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United Way Of Metro Chicago fights for the health, education, financial stability and safety of every person in every neighborhood across the region.

Local Therapy Class Helps Both Mothers and Babies Thrive

“She’s doing it! She’s doing it!” exclaimed Nicole Zwiercan with a delighted grin on her face. Next to Nicole lay her 8-month old daughter, Ashlynn, holding her chest and head up to see her proud mother.For every mom, witnessing a milestone in her child’s development is cause for celebration.However, these advances are especially significant for Nicole and other mothers whose children attend the Center for Independence through Conductive Education, a United Way of Metro Chicago community partner.The center serves children and teenagers with physical… Read more »

The Latest
  • January 16, 2019 3:23pm
    Speak United Blog

    The Advocates: Cultivating a Culture of Corporate Philanthropy 

    In his lifetime, Charles Matthews’ career has taken him and his family around the United States and beyond. Though his title and coordinates have changed, his commitment to serving as a philanthropic leader in the workplace hasn’t.Serving as president and chief executive officer of Peoples Energy, Charles oversees the daily operations, strategy,… Read more »

  • January 9, 2019 10:45am
    Speak United Blog

    Austin Teens Build Sisterhood of Support

    A few days before their Christmas celebrations began, a group of teen girls from Chicago’s Austin neighborhood gathered around a table, sipping hot chocolate and decorating canvases.  The “Paint & Sip” night organized by BUILD, Inc., one of Chicago’s leading gang intervention, violence prevention and youth development organizations, served as a “mixer” to… Read more »

  • December 19, 2018 11:23am
    Speak United Blog

    Cooking & Conversations: Health Promoters Host Nutrition Chats

    In a small classroom in Little Village, Gloria Hernandez passed around recipes to a handful of women clad in hairnets and aprons. On this December morning, parfait de fruta y yogurt, or fruit and yogurt parfaits, were on the menu.As the women peeled and chopped bananas, strawberries, apples and papayas, Gloria guided… Read more »

  • December 11, 2018 11:30am
    Speak United Blog

    The Changemakers: United Way Volunteers Make a Difference

    When she’s not sifting through spreadsheets in her audit department at KPMG, Sara Clancy lends her leadership skills to a good cause. As chair of our Young Leaders United (YLU) affinity group, Sara leads the team of philanthropic young adults through volunteer projects and planning for fundraising events.She’s new to the gig,… Read more »

  • December 7, 2018 3:43pm
    Speak United Blog

    Festive Fair Brightens Evanston Families’ Holiday Season

    As Christmas music played and families mingled, Dayari Landa sifted through a table filled with children’s books, searching for the perfect read. The 9-year-old girl passed over Dr. Seuss and Shel Silverstein offerings and, with a look of delight, picked up two coding books for girls.“This is great! I just joined Girls… Read more »

  • December 6, 2018 2:17pm
    Speak United Blog

    Leadership Trainings Empower Local Parents

    Throughout parenthood, mothers and fathers often find themselves wishing for instructions on how to raise their children to be successful in school and in life. Though no such manual exists, some neighborhood organizations supported by United Way of Metro Chicago are providing parents with the next best tool – parent leadership programs.“Parent… Read more »

  • December 5, 2018 12:05pm
    Speak United Blog

    Healthy Kids Resource Fair Opens Doors to Good Health

    Presently, more than 70,000 Chicago Public Schools students who are eligible for health insurance lack coverage. That’s 20 percent of students in one of the largest school districts in the country.Through a new initiative called Opening Doors, United Way of Metro Chicago and CPS aim to reduce that number. By directly connecting… Read more »

  • November 20, 2018 3:50pm
    Speak United Blog

    5 Reasons United Way Should Be On Your Giving List This Year

     While the holiday season is often thought of as a time of celebration and good cheer, many of our neighbors across the region are facing challenges they can’t tackle alone. As giving is top of mind, we encourage you to do what you can to support your neighbors in need.Here are five… Read more »

  • November 15, 2018 11:48am
    Speak United Blog

    Healthcare Navigators Help Enrollees Steer Clear of Insurance Confusion

    Copayments. Deductibles. Premiums. The complex world of health insurance coverage can be confusing for even the most informed patients. But for immigrants, refugees and other underserved populations, our country’s healthcare system is particularly daunting.In a city where 10.5 percent of people lack health insurance coverage, United Way of Metro Chicago community partners… Read more »

  • November 8, 2018 7:50am
    Speak United Blog

    Housing Program Provided “Safe Haven” for Recovering Veteran

    Seventeen years ago, while living in a recovery home, David McGowan received an offer he couldn’t refuse. A native Chicagoan from the Cabrini-Green neighborhood, David was invited to leave the recovery home he shared with 18 other men and move into his own furnished studio apartment in Wicker Park.Having been homeless for… Read more »

  • November 7, 2018 7:30am
    Speak United Blog

    Suburban Coalition Relieves Families of High Healthcare Costs

    When Dave and Jana Jenkins decided to return to the United States in 2012 following 19 years of missionary work in Africa, the pair expected to face challenges. What the parents of five didn’t foresee was healthcare being a costly barrier to their assimilation back into American life.“Most of our professional lives… Read more »

  • October 31, 2018 4:05pm
    Speak United Blog

    At Annual March, Little Village Residents Call for Peace

    On a crisp Autumn afternoon, Little Village residents and their allies, clad in purple t-shirts, weaved through their southwest Chicago neighborhood marching for peace and an end to domestic violence.Hosted by the Marshall Square Resource Network (MSRN), participants of the 5th Annual Peace March sought to commemorate the lives of individuals who’ve… Read more »

  • October 25, 2018 11:03am
    Speak United Blog

    Spicing Up Healthy Living: Promoting Healthy Lifestyles through Latin Dance

    In an old, brick-walled gym flooded with morning sunlight, dozens of women sporting colorful workout clothes were breaking a sweat in Miguel Murillo’s Latin dance class.Following his lead, the women danced the Salsa, Mambo and Cha-Cha, mixed with Zumba and other hip-hop moves, as drum beats pulsed through the speaker system.Hosted by… Read more »

  • October 18, 2018 12:23pm
    Speak United Blog

    Get to Know Our CEO: Q&A with Sean Garrett

    United Way of Metro Chicago’s Senior Manager of Communications sat down with our new CEO and President, Sean Garrett, to learn more about his passion for our work, vision for our organization and what he loves about Chicago.Kiara Goodwin (KG): Sean – Welcome to Chicago! Or should I say, welcome back.Sean Garrett… Read more »

  • October 17, 2018 4:29pm
    Speak United Blog

    It Takes a Village: One Center Helps Entire Families Thrive

    When her daughter Pearl was seven-months-old, Shyera Gaston set out on a search for a daycare service in her neighborhood. Shyera had recently decided to continue her education to support her growing family.Hoping to heal others with her hands, Shyera, who was 22 at the time, excitedly enrolled in school to study… Read more »

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