(L-R) Tami Meister, Vice Chair of the Crittenton Centers Board; Jeff Gress, President and CEO of Crittenton Centers; Jennifer Zammuto, Caterpillar Inc.; and Tim Neuhauser, Envision Insurance and Chair of the Heart of Illinois United Way Board of Directors.
Congratulations to Crittenton Centers who was recently awarded the Heart of Illinois United Way’s 2017 Jim and Katie Owens Partner Award at the 2017 Annual Meeting on July 25.
In 2007, the Heart of Illinois United Way created the United Way Partner Award that is presented annually to a United Way agency in recognition of their outstanding leadership, collaboration and engagement with the Heart of Illinois United Way. In 2009, Jim and Katie Owens were presented with the Heart of Illinois United Way’s Philanthropist of the Year award at the Toqueville Society reception.
Over the years, Jim and Katie Owens have provided outstanding volunteer leadership to the United Way and our partner agencies. They have served on our campaign cabinet, board of directors and several committees. To recognize them for their tremendous support, in 2009 the United Way Partner Award was renamed in their honor to be the Jim and Katie Owens Partner Award.
As the 2017 recipient of the Jim and Katie Owens Partner Award, Crittenton Centers has been a member of the Heart of Illinois United Way family of agencies since the very beginnings of the United Way in 1921.
Founded as the House of Blessings in 1892, Crittenton Centers has been caring for women, children and families in central Illinois for 125 years. The agency provides three core services to the community: preschool and daycare for infants and children ages six weeks to six years, educational and support services for children and families, and emergency and respite care for infants and children from birth to age six in their crisis nursery.
Over the years, Crittenton Centers has been a tremendous partner to the Heart of Illinois United Way and our efforts to ensure families have access to quality education, financial stability and healthy lifestyles. This year’s honoree provides countless agency presentations to companies during the campaign, continually provides rewarding volunteer experiences through Day of Caring and other year-round United Way opportunities. In addition, Crittenton Center staff participates in several United Way committees including the Heart of Illinois Homeless Continuum of Care and Success By 6.