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. 

The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) National Food Drive is the largest annual one-day effort to combat hunger in the United States. Every year, millions of families, letter carriers and other postal employees, and volunteers do their part on this day to provide millions of pounds of food to those most in need. Last year, nearly 75 million pounds of food were collected in one day and donated to food banks, pantries and shelters across the country.

The 2012 NALC National Food Drive is Saturday, May 12, 2012!

It’s EASY to participate! Place non-perishable food products in a bag, leave at your mailbox on Saturday, May 12 and your letter carrier will pick up and deliver to local food banks or pantries.

There is no better time than the NALC National Food Drive to show our appreciation for the important partnership between United Way and the NALC. This partnership is a prime example of how we work together with organized labor to advance the common good in communities throughout the United States. We have benefited greatly from this decades-long partnership, and are grateful for the support it brings us through gifts, volunteers and more.

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

A view of the finish line from the Club Box

Submitted on behalf of Andrew Steele, Major Gifts Officer at South-Southwest Suburban United Way. 

On Sunday, April 29, 2012, over one hundred people attended the ‘Night at the Races’ event, hosted by South-Southwest Suburban United Way. People from throughout the Southland region spent an evening with friends and family at Balmoral Park Racetrack, in Crete, IL. Attendees enjoyed a buffet dinner, raffles and numerous horse races from the club box overlooking the track. The proceeds from the event support United Way’s LIVE UNITED 2020 goals, focusing on Income, Education and Health.

In attendance were United Way of Metropolitan Chicago’s President & CEO, Wendy DuBoe and Vice President of Operations, Joe Vanyo. Ms. Duboe addressed the crowd and laid out the LIVE UNITED 2020 goals, vision and hopes for the Southland region.

The evening was capped off with raffle prizes including a day with the chef at Tin Fish, a wine tasting for four at Coopers Hawk Winery and Restaurant, and two dinner tickets to SSW’s 4th Annual Golf Classic Celebration. People enjoyed the friendly atmosphere and excitement from the races and other activities throughout the evening. The event was not only a great time for family and friends to connect, but served as a wonderful networking opportunity.

The next exciting event hosted by South-Southwest Suburban United Way is their 4th annual Golf Classic Celebration, on June 18 at Glenwoodie Golf Club. For more information please contact Jessica Plechaty at 708-371-1328 ext. 11.

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.

Last night, United Way recognized Illinois Tool Works (ITW) with a Summit award for philanthropic engagement. ITW and its employees raised $11.4 million for United Way, including a generous dollar-for-dollar match plus an enhanced match available to incent participation and leadership giving.

“United Way is proud of its longstanding partnership with ITW. Together, we’ve been able to create opportunities for our communities for more than 50 years,” said Brian Gallagher, United Way Worldwide president and CEO. “ITW and its employees understand the importance of strengthening local communities. Their continued leadership and generosity has allowed us to improve countless lives.”

Volunteer efforts are also an integral part of the company’s commitment to communities, starting with ITW Chairman and CEO David Speer serving on United Way of Metropolitan Chicago’s Board plus a loaned ITW executive providing skilled volunteerism. Additionally, during the pilot phase of ITW’s new volunteer program, ITW employees volunteered 3,598 hours to United Way and its partners which the company matched with $10/hour. Nearly half of all the company’s business units provided at least one campaign volunteer event.

To provide real-world opportunities for young people and encourage innovation, ITW’s annual United Way educational video is created collaboratively by local high school students, area Boys and Girls Club youth and a nonprofit creative arts foundation.

The Spirit of America and Summit Awards program, celebrating its 25th year, is United Way’s highest national honor for corporations, recognizing United Way Global Corporate Leaders with the most comprehensive commitments to strengthening communities. Applicants are evaluated by corporate peers and local United Ways. Join the conversation on Twitter using hash tag #SpiritofAmerica or visit unitedway.org/SOA.

YLS Members helping paint a mural at Catalyst Howland Charter School

Post submitted on behalf of Annie Smith, BMO Harris Bank and YLS Executive Committee Member.

Approximately 25 volunteers from United Way’s Young Leaders Society came out on April 21 to support Comcast Cares Day 2012 at Catalyst Howland Charter School. Together with United Way, over 300 volunteers from Comcast, City Year and other Chicago-based organizations came together to beautify the North Lawndale school by painting murals, landscaping and constructing storage units. Volunteers started their day with energizing stretching exercises led by a very enthusiastic City Year team. After stretching and hearing from community and school organizers, volunteers were organized into teams of 10-15 and shown to their projects.

I had the opportunity to work on a mural for the “College Bound” program on the first floor of Howland Community Charter School, a program designed to prepare students for admission and graduation from four-year institutions of higher education. Other volunteers worked on paiting portraits of the President and First Lady, quotes by influential Americans or bright, cheerful landscapes. Everyone who volunteered put their best creative foot forward and by the end of the day, the school looked fantastic. Due to the organization and attitudes of all who volunteered that day, I am definitely looking forward to volunteering with the same group next year!