Helping children in Northwest Illinois grow through early learning, books, mentoring and community connections.
Every child deserves a strong beginning.
A book arriving in the mail. A place to learn through play. An adult who encourages a young person to lead. United Way of Northwest Illinois supports opportunities like these across Stephenson, Jo Daviess and Carroll counties.
Opportunity starts close to home
$126,200
Invested in youth opportunity in 2024–2025
261,504
Imagination Library books sent since 2016, as reported in 2024–2025
UWNI’s 2024–2025 Impact Report describes investment in early learning, literacy and community partnerships. Working with the Early Childhood Consortium and local organizations, UWNI supported child care spaces for families with low incomes and opportunities for children to learn from an early age.
Access to child care connects a child’s development with a family’s everyday needs. A supportive learning environment gives children room to grow while helping parents and caregivers balance work and family responsibilities.
One delivery. Another discovery.
A love of reading, shared at home
Through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, enrolled children receive a free, age-appropriate book each month from birth until their fifth birthday. UWNI’s report listed 3,158 program graduates in Stephenson County, 1,496 in Jo Daviess County and 574 in Carroll County. These figures were not identified as annual graduation totals.
90%
of responding families reported more time reading with their child
60%
reported increased interest in reading
97%
said the program increased book variety at home
Behind those responses are everyday moments: opening a package, choosing a story and sitting down together. Local support helps make books part of family life throughout our three-county community.
Explore the Imagination Library and registration information
Beyond the classroom
Places to explore. Opportunities to lead.
Learning along the trail
UWNI’s Born Learning Trail in Shannon was described in its 2024–2025 report as its third installation. The trail features 10 interactive signs with activities that help adults and children turn an outdoor visit into a shared learning experience.
Volunteers creating opportunities
Documented past Day of Action projects include installing a Born Learning Trail at King Community Campus, improving the campus playground and sorting books for Little Free Libraries. These projects connect volunteer service with the places and materials children use to learn.
Encouraging young leaders
Girls Who Rock Pearls at Freeport Middle School brought together UWNI, Freeport School District 145 and VOICES. The collaboration focuses on positive development and leadership. PEARLS stands for Positive, Empowerment, Awareness, Respect, Leadership and Success.
Find a starting point for your family
Explore early childhood resources by county, or use the regional directory to search for organizations, services and support.
A community of early childhood connections
UWNI’s early childhood resource network includes the organizations below. Visit each organization for its programs, eligibility and current availability.
Early childhood education and care have been identified as priority areas for our local collaboration.
This is why United Way partners with many different agencies and organizations to work towards preparing
children for kindergarten, reading at grade level, graduating high school, and pursuing their
educational and vocational goals. United Way's model focuses on supportive communities,
effective schools, and strong families, strategies and approaches rooted in research.
Tackling the education challenge requires reframing education and care starting at birth.
High-quality early childhood education and care lay the foundations for later success in terms of
education, well-being, employability, and social integration.
This care includes daycares, as well as private and public preschool and pre-primary schools.
Ensuring the provision of high-quality early childhood education and care is an efficient and
effective investment in education and training.
It is especially important for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
We believe every child has the right to affordable and high-quality early childhood education and care.
Educational attainment should be decoupled from social, economic and cultural status.
The United Way has identified several key components for an effective system:
- access to early childhood education and care
- training and needs of staff in charge of early childhood education and care
- definition of appropriate curriculum
- governance and funding
- monitoring and evaluation of systems
Search for Regional Early Childhood Resources by organization, area, age and more here:
We are so fortunate to have a wonderful network of local early childhood education and care partners:
Resources by County
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Family Services
Childcare Assistance
Provider Services
Community Services
