UWNI: 20022-2023 MIDYEAR REPORT

United Way of Northwest Illinois

2022-2023

MIDYEAR REPORT

MID-YEAR REPORT 2022-2023

EDUCATION

EARLY CHILDHOOD CONOSORTIUM Collaborators: Amity

The ECC is a collaboration of Early Childhood providers & agencies that share resources & support in order to provide a system of care that ensures quality education, care & parent support services are available to all families on an equitable basis.

NICAA Head Start YMCA Children’s Center Open Bible Learning Center Aquin Preschool Roberta Capp Home Daycare

ROE 8 AOK

United Way of Northwest Illinois

The ECC’s goal is to prepare children for Kindergarten through quaility programming & assessments.

We continue to use Teaching Strategies Gold & Creative Curriculum - which is funded by the United Way - within our partner agencies to ensure that all children have been provided the same curriculum as they prepare for Kindergarten. 845 children have been assessed so far this year & 85% are on target for Kindergarten readiness. Screening tools utilized through this grant also assist us with referrals to families for additional services.

MID-YEAR REPORT 2022-2023

EDUCATION

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB: READING IS ESSENTIAL AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM

The Reading Essentials program at the Boys & Girls Club is dedicated to helping students that are behind in reading to progress their skill with excitement & incentives through the Reading Rangers interactive, self-motivated program.

Collaborators: Freeport School District Northern Illinois Food Bank Freeport Art Museum

United Way of Northwest Illinois

“We had a 1st Grader come to us last school year who was not progressing & was having difficulties completing her Reading Rangers sessions, causing her to have to start completely over the next day. During the summer, our staff was able to find ways to make the program exciting for her & provide incentives that kept her engaged & learning. Through their hard work, she caught up & is currently reading at her grade level!”

- Boys & Girls Club Staff

MID-YEAR REPORT 2022-2023

EDUCATION

DOLLY PARTON IMAGINATION LIBRARY Collaborators:

The United Way of Northwest Illinois’ Imagination Library is a program that mails a free book to a registered child every month, from birth to 5 years of age in Stephenson, Jo Daviess, & Carroll Counties.

United Way of Northwest Illinois

We currently have 2,760 children registered in the DPIL in Stephenson, Jo Daviess & Carroll counties - that’s over 16,000 books so far this fiscal year!

United Way of Northwest Illinois

“My child is so excited to see their book arrive in the mailbox every month! The books are great quality & many have become our go-to family favorites. We are so lucky to have this awesome program in our area!”

- Stephenson County Parent

MID-YEAR REPORT 2022-2023

HEALTH

DOMESTIC & SEXUAL VIOLENCE SAFETY COLLABORATVIE Collaborators:

The Domestic & Sexual Violence Safety Collaboration is a network of 8 community partners focused on providing services to those affected or at-risk for abuse, violence, neglect & exploitation in our community.

Tyler’s Justice Center CONTACT RAMP FHN Complex Care Riverview Center

United Way of Northwest Illinois

“During our work with a young mother of 2 who was attempting to leave her abuser, we were able to assist & watch her gain confidence, overcome a great deal of trauma & assist her whith finding housing & a new start. She recently called to share how well she is doing - she is currently employed & going back to college for her bachelor degree. Her children are thriving & she is so grateful for all of those who assisted her through Voices.”

MID-YEAR REPORT 2022-2023

HEALTH

GIRL SCOUTS OF NORTHERN ILLINOIS Collaborators:

The Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois are working with thier collaborators to provide developmental & academic benefits for the Girl Scout Leadership Experience for at-risk & underserved girls in Freeport.

Boys & Girls Club Voices

The Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois are working to help girls develop a strong sense of self & demonstrate confidence in themselves & their abilities to form positive identities & behaviors. Forming relationships & learning how to act ethically, honestly & responsibly are also focused areas of study.

United Way of Northwest Illinois

The GSNI is also committed to teaching the girls awareness of Human Trafficking & how they can prevent themselves from being a victim.

MID-YEAR REPORT 2022-2023

FINACIAL STABILITY RAMP: TEENS IN TRANSITION

RAMP’s Teens in Transition program aims to provide education & training for at-risk students & adults to prepare for employment & career opportunities, & to live independently.

Collaborators: Freeport Alternative High School Pearl City High School Lena-Winslow High School Freeport High School

United Way of Northwest Illinois

“When we got to the ”Practice for the Real World” session I told them they were either going to love it or hate it. This session was a lot like the game of Life they would be given a sheet that outlined thier income, their family & their bills. One student, who struggles with addiction & usually sleeps during class was fully engaged in this lesson. He spent the entire hour paying bills & balancing his money.

This was a valuable lesson that he enjoyed & that will stick with him!”

- TNT Instructor

MID-YEAR REPORT 2022-2023

BASIC NEEDS

FACC CHICAGO AVENUE MISSION Collaborators:

FACC is the only non-domestic violence homeless service provider in Stephenson, Jo Daviess & Carroll counties. They serve men, women & families. They are open 365 days a year & provide a safe & warm place for our local homless to eat, sleep & rebuild their lives.

Freeport Area Church Collaborative

United Way of Northwest Illinois

“We recently took in a 21-year-old man, who was caught in an physically abusive relationship with is girlfriend. He was emotionally broken & embarrassed as a male who was physically abused - he had nowhere to go. We got him counseling, helped him find employment & watched him start rebuilding relationships with his family. He is healing & on his way to self-sufficency.”

- FACC Staff

MID-YEAR REPORT 2022-2023

BASIC NEEDS

GOLDEN MEALS

Golden Meals provides nourshing meals to senior citizens at congregate meals sites & home deliveris to those who are home bound.

Collaborators: NICAA

United Way of Northwest Illinois

Golden Meals provides nutritious meals to senior citizens, aged 60 & beyond, in Stephenson, Jo Daviess & Carroll counties. All meals are planned by a registered dietician & provide at least 1/3 of the dietary requirements for adults.

Home delivered meals are delivered daily through the week & clients can choose sack suppers & frozen meals for the weekends. 153,703 meals have been served in our region so far this year!

MID-YEAR REPORT 2022-2023

BASIC NEEDS

EFSP EMERGENCY FOOD & SHELTER PROGRAM Collaborators:

United Way of Northwest Illinois serves as the Chair of our local (EFSP) Board.

The local board receives funds from the National EFSP Board to supplement existing services that meet critical emergency needs in Stephenson, Jo Daviess & Carrol counties.

United Way of Northwest Illinois Chair

United Way of Whiteside County Caring Neighbors Food Pantry Hearts that Care Food Pantry West Carroll School Pantry Golden Meals FACC Voices Riverview Center The Workshop Salvation Army

United Way of Northwest Illinois

Durning 2022, our EFSP Local Boards was tasked with distributing $95,350 to help expand the capacity of food & shelter programs in Stephenson, Jo Daviess & Carroll counties.

Funding was awarded to the EFSP National Board through FEMA, made available under the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2022 (Pub. L. No. 117-103).

United Way of Northwest Illinois

2022-2023 FUNDED PROGRAMS

EDUCATION

Amity Society Boys & Girls Club Family YMCA Dolly Parton Imagination Library

HEALTH

CONTACT Tyler’s Justice Center VOICES Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois

FINANCIAL STABILITY RAMP

BASIC NEEDS

FACC Golden Meals Voices Riverview Center The Workshop Hearts that Care Food Pantry Caring Neighbors Food Pantry West Carroll School Food Pantry Salvation Army United Way of Carroll County