Sarah Hughes was looking for a way to support her community. It was summer of 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when she saw a flyer from Women United, the United Way of Metro Chicago affinity group, calling for diaper and formula donations. Sarah immediately emailed her Deloitte colleagues.
This past weekend, we joined Chicago’s civic, business, and philanthropic community, alongside family and loved ones, to celebrate the life and legacy of Andrew J. McKenna, a friend and supporter of United Way of Metro Chicago for decades.
Maria and her family participated in Uniting for the Holidays, a series of drive-through events providing meals and gifts for thousands of residents in eight Chicago suburbs, including Palatine, where Maria has lived for more than 20 years.
Our chief development officer, Chris Preston, reflects on what it means to him and our team to mobilize the caring power of communities to make a difference.
Our Stability for Survivors program, supported by United Way of Metro Chicago, The Allstate Foundation, and Crown Family Philanthropies, addresses the often-overlooked issue of financial abuse. This vital program is expanding this year to reach more community partners—and empower more survivors to regain their power and independence.
This Latinx Heritage Month, United Way of Metro Chicago partnered with our Neighborhood Networks in Brighton Park, Cicero, and Little Village to spotlight Latinx-owned restaurants, cafes, shops, and other small businesses that call these vibrant communities home.
As we kicked off the 2022/2023 Campaign season in July, we are grateful for our partners who are keeping our legacy of employee giving alive. We connected with a few of our Campaign Cabinet members who shared their stories, what motivates them to volunteer and give through United Way, and their hopes for the 2022/2023 Campaign year.
In the fall of 2021, United Way of Metro Chicago, with the support of founding sponsor Peoples Gas, launched the United Neighborhoods Equity Fund (UNEF), our philanthropic commitment to addressing systemic barriers and creating more equitable investments and opportunities in our communities.
When we invest in our communities, we are in it for the long haul. Because change does not happen overnight. United Way of Metro Chicago’s Neighborhood Network Initiative reflects this commitment, combining long-term strategy with place-based, community-led efforts to drive neighborhood transformation.
Digital technology has become almost essential for navigating daily life in today’s world. More than just a convenience, the internet provides connection to opportunities—to work, education, health care, banking, and more.