United Way Northwest Illinois Improves Lives Through Community Impact
United Way Northwest Illinois improves lives by uniting people, partners and resources to tackle our region's most pressing challenges in Youth Opportunities, Financial Security, Healthy Communities, and basic needs. We work together to improve the quality of life in Carroll, Stephenson and Jo Daviess Counties.
How United Way Northwest Illinois Improves Lives
In the past three years United Way has moved towards the community impact model and has supported our partner agencies in collaborating and utilizing resources in a more cost effective and impactful way.
We are focused on ensuring that all children have access to an equal education, are kindergarten ready and are reading at grade level by third grade. Additionally though our Financial Security and Healthy Communities impact areas we are supporting financial success and healthy living in our community.
We are the critical link which brings together our diverse communities to build stronger, healthier and more sustainable communities as cost effectively as possible. To improve conditions in our communities and make the greatest impact, United Way recognizes we need to look at the underlying issues that create problems. Only when we begin to tackle issues together can we achieve results.
United Way’s Focus Now Is Two-Fold
Support the Safety Net
Ensure our most vulnerable neighbors have access to food, shelter, safety and essential services.
Prevent Crisis Before It Happens
Invest in programs and initiates that address the root causes, so fewer people reach crisis points in the first place.
While “the poor will always be with us” it would be wrong not to do everything we can to try to significantly reduce the number of people who struggle to meet their basic needs. We do this in partnership with health and human service agencies, the business community, local government, school and neighborhood organizations.
In the past, United Way’s primary role in the community was to meet a fundraising goal each year. That was our “end." Today, our fundraising efforts are a means to an end. Our primary role now is to create opportunities for a better life for all. When we do that, with your help, everybody wins and we all experience what it truly means to live united.
From Fundraiser to Community Problem Solver
United Way Northwest Illinois improves lives by serving as a key player in community problem solving as it relates to issues impacting Youth Opportunities and Financial Security. Previously, we were seen primarily as a fundraiser. United Way has become involved with several collaborative initiatives that strengthen our community as a whole and tackle the root cause of some of our community issues.
Examples of Our Youth Opportunities Work
- Imagination Library & early literacy: Over 2,200 children have received more than 32,000 books, building vocabulary, school readiness, and a love of reading.
- Kindergarten readiness: Hundreds of preschool students are taught and assessed using shared tools and standards so that all children enter kindergarten ready to learn.
- Reading by third grade: Volunteer-driven mentoring and literacy programs help students reach grade-level reading by third grade, setting them up for future success.
Our Youth Opportunities initiative, the "It Takes a Village" volunteer mentoring program is helping students learn to read by 3rd grade. We have over 800 preschool students being taught and tested under the same program so that all of our children are kindergarten ready.
Since launching the early childhood literacy initiative in Jo Daviess County, over 2000 children in Stephenson and Jo Daviess Counties have registered. This program provides an age-appropriate book on a monthly basis for children from birth to 5 years of age. Research indicates that delivering books by mail to children increases their vocabulary, increases their excitement and interest in reading, and increases the time spent reading to children. These factors improve a child's overall preparation for school.
With the Illinois State budget crisis, United Way also provided critical funding to early childhood programs and collaborations that were in dire straits. The United Way understands that if we are going to obtain the educational outcomes we strive for in our community, that the work begins when children are very young. We also increased usage of our "Ticket to Read" platform that is available to schools, after-school programs, and parents to assist their children in phonics and comprehension skills. This platform is collaborative as it allows multiple agencies to utilize the same platform and measure results collectively. These are just a few examples of the work that the United Way conducts in our local community.
Early Childhood Literacy
In its third year, our partnership with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library has provided one book each month to children from birth to 5 years old. 85% of brain development happens before age 3.
Children who are read to, from an early age, have increased vocabulary and pre-literacy skills that give them an advantage upon entering kindergarten.
- 60% of families spend more time reading with their child.
- 90% of families report increased interest in reading.
- 97% say the program increased the variety of books available at home.
Our Impact Areas
The United Way of Northwest Illinois focuses in three impact areas:
- Youth Opportunities
- Financial Security
- Healthy Communities
Reviewing local data and research we have determined that early childhood education (specifically early grade level reading) and reducing barriers to employment are priority issues. Our United Way looks for examples of best practices and utilizes local data from individuals, employers, and third party sources to determine the issues impacting our local communities. In response we have launched several new initiatives that impact both Youth Opportunities and Financial Security. These initiatives are in addition to the critical funding we already provide to our partner agencies.
Reducing Barriers to Employment
In the Financial Security impact area, the United Way of Northwest Illinois is also working to reduce barriers to employment. The United Way utilized survey information and data from local employers and job seekers to determine the highest priority barriers in our local community. In 2017 and in response to the community survey, we implemented a transportation initiative in partnership with a local manufacturer that provided free transportation to and from work. Because we were able to initiate this initiative and partnership, individuals who normally struggled with obtaining and maintaining employment due to transportation barriers were able to start work, and are maintaining their employment.
The United Way has also invested in different opportunities to increase the skill level of our local workforce. We are funding an initiative with all school districts in our area to provide connections between students and employers based on the students completion of a career assessment. Students are able to "match up" with an employer to job shadow, mock interview with and even intern with to see if the career is the right match for the student.
United Way plays a critical role in building "bridges" between employers and social service agencies which makes our communities stronger and more vital. We target individuals 18-60 (mainly low-income individuals and individuals with disabilities) and are experiencing a barrier in finding gainful employment.
Supporting Health and Well-Being
Additionally, we continue to invest in our Healthy Communities impact area, supporting agencies that provide access to healthcare, mental-health services, crisis intervention, and programs that strengthen overall well-being in our region. Through 211, residents now have 24/7 access to health and crisis resources, connecting thousands of individuals each year to services such as counseling, addiction support, medical assistance, and emergency shelter. Community Impact grants also help fund local organizations that deliver chronic disease management, preventive health education, and programs that promote safe and healthy living environments for individuals and families.
Age Group
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| Age Group | Percent of Total |
|---|---|
| Infants & Toddlers (Birth–5) | 32% |
| Elementary & Middle School (K–8) | 12% |
| High School (9–12) | 10% |
| Two-Year Community College | 2% |
| Adults (18–64, excluding college students) | 10% |
| Senior Citizens (65+) | 34% |
Ethnicity
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| Ethnicity | Percent of Total |
|---|---|
| African American | 32% |
| Caucasian | 65% |
| Hispanic/Latino | 2% |
| Native American | 1% |
Live United
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