Dear United Way Friends and Supporters,
As we look toward a new campaign season, we must all remember United Way of DuPage/West Cook’s (UWDWC) mission: to improve lives by mobilizing caring people to invest in the community where their resources are needed most.
A contribution to United Way is the most effective way to help people in those communities where it is most needed. Your dollars support a network of services that no one agency or program can provide independently. Currently, UWDWC funds more than 100 programs and has strong partnerships with a vast network of social service experts, scholars, residents, government, businesses and community leaders. Through these programs and partnerships, UWDWC creates opportunities for people to improve conditions in our communities by giving, advocating and volunteering to create change.
United Way works to advance the common good by focusing on three major areas– education, income and health.
- Education: Nearly two thirds of all entry-level jobs require some education beyond high school. By providing children with a safe environment to develop, support to stay in school and role models to develop life skills, United Way gives children the support they need to be prepared for and stay in school.
- Income: As many as one-third of working Americans do not earn enough money to meet their basic needs. By helping people become more financially literate, find and keep jobs, and generate savings, United Way creates opportunities and puts financial stability within the reach of people who seek to become self-sufficient.
- Health: Poor health negatively impacts every aspect of a person’s life. By providing access to health support and prevention programs, United Way decreases a person’s chance of developing disease and gives them practical help when they acquire health problems.
This year, UWDWC is focusing on the ever-increasing health and wellness needs in our region. Research shows that people living at or near the poverty level experience worse health outcomes and are more likely to die prematurely. UWDWC has convened a panel of health experts to work toward identifying ways to increase access to healthcare services in local communities and to provide the resources needed so people can take preventive measures to live healthy lives. In the coming year, UWDWC will focus its support on three components within the health and wellness field: response to crisis situations, prevention of chronic disease, and access to physical, mental and social health care.
Despite the economic turmoil and uncertainty of the past year, our community has mobilized and responded by investing more than $3.7 million into our programs. This coming year, in what may be an even tougher time, we truly need your support, as those who need help aren’t just the chronically disadvantaged. Please give what you can to change lives as programs now depend on United Way more than ever. Your support in past campaigns has been truly appreciated and your sustained support will be what continues to make a difference in the lives of people in our community this coming year.
Sincerely,
Jerry Broz
2009/2010 United Way of the DuPage/West Cook Board President
Give to United Way of DuPage/West Cook
Checks payable to United Way may be mailed to:
United Way of the DuPage/West Cook
P.O. Box 5317
Oak Brook, IL 60522
Follow DuPage-West Cook!