United Way of the DuPage Area’s Inaugural LIVE UNITED 5k Run/Walk will be held on Saturday, May 8, 2010, beginning at 8 AM at Cantigny Park in Wheaton, IL. To learn more about the event and to register, please visit our LIVE UNITED 5k webpage.

United Way of the DuPage Area’s Women’s Leadership Council is gearing up for our next “Women Who LIVE UNITED” volunteer day! We are coming together and lending a hand to the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and NW Indiana.

When is it?: Saturday, March 20, 2010 from 9AM until 12 Noon.

What is it?: A hands-on project to benefit the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and NW Indiana.

Why are we doing this project?: In addition to being a United Way partner agency, the Girl Scouts work to build personal growth and leadership development in thousands of girls throughout the DuPage area. They are in need of volunteers to tidy up camp sites in preparation for spring camping activities and summer camps.

What will we be doing?: Our hearty, yet fun and family-friendly tasks will include painting, cleaning, raking, chipping trails, splitting wood, etc.

Please consider joining us as we roll up our sleeves to benefit the Girl Scouts. It is almost guaranteed that when a group of women come together and volunteer for a worthy cause, it will result in a fun and fulfilling experience. Join us and see! School-aged children are welcome.

To RSVP for this volunteer opportunity, please contact Esther Hicks at esther.hicks@uw-mc.org or 630-645-6333.

Join the DuPage County forward Coalition for a fun filled day of healthy eating and activities to promote a healthy lifestyle.

March 13th
10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Whole Foods Wheaton

Menu for the day includes:

• Healthy food samples
• Chair massages, karate demonstrations and a mini boot camp
• Try out Wii fitness
• Go, slow and whoa activities
• Prizes and more
• At Noon meet the Biggest Loser couple- Jerry and Estella Hayes and the new forward Student Health Champions
• Northern Illinois Food Bank donation trunk will be onsite to accept donations

Please take a look at the flyer for contact information and more details.

Illinois Rescue & Restore and DuPage Federation on Human Services Reform invite you to attend a Trafficking Victim Outreach Volunteer Training taking place on Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 6:00 pm.

The training will last about an hour and will take place at Fonda Isabel Restaurant located at 18 W 333 Roosevelt Road in Lombard. Refreshments will be served and dinner options will be available at reduced cost.

As part of local efforts to combat human trafficking, the DuPage Federation on Human Services Reform is partnering with Illinois Rescue & Restore to conduct trafficking victim outreach in the counties of Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will. Volunteers will assist in the distribution of discreet outreach materials to vulnerable populations throughout these counties.

An anti-trafficking expert from the International Organization for Adolescents (IOFA) will educate volunteers on the basics of human trafficking (including child exploitation, sex trafficking, and labor trafficking), victim identification, victim outreach strategies, and safety issues.

Read this flyer for more information – Please invite your friends, family, and co-workers to help combat human trafficking in your community!

Contact Amy Snodgrass to RSVP or for additional information: (630) 782-4783 or asnodgrass@dupagefederation.org.

If you meet general low income requirements, you should be able to take advantage of several free tax preparation services in the DuPage area. Ladder Up (formerly TAP) has one location in Villa Park and several just outside of DuPage County (including Aurora and Plainfield). You can view their eligibility requirements, locations and hours here. The Center for Economic Progress (CEP) also has several locations right outside of DuPage, including Aurora. You can view their eligibility requirements, locations and hours here.

You can help support recovery efforts by making a donation to the United Way Worldwide Disaster Fund. Gifts to the Disaster Fund support recovery and long-term rebuilding needs of the devastated Haitian communities.

Here’s how you can give to United Way Worldwide’s Disaster Fund.

• Give Now Online
• Write a check
  Checks can be made out to United Way and mailed to
  United Way Worldwide
  P.O. Box 630568
  Baltimore, MD 21263-0568.
  The memo line should include “United Way Disaster Recovery Fund.”
• Donate by calling 1-866-404-5826
• Text to Give
  You can make a $5 donation by texting HAITI to 864833 (UNITED). Standard text messaging rates apply.

Since the devastating earthquake in Haiti on January 12, United Way has rallied to support those in need. United Way Worldwide’s members in the Caribbean region have mobilized their staff, volunteer leaders, partners and resources in response to this disaster, and will help to determine the most pressing long-term recovery needs, such as access to health care, rebuilding schools and housing, and meeting critical basic needs for shelter, food and clothing.

For more information about United Way’s response in Haiti, click here.

For more information about United Way’s long-term recovery in disasters around the world, click here.

Please take a look at our new Agency Spotlight on Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana and our new Campaign Leader Spotlight on Patricia Diya of Acxiom Corporation.

Start the new year right and get your GED!

Spring Session will be held at the DuPage PADS Support Center: 705 W Liberty, Wheaton, IL, 60187

Register Now By Taking The TABE Test. Classes start on 01/13/2010 and tuition is free.

Step 1. Register NOW at the DuPage PADS Support Center.

Step 2. Take the TABE Reading and Math tests to determine your correct course level. Call for details 630-682-8567 X 247.

Step 3. Attend group classes taught by College of DuPage Staff at the Support Center starting January 20, 2010.

DuPage PADS Spring 2010 GED Flyer

United Way of the DuPage Area’s Women’s Leadership Council would like to thank everyone who attended the Kickoff luncheon on November 12, 2009. Over 50 women were in attendance and all enjoyed a healthy meal and cooking demonstration provided by College of DuPage’s Hospitality Administration department.

UWDA’s Chief Professional Officer, Christine Lewis, gave an overview of United Way’s work in the community and shared some compelling statistics about our region that truly demonstrated the increasing needs in the DuPage area. Women’s Leadership Council member Natasha Bonomo shared why supporting United Way is important to her and how the Council will work to shine a light on health and human service needs and how the members will work together to help meet these increasing needs.

Over the next year, the Women’s Leadership Council will be offering volunteer and educational opportunities throughout the DuPage area, while making long-term plans that will guide the Women’s Leadership Council into the future.

If you would like to be a part of what we are doing, please visit the Women’s Leadership Council section of our website and contact Christine Lewis at clewis@uw-mc.org or 630-645-6352.

*A special thank you to Trader Joe’s of Downers Grove and Glen Ellyn for providing beautiful floral centerpieces for the event and to Genesis One Design for donating the invitations for this event!

Chase is giving away $5 million to area charities around the country via Facebook. Facebook users are casting their votes November 15 through December 11 for the charity of their choice. You can vote for United Way by clicking here. Simply type in ‘United Way of Metropolitan Chicago’ and cast your vote. United Way of the DuPage Area can win $25,000 if it receives enough votes to rank it among the top 100 charities in the country. Additional voting of the top 100 charities will take place Jan. 15—29 for their chance to win one of five $100,000 additional grants.

Vote today!