Heart of Illinois United Way

Lives Changed

Day in and day out, Heart of Illinois United Way dollars are hard at work in the community doing what matters the most . . . helping people. Here are just a few of our own hometown successes...

Together since birth, 85-year-old twins, Sarah and Sue were suddenly faced with being apart from each other. No longer able to prepare meals for herself, Sue was going to have to move into assisted living and be too far away for her sister to visit. But, through We Care's home delivered meals program, Sue has been able to stay in her home and remain independent. And with We Care's transportation services, Sarah visits her every day. Because of United Way funding at We Care, these two sisters are as close as ever.

A teen mom with a six-week-old baby often has to decide between taking care of her child and being able to finish school. But Leah not only finished high school she graduated from nursing school and is employed full-time at a local hospital as a registered nurse. It was due to the help of Urban League. Through their Parent-Child Education Center, Leah was able to enroll her infant in childcare classes. Due to United Way funding at Urban League, and through Leah's courage, determination and support system - she finished nursing school and helped get her child ready to enter kindergarten, too.

Jason has a buddy and he's on his way. Before being matched with a Big Brother in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Lunch Buddies program, Jason was between homes and was missing at least one day of school per week. He was quiet, his self-esteem was low, and he was not doing well academically. But, since being matched with his new Big Brother Pat last year, Jason has set a goal for straight A's and is close to being on the honor roll. Because of his weekly lunches with Pat, his confidence and self-esteem are high and he is even playing football and experiencing things that he has never had an opportunity to experience before. Plus, Jason loves to do activities with Pat and his family, and has set a goal of going to college and becoming an architect. Thanks in part to funding from the United Way, more and more young boys and girls are having mentors in their life that are making a difference for their futures.

Marie needed help and didn't know where to turn. With no home or job, she was also being physically threatened and abused. The Center for Prevention of Abuse took her in during her time of need and helped her get back on her feet and out in the world. During her stay in their shelter she was provided with warm meals, new clothing, help finding a job and much-needed legal advocacy to obtain a restraining order. But most importantly, Marie received counseling for domestic violence. With the help of United Way funding and the Center's ongoing support, she has a new job and has moved onto transitional housing – and most importantly, is starting to feel safe again.

Parents who have two jobs still find it hard to make ends meet – and the slowly recovering economy is making situations worse. Bob and Diane wanted the best for their two girls, and finding caring, quality day care at the Salvation Army was their first step in providing a stable home environment. With rising costs for food, housing and childcare, Diane was faced with the decision of quitting her job to stay at home with her girls – a decision the family could not afford to make. With the help of a United Way funded scholarships for childcare at the Salvation Army, her girls have teachers they love, are learning and growing every day and both parents are able to keep their jobs and keep up with their bills.

Did you know the number one reason children miss school is because of untreated dental pain? And this pain, if left untreated, can stay with you for a lifetime. Just ask Peter whose poor health at age 26 is caused by poor condition of his teeth which causes severe headaches, pain and infections. Living at home with his mom, Peter is depressed and lacks the self-esteem he needs to be a part of the world around him. And even though his mom tells him repeatedly that is true beauty is on the inside, he feels he has a hard time getting a good job because people judge him differently because of his teeth. But the United Way funded dental clinic at Heartland Community Health Clinic has made a difference in Peter's life. With the poor condition of his teeth (none were able to be saved) the dental clinic helped Peter get much needed dentures. If left untreated, he would have continued to have declining health and self-esteem. Today, he is thankful to Heartland Clinic for the help they have given him and is always willing to flash the staff a smile when he comes in for a check-up.

Being a single grandmother was an unexpected turn in the life of Barbara. She loves her granddaughter more than words could say and was excited the day child protection services gave her custody. But then, she hurt herself on the job. She loves her granddaughter and would do anything for her, but the struggles taking care of her on her one was making it hard for Barbara as she was getting older. In need of medical attention from her injury, Barbara didn't have any family in the area that she could turn to for help during these stressful times. The care of her granddaughter was completely in Barbara's hands. That's when the United Way funded Crisis Nursery at Crittenton Centers became an important part of her family's life. It provided a safe, secure, and nurturing place for her granddaughter to stay while she was admitted to the hospital and they provided childcare after Barbara's surgeries so she could heal while knowing her granddaughter was being well cared for in the Crisis Nursery.

As you grow older, you learn to appreciate those old baby photos and embarrassing home videos your parents made of you as a child. You are glad someone was there to document your childhood, your transformation into the person you are today. Last fall, the Moore family helplessly watched their entire home burn down in the early afternoon. Central Illinois Firefighters and the local Red Cross chapter arrived at the scene and found a young toddler and pregnant mother who needed to contact her husband. With no other family in the area, they were in immediate need of shelter, food, clothing, shoes and medication. The family's home was destroyed and the loss of all of their pictures and family mementos really hit home. Within an hour volunteers from the United Way funded emergency services at the Red Cross had secured a place for the family to stay and even helped replace a lost Halloween costume. Within the week, the Moores were able to find another home and with rental assistance from the Red Cross – just in time for the family to celebrate Thanksgiving and the holidays.