Press Releases
September 2, 2009
Governor Quinn visits United Way to sign the 2-1-1 Service Act
Oak Brook, IL- Governor Pat Quinn joined staff and volunteers at United Way of Metropolitan Chicago on August 21st to sign the 2-1-1 Service Act. This legislation, which received unanimous support in both the House and Senate, is an important step in the development and implementation of statewide 2-1-1 service. This toll-free, 24-hour information line will give Illinois residents easy access to health and human services support when and where they need it.
When speaking about the need for access to public services in Illinois Governor Quinn said, “It’s important that we go forward in a positive direction and signing this bill today is a step for public safety in Illinois. As Governor of Illinois there is no higher priority than the public’s health and safety.”
In February, United Way of the DuPage Area representatives, along with dozens of other United Way staff and supporters from all over the state, visited the Illinois capitol to meet with key legislators to gain their support of 2-1-1 among other public policy objectives.
In the DuPage area, the DuPage County Human Services department runs a service known as the Community Resource Information System (“CRIS”) that connects callers to government and nonprofit supports. The value of converting to the 2-1-1 system in the DuPage area will be that residents across the state will be able to dial one, easy to remember number to be connected to essential community information and referrals.
“People often turn to United Way for assistance referrals when they don’t know where else to go. Having 2-1-1 available in the DuPage area will make it immensely easier to ensure that people in need receive timely and appropriate referrals, no matter where they live,” said Christine Lewis, Chief Professional Officer of United Way of the DuPage Area.
Since its national launch in 1997, the United Way-led effort to provide 2-1-1 service has proven to be of great assistance during times of crisis such as the 2009 ice storms in Arkansas, the 2007 wildfires in Southern California and the Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. This service is currently available in 47 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. In 2008, over 14 million calls to 2-1-1 were answered across the country.
We thank Governor Quinn and all the state legislators for their support of this important service. For more information about the 2-1-1 Service Act please contact Esther Hicks at 630-645-6333 or ehicks@uw-mc.org.
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For Immediate Release
June 26, 2009
United Way of the DuPage Area Invests $3.7 million
Oak Brook, IL – United Way of the DuPage Area will invest over $3.7 million in more than 100 health and human service programs in 30 communities during the coming year. These programs address needs in the areas of financial stability, health and wellness, children and youth, and crisis intervention and will benefit residents in the DuPage area. Despite the difficult economy, United Way is proud to hold funding steady and will support all existing programs at the same level as past commitments.
“The fact that funding will be held steady throughout this coming year is wonderful news to all of our partner agencies, who work tirelessly to meet the growing needs in our community” said Christine Lewis, UWDA’s Chief Professional Officer. “We are truly grateful for the support of local residents and companies. Without their generosity, this would not be possible. Their dedication allows us to further our mission as we work to improve lives and help people become self-sufficient.”
Final funding decisions were made by expert teams of volunteers who each spent over twenty hours reviewing applications and evaluating program objectives and outcomes. To be eligible for United Way funding, all programs must demonstrate their ability to reach a high level of community impact. Of the resources being distributed:
- $416,957 will be invested in programs that provide services such as job placement assistance and money management support. (Financial Stability)
- $869,947 will be invested in programs that provide after-school tutoring and early-childhood development. (Children & Youth)
- $1,808,408 will be invested in programs that provide such services as access to health care, immunizations and mental health counseling. (Health & Wellness)
- $619,527 will be invested in crisis intervention programs such as food pantries and emergency shelters. (Crisis Intervention)
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For Immediate Release
June 25, 2009
United Way of the DuPage Area Appoints Six New Members to Board of Directors
Oak Brook, IL – United Way of the DuPage Area is pleased to announce its new 2009-2010 Board of Directors. The new board was introduced to the public at its annual meeting, which was held on June 17. Jerry Broz of Lisle, former Vice-President, is the board’s newly elected President. Natasha Bonomo of Naperville is the new Vice-President. Nathan Paulson of Wheaton is the board’s new Treasurer, and Don Tomes of Wheaton is the new Secretary. The newest members of the board of directors are: Violette Hawkins of Aurora; Mary Keating of St. Charles; Candace King of Glen Ellyn; Phillip Lorenzini of Wheaton; Orlando Murrell of Naperville; and Marie Ward of Naperville.
Ms. Hawkins works in Downers Grove as a licensed financial advisor with Edward Jones, a full service investment company that helps both individuals and business owners reach their financial goals. She specializes in the area of retirement, estate and education planning along with tax reduction. Violette is also a member of the Westmont Chamber of Commerce and volunteers with Casa Juan Diego in Chicago.
Ms. Keating is the Administrator of Community Development for DuPage County Community Services, located in Wheaton. She has over 20 years experience in public sector program administration and is responsible for Community Development, Housing Rehab, Specialized Transportation, Grants Management, and Community Outreach.
Ms. King has served as Executive Director of the DuPage Federation on Human Services Reform since its inception in 1995. Her background includes program development and administrative experience in a variety of human services programs in three states, including administration of advocacy and family support programs serving people with disabilities, low income and at risk families and the elderly. Candace also serves on the boards of the National Association of Planning Councils, the DuPage Health Coalition and Positive Parenting DuPage.
Mr. Lorenzini is a Partner with Edgewater Growth Capital Partners and is Edgewater’s CFO. He is responsible for overseeing the financial and business operations of Edgewater, including treasury, accounting and reporting activities. Phil is also a Certified Public Accountant.
Mr. Murrell is a Senior Analyst in the Alternative Investments Division at The Northern Trust Company, headquartered in Chicago. In this role, he performs analyses of clients’ investments in private equity, as well as conducts various training sessions for junior-level partners. Orlando has been a panel and committee volunteer with United Way this past year and has also served as the Treasurer of The Rock Christian Church.
Ms. Ward is a veteran senior level manager with over 22 years experience with a Fortune 95 company. She has been involved with United Way in a variety of roles over the years and joined the Naperville United Way board in 2004. In this most recent funding cycle, Marie volunteered on the Financial Stability Issue Area team for United Way of DuPage Area.
The United Way of the DuPage Area board of directors is responsible for setting policy and making critical funding decisions that affect programs and services to address the DuPage area’s greatest needs, focusing in on the areas of education, income, health and crisis support. Last year, the board approved a $3.7 million investment in community programs that improve lives and strengthen communities.
“We are delighted to welcome Violette, Mary, Candace, Phil, Orlando, and Marie to the board of directors,” said Jerry Broz, United Way of the DuPage Area’s new board President. “Each of these talented, caring leaders brings a breadth of knowledge and perspective that will aid in mobilizing more resources for the DuPage area. With their help, United Way will continue to be the most effective way for individuals and organizations to give, advocate and volunteer throughout our communities.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 19, 2009
United Way Day of Action June 21, 2009
Local residents, non-profits and businesses LIVE UNITED
Oak Brook, IL – On June 21st, the longest day of the year, United Way of the DuPage Area will join United Ways across the country in the second annual United Way Day of Action. This event serves as a call-to-action for individuals to come together in collective efforts to make needed changes in their communities.
“On this day we urge everyone to think about how we can all advance the common good by donating our time and talent to improve our local communities”, says Esther Hicks, UWDA’s Day of Action Project Leader. “Whether you give, advocate or volunteer, you can be part of the change. Bring a bag of groceries to your local food shelter. Organize a reading hour for children in your neighborhood. Get involved in your workplace campaign, or start your own. This is what it means to LIVE UNITED.”
Our community is joining people all across the country, who will be taking action on this day- demonstrating how they LIVE UNITED by giving, advocating, and volunteering.
Please visit our website at http://uwdupage.org/how-i-live-united/ to view stories and photos of United Way of the DuPage Area supporters sharing how they LIVE UNITED.
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Letter to the Editor
June 19, 2009
On May 31, the Illinois legislature passed a budget that cuts in half funding for health and human services. This means that many of the programs that keep our DuPage area residents self-sufficient are now at risk of being reduced or eliminated. Even those agencies that over the years have become symbols of hope, caring and aid to our children and youth, our elderly and the less fortunate are just as vulnerable to these cuts.
There is no question that this is a time to tighten belts and find new efficiencies. Human service has been operating on shoestrings for years yet it is still facing what could be the worst economic crisis ever. Add to that the increased demand for services due to the recession, and the result is a perfect storm of increased demand and decreased funding for our human services sector.
The Illinois Department of Human Services is looking to close four mental health facilities, eliminate substance abuse treatment and prevention services and slash all human service agency programs by 50% to 100%. Every Illinois resident will suffer the consequences. In the DuPage area, the effects of this budget will be catastrophic:
- About 900 people with disabilities currently receiving services from Ray Graham Association will lose the supportive services they need to maintain their independence and dignity.
- Over 200 men and women in recovery for substance abuse and chemical dependence at agencies like Serenity House will have nowhere to go for help. Without intervention, their untreated conditions will worsen and increase the likelihood of them losing their job, their family and their home, and the probability of traffic fatalities, injury and criminal activity will increase.
- Approximately 2,800 children will lose their child care subsidies. For working relatives, this child care assistance is the main lifeline to be able to continue working and providing for the children they are raising. Without these subsidies, families will not be able to afford child care and therefore not be able to work, which will increase unemployment even more.
Although residents of the DuPage area have been extremely generous this year, there is simply no way United Way of the DuPage Area can fill the gap that such a substantial cut in government funding will leave. State-wide, government funding currently accounts for 97% of all human services funding, and no matter what United Way and all our local social service agencies do to fundraise, there is no substitute for government funding.
We urge lawmakers to maintain full funding for health and human services today to avoid paying higher costs for bigger problems later. Contact your legislators and ask them to support full funding for health and human services. Find your State Representative and State Senator at www.uw-mc.org/advocate/advocacy-resources.
Christine Lewis
Chief Professional Officer
United Way of the DuPage Area
clewis@uw-mc.org
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For Immediate Release
May 15, 2009
Contact: Sonya Davis
United Way of the DuPage Area
630-645-6341
United Way of the DuPage Area’s Top 5 Corporate Citizens give over $650,000, Kellogg Company #1
Oak Brook, IL – United Way of the DuPage Area announced today the top corporate citizens of the 2008 fundraising campaign, and once again Kellogg Company of Elmhurst and Oak Brook is the #1 Top Corporate Citizen. This year, through a combination of employee pledges, corporate gifts and special events, Kellogg Company raised $323,700. This is a 15% increase over last year’s total.
“Our employees take pride in generously supporting United Way and its partner agencies,” said Mark Szkudlarek, Kellogg Company Vice President, IT Infrastructure Solutions and United Way Executive Sponsor. “Together, we are helping to meet critical human needs in the community where we live and work.”
Kellogg Company’s support reaches far beyond financial contributions. This past October, they sponsored a Day of Caring event to benefit Ray Graham Association. Over the course of three days, six groups of Kellogg Company employees painted several of Ray Graham’s group home facilities throughout the DuPage area.
In all, United Way’s top five corporate citizens, which also includes Park National Bank, Nationwide Insurance, First Midwest Bank of Itasca and Acxiom Corporation, gave more than $650,000 to support over 100 health and human services programs in the DuPage area.
“All of our corporate campaigns have done a remarkable job despite these difficult times and they continue to be extremely supportive,” says United Way of the DuPage Area’s Chief Professional Officer, Christine Lewis, “in a time where less is available and more is needed, these corporations have really stepped up and set a shining example of what it means to LIVE UNITED.”
For more information on United Way and or to find out how to become one of United Way of the DuPage Area’s corporate citizens, please contact Christine Lewis at 630-645-6352 or clewis@uw-mc.org.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 15, 2009
Contact: Sonya Davis
United Way of the DuPage Area
630-645-6341
WINFIELD RESIDENT HONORED AT UNITED WAY CELEBRATION FOR EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY
Oak Brook, IL – Phil Smith of Winfield, Ill. was honored as United Way of Metropolitan Chicago’s Volunteer of the Year May 8th at the United Way Community Celebration. The event at the Chicago Hilton celebrates the impact of all the individuals and companies working with United Way to improve lives.
Smith is Director of the DuPage County Department of Community Services and has been involved with United Way for four years. He began by serving on an advisory group with the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago. This group worked on strategies to assure United Way funding achieved the greatest amount of good in the region. Currently, he serves as Secretary of the United Way of the DuPage Area Board and as Chair of the UWDA Community Impact Steering Committee. Phil also enjoys his work on the boards of the DuPage Federation on Human Services Reform, the DuPage Health Coalition, and Positive Parenting DuPage.
“Phil brings invaluable insight to our Community Impact Steering Committee as they lead community building efforts to determine the critical needs in our area,” said Christine Lewis, Chief Professional Officer, United Way of the DuPage Area. “He assumes a leadership role in every capacity from community organizing to making difficult funding decisions for our programs. He’s an excellent example of one who has passion for community work.”
The Outstanding Volunteer Award recognizes United Way volunteers whose work has resulted in groundbreaking achievements that advance United Way’s mission to improve lives.
“Working as a volunteer for United Way is gratifying because of the people you meet and the programs that you get to know,” said Smith. “But there is also great satisfaction knowing that the organization is continuously focusing on improving the lives of vulnerable populations with an organized strategy. It is important to United Way that donors know the positive impact they have on the community, and that makes my experience all the more worthwhile.”
United Way of the DuPage Area improves lives by mobilizing caring people to invest in the community where it’s needed most. People LIVE UNITED by engaging with United Way to give, advocate and volunteer in their community to advance the common good. Spanning 30 communities across the DuPage area and beyond, United Way is the largest non-governmental funder of health and human service programs in the region. By promoting education, income and health, United Way creates opportunities for people to live a stable, healthy and independent life. www.uwdupage.org.
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