the Tiger make an appearance!

I’ve run a fair number of 5Ks in my life, but actually planning and managing a race is a very different experience. What makes races special are the people – those who sponsor it, those who plan it, those who volunteer to make everything happen that morning, and those who run and walk it. People have many reasons to participate in races – to exercise, to enjoy a nice park or neighborhood trail, to support a social cause, to be part of a team of colleagues or friends, and many others. For some, it’s the first time they have walked or ran a 5K, and the determination to finish and the joy after crossing the finish line are truly inspiring.

I hope this was a memorable race for our participants. I’ll bet people will remember the nice weather, the beautiful gardens and old WWI tanks at Cantigny, or the wild turkeys you could hear gobbling along the course. They may remember their finish time, and they may post a picture of their family or team together with Tony the Tiger on Facebook (I sure did!). I hope they’ll remember the reason this race was created – to support United Way of DuPage/West Cook’s Southeast DuPage Health Initiative, a free clinic and medical home in Westmont for uninsured adults.

I had a great time. Congratulations to everyone who placed; congratulations to our biggest team, OfficeMax; congratulations to all our first-time 5K participants; and THANK YOU to all our volunteers and sponsors, especially Kellogg Company. You all LIVE UNITED and are our inspiration.

Submitted on behalf of Esther Hicks, Director of Community Investment at United Way of DuPage/West Cook 

North Shore United Way, Northwest Suburban United Way and United Way of Metropolitan Chicago are proud to partner with the City of Evanston in the upcoming Financial Advancement Summit on Wednesday, May 16. The summit will bring together financial institutions, non-profits, government representatives and private citiznes to focus on solutions for Evanston residents who are “underbanked” and discuss next steps for economic empowerment work in the community.

Alderman Peter Braithwaite and Jane Grover will open and close the event. Other keynote speakers include:
- Dr. Robert Mayer, Loyola University,
- Annette Charles, United Way of Metropolitan Chicago
- Lucy Mullany, The Illinois Asset Building Group

Each speaker sessions will be followed by discussion to identify solutions to important financial issues facing our community. The Financial Advancement Summit is FREE and open to the general public. For event and RSVP details, click here.

Solutions to these financial issues are crucial to providing opportunities for families in Evanston – but the issues can also be confusing and complicated.

What does it mean to be “underbanked”?
People (or businesses) who are underbanked have poor access to mainstream financial services. Obstacles towards banking include geography, financial literacy (understanding), language and other socioeconomic conditions that make it difficult to participate. Many families who are underbanked must use alternative financial services (including cheque cashers which charge individuals to cash their paycheck).

Why is being “banked” important?
In addition to fortifying the financial stability of your family, banking will become increasingly important due to recent decisions by the US Department of the Treasure. The U.S. Treasury is requiring all citizens receiving Federal Benefit checks to switch from paper checks to electronic payments by March 1, 2013. Citizens can receive their money through direct deposit to a bank or credit union (or opt to receive a Direct Express Debit MasterCard). In either case, understanding the issues around banking is key to receiving your benefits in a way that fits your life. Find out more information about this issue.

United Way is committed to promoting and investing in financial stability programs and strengthening communities through income initiatives. Financial stability is a key building block of good life and strong families. LIVE UNITED 2020, United Way’s 10-year vision to transform communities of greatest need, focuses on health, education and income.

This Summit allows industry leaders, nonprofits, government representatives and private citizens to consider the next steps in local banking in Chicagoland.

Highland Park, a North Shore United Way (NSUW) Partner Community (together with Highwood), has a lot to celebrate. A small hamlet, Highland Park is a beautiful lakefront community, home to 30,000 residents, 850 businesses and world-class musical and cultural opportunities.

But as many Highland Park neighbors and friends know, success and challenges go hand-in-hand. North Shore’s highest poverty rates are in neighboring Highwood, where nearly 1 in 4 families with children live in poverty. In Highland Park, the cost of living is 50% higher than the national average. Families experiencing set-backs (including job loss, medical emergencies and sustainability in a difficult economy) find themselves struggling that much more against higher day-to-day living expenses.

NSUW is joining with Highland Park. The city has been selected as a United Way Partner Community in our bold vision, LIVE UNITED 2020. LIVE UNITED 2020 is United Way’s 10-year vision to channel income, education and health resources into communities of greatest need. Together, we’re fighting at the root causes of poverty and creating better lives for all.

Join us at Potbelly Sandwich Shop in our Partner Community, Highland Park, on Thursday, May 17 between 4pm and 7pm. 25% of dinner-time sales will support LIVE UNITED 2020 and our Partner Communities on the North Shore.

NSUW is excited to host this great event at Potbelly Sandwich Shop, a business which knows how new services can mean growth and success. Potbelly’s genesis was not in the restaurant industry – but the world of antique dealings. In 1977, a nice young couple decided that they could draw more customers to their antique shop by offering sandwiches. Soon enough, guests were forgetting the old, and coming to the shop for food and desserts. Today, more than 200 shops across the country bring neighborhoods together.

Help NSUW bring great services to Highland Park (and enjoy a delicious sandwich in the bargain!) See you at Potbelly in Highland Park on May 17!

Submitted on behalf of Mary Teeter, Development Manager at North Shore United Way

Photo Credit: Kim Kruse

Submitted on behalf of Grant Myatt, Communications Intern at United Way of Metropolitan Chicago.

About 46% of students enter school without the skills they need to learn. In an effort to help prepare students for the classroom, Northwest Suburban United Way is launching the Born Learning Trail in Skokie on Wednesday, May 9.

The Born Learning Trail is a series of outdoor learning activities that any adult can play with young children to help prepare them to enter school. The activities promote language, pre-literacy skills and motor skills in an interactive, fun setting. The activities also help show adults how to approach early learning through engaging activities. The Born Learning Trail connects the community with opportunities for early childhood learning and spreads awareness of the importance.

One activity, Watch! Stop! Learn! Play! encourages the caregiver to follow the child’s lead, building the child’s curiosity and confidence and reinforcing learning. Similarly, Imagine! Create! Pretend! encourages interactive storytelling, building a child’s ability to imagine and listen.

Studies have indicated that low-income children can begin kindergarten up to two years behind other students. Research from United Way Worldwide indicates that lack of time and knowledge about how to best prepare their children for school are common issues. The Born Learning Trail aligns closely with United Way’s goals to provide students with the skills they need for school to excel.

United Way of Metropolitan Chicago’s LIVE UNITED 2020 education initiative is working to help 50,000 underperforming middle school kids enter high school ready to succeed. Since 46% of students enter school without the skills they need to learn, the Born Learning Trail is ideal to provide learning opportunities to children and families and prepare all students to succeed in the classroom.

The Born Learning Trail is being made possible with the help from NorthShore University HealthSystem Skokie Hospital, Skokie Park District and others. It is located at Devonshire Park in Skokie and open daily until 10 p.m.

Photo Credit: ClarkMaxwell

Submitted on behalf of Ella Lambrix, Kellogg Company. 

Kellogg Company is proud to sponsor the United Way LIVE UNITED 5k. This event is an excellent way for our Kellogg teams in the Chicagoland area to get involved with the organization beyond our annual campaign.

Our company’s vision is to “to enrich and delight the world through foods and brands that matter.” We enrich lives not only through our brands, but through our involvement in our communities.

We look forward to the excitement of race day and continuing to support the LIVE UNITED 2020 vision.

Submitted on behalf of Laura Olson, Fundraising Manager at United Way of DuPage/West Cook.

You may have heard United Way reference the term “the line that connects” when talking about the work that we do. The premise behind this is bringing together needs and available resources in the community. Because of the conversations United Way is involved in throughout the community, we were able to do just that.

Kellogg Company, United Way of DuPage/West Cook’s top corporate partner, came to us with a service that their summer Information Technology (IT) interns would be willing to offer to a non-profit agency in need of technical assistance. United Way staff were able to match them up with the DuPage Federation on Human Service Reform, who requested that the Kellogg IT interns work with them on their online training capabilities. In addition to several other programs, the DuPage Federation offers training on veterans affairs. They wanted an easier way folks could access the information and make the training more user-friendly. The Kellogg IT interns were able to take a training manual and convert it into a comprehensive, interactive program. The program was transformed into an online training module complete with instruction levels, voice-overs, interactive examples, and end-of-level quizzes to test the knowledge the participants had just learned. It made the work for everyone involved in the training and certification processes easier and more enjoyable.

The Kellogg IT interns, with supervision and guidance from Kellogg IT staff, were able to gain valuable technical and project management experience while helping a local community organization.

As a result of the fantastic efforts of the team, Kellogg was nominated and has been named a 2012 Computerworld Honors Laureate. The Computerworld awards process evaluates the humanitarian benefits and measurable results of applying technology to meet a specific social need.

On behalf of United Way of DuPage/West Cook and The DuPage Federation on Human Service Reform, we thank Kellogg Company for their commitment to the community. We are proud of the work that was able to be accomplished. Thank you for being a part of “the line that connects.”

This project was a perfect example of the skills-based volunteerism that United Way would like to realize at many of our partner organizations. Many individuals and companies out there have special skills such as technical, financial or leadership skills that they could offer to non-profit organizations who would not otherwise be able to afford such services. If you have a special skill or service and would like to volunteer, please contact Carrie Newton.

Posted on behalf of Marion Flynn, Development Manager at North Shore United Way. 

This Friday, April 27,  North Shore United Way will be participating in an important community event with the YWCA Evanston/North Shore.  All individuals are being called on to take a bold Stand Against Racism by lining Ridge Avenue in Evanston from Howard Street to Wilmette from 12:45 to 12:55.

“The persistence and pervasiveness of racism divides our community and creates disparities in education, healthcare, economics and other institutions affecting the quality of life,” stated Karen Singer, CEO of the YWCA Evanston/North Shore. “Our strength comes from numbers – that’s why we are asking people to come out and join any of the 35 organizations that have partnered with us!”

According to Eileen Heineman, Racial Justice Program Manager at the YWCA Evanston/North Shore, over 35 local organizations have already signed on to participate in the Stand, including Evanston Community Foundation, Oakton School, St. Francis Hospital, St. Nicholas Parish, North Shore United Way, Childcare Center of Evanston, Second Baptist Church, Pope John XXIII School, Washington School, Unitarian Church of Evanston, Evanston Coalition for Latino Resources, Interfaith Action of Evanston, the City of Evanston, various groups from ETHS, Immigrant Advocacy Project, Sojourner Covenant Church, Lake Street Church, St Mark’s Episcopal, St. Paul’s Lutheran, Evanston History Center, the Flying Fish Swim Team, Evanston Quaker Meeting, Baker Demonstration School, Evanston Area Black Catholics, PeaceAble Cities Evanston, Roycemore School, Evanston Public Library, Omega Pi Ps Fraternity and various student groups at Northwestern University. Says Heineman, “the Civic Center will empty and line Ridge on their block, and we hope to have a small band group from ETHS playing there as well.”

See the entire Triblocal article.

Photo Credit: Christian Guthier

Post submitted on behalf of Grant Myatt, Communications Intern at United Way of Metropolitan Chicago. 

Tax season is over, although, money is something always on the mind. Money Smart Week from April 21-28 is a great opportunity to relieve some stress and learn more about money management.

This year’s Money Smart Week celebrates 10 years of helping citizens improve their financial literacy and education. The program provides a series of free classes and activities to help consumers better manage their personal finances. The event, organized by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, began in 2002 and now partners with the American Library Association to bring classes to more than 30 states. Class topics range from Credit & Debt Management to Teens & Money and are free to attend.

United Way of DuPage/West Cook is proud to be involved with Money Smart Week again by offering two classes about financial education. In Westmont, The Southeast DuPage Health Initiative will host a Personal Financing 101 and Budgeting class on Monday, April 23. The class will take place from 5-6:30 p.m. in both English and Spanish. Presented by First Midwest Bank, the class is designed for those looking to understand their financial position and how to achieve financial success, money management advice and individual evaluation.

In partnership with BMO Harris, the second class on Thursday, April 26 will take place at Outreach Community Ministries, one of United Way’s partner organizations. Representatives from BMO Harris will present their “Get Real” program for teenagers.

United Way’s CEO, Wendy DuBoe, will also present as the keynote speaker at the Money Smart Week Kick-off Breakfast Monday April 23 at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. For more information, check out the calendar of events for Money Smart Week 2012.

Like many individuals in my generation, I start my day by checking what my friends are doing on Facebook. Usually there’s nothing much going on, however, this morning I came across something a little unsettling. An individual I went to grade school with posted a picture of a car that had a back seat full of bags. Her posting this photo was out of disapproval towards two elder gentleman that she believed lived in this car full of bags. Another individual responded to this in a similar fashion, commenting that “you’re bound to see a lot more of that kind of stuff.”

At first I was angry at her reaction; how did she know they were homeless? The more I thought about it, and I actually went back and looked at the picture and comments again, I was saddened by her (and others’) reactions. How could they be so disapproving of these two gentlemen? Then I realized that I’m probably coming from a very different perspective than they are.

This “friend” and I both grew up in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago, a place that is not known to have a homeless population, but in fact does. Since I’ve been working at United Way, I’ve learned a lot about the needs in our community and homelessness is one of the biggest issues. According to Journeys from PADS to HOPE (a United Way Partner Agency that serves those that are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless) there are 1,200 homeless people in shelters across the Northwest Suburbs and an additional 400 homeless people living on the streets, in the forest preserves, and yes, in their cars.

In addition to working with great agencies, I take a lot of the calls for help that come into our office every day, many for rental or mortgage assistance because they are facing foreclosure or eviction. Homelessness is a real problem in our community, even if it is not visible on a daily basis.

United Way understands the immediate crisis needs that affect our communities every day. United Way of Metropolitan Chicago’s 10 year vision – LIVE UNITED 2020 – not only focuses on income, education and health, but continues to support immediate needs of the people in our community. In fact, United Way will answer the immediate crisis needs of 1 million people across the Chicago region every year by providing shelter, food and freedom from violence.

What if my “friend” understood the needs in our community? Would she still have been that appalled that these gentlemen were living in their car? Or would she have wanted to reach out to an organization, like United Way, that provides much needed resources to the community to help with some of the needs our neighbors have?

Photo Credit: KLW NFC