News & Updates

Thousands of people of all ages have a brighter future... because you stepped up to partner with United Way of McLean County this year. Your impact for others is incredible!   Here are a few snapshots of how your gifts this year have opened...

Meet Power Partner Westminster Village    Prosperity for McLean County won’t happen by chance. We need a community-wide movement of passionate individuals, community leaders, and businesses. Our Power Partners step up and take the lead to open...

Soon after José Manuel and Julia Pérez became first-time parents, the COVID-19 pandemic turned the entire world upside down. Welcoming Evie to their world was a joy, but they felt isolated as first-time parents and shut off from resources. Not...

Meet Power Partners Little Jewels & Rob Dob’s   Prosperity for McLean County won’t happen by chance. We need a community-wide movement of passionate individuals, community leaders, and businesses. Our Power Partners step up and take the lead to...

Meet Power Partner RE/MAX Rising, Bloomington IL   Prosperity for McLean County won’t happen by chance. We need a community-wide movement of passionate individuals, community leaders, and businesses. Our Power Partners step up and take the lead...

Celebrate the Power Of Partnership WITH US!   So much good is happening for individuals and families in our community through UWMC's solutions that open pathways to prosperity. It's time to celebrate the power of YOUR partnership!   We're...

Many teens have chronic stress that affects their grades and well-being. Such struggles can derail future stability and career goals. The fallout is especially severe for students without access to mental health support.   Your UWMC...

Young people often struggle post-high school because they don’t feel prepared to make career decisions. But that changes when career exploration and guidance opportunities are offered during high school.   Thanks to your partnership, students...

  When Ari first heard about Workforce180, she wondered if there was a catch. A program that provided tuition support, mentoring, and resources sounded too good to be true.   Ari realized it really was true when Workforce180 provided her with...

When passionate women step up, big things happen. Like distributing over 40,000 books to more than 4,000 children!    All of this happened thanks to the efforts of our local Women United chapter. These women are part of a powerful network of...

For the past 90 years, your partnership with UWMC has been a driving force for change.    Some of that change has happened inside of UWMC: In 2018, changes externally required us to pivot internally. That launched a new approach we call...

We’re celebrating a major milestone in 2025: it’s UWMC’s 90th anniversary! While nine decades is impressive in itself, the milestone raises a more important question…   What does 90 years of impact look like?   It looks like developing...

People across McLean County face daily struggles that erode personal stability and wellness. While our community offers them supports, there are gaps between services that only exacerbate their struggles and dim their chances for a brighter...

Our community grows stronger with every step we take on the pathway to prosperity. And you helped many fellow community members take steps toward stability and self-sufficiency in 2024!   Check out the 2024 annual report to see the impact you...

More than 170 women gathered on February 27 in support of childhood literacy at our annual Power of the Purse, hosted by Women United.   Each year, Women United hosts the Power of the Purse fundraiser to activate changemakers from across the...

A powerful marker for a child’s future academic success is having access to books at home. Children love bright illustrations, delightful stories, and concentrated attention from a caregiver reading aloud. Books and reading at home exposes them...

Plans are in the works for Women United's 2025 Power of the Purse—one you won't want to miss!    Thursday, February 27, 2025 4:30–10 PM Rob Dob's Restaurant & Bar   It's the ultimate ladies' night out for a cause, featuring a designer purse...

Academic success in high school and beyond help connect young people to stable careers and a self-sufficient future. But many area teens are dealing with mental and emotional struggles that put their future at risk.   That’s where your support...

Education has long been linked to personal and communal economic well-being. But many young adults face barriers to the education and training they need for a satisfying career that promotes self-sufficiency and stability.    Workforce180 is...

What happens when community-minded women band together in support of children’s literacy?!?   More than 1,300 preschoolers in McLean County get free books!   On May 17, more than 130 women gathered for the annual Power of the Purse, hosted by...

Maia is a single-mother of three who moved to Bloomington-Normal for new employment opportunities. But housing options were limited because many landlords require proof of steady income from new renters. Despite finding a full-time job with a...

The Mobile Medical Unit launched in August 2023 and by the end of that year had already served over 280 patients in four locations in Bloomington-Normal! That’s a substantial need, now being met.   United Way of McLean County saw a way to reach...

Post-Pandemic Poverty Report   In 2023, we received the latest household poverty report for McLean County. Post-pandemic, poverty has increased with over 26,000 households struggling financially. Of those households, around 11,000 meet the...

Connecting area residents to helpful opportunities and resources has long been a driving principle of our work at United Way of McLean County. Our Workforce180 program successfully guides young adults through professional and technical education...

Your generous support in 2023 elevated the reach and impact of our shared mission to individuals and families across McLean County. Many area residents have found pathways to prosperity thanks to your partnership! Our 2023 annual report...

Moving to a new community is never easy, but it’s all the more complicated for families who have immigrated. One family had been in the States just three days and found much-needed support at the McLean Mobile Health Clinic. The mobile unit was...

Across McLean County, individuals and families alike are under immense pressure. Some are struggling financially or emotionally. Others are facing employment or housing instability.   They find support for 180-degree change at United Way of...

Study after study reports that teens across the county are in a mental health crisis. We are seeing the reality of it in McLean County too. The 2022 Illinois Youth Survey found that more than one-third of all 8th to 12th grade students have...

In November, Robert Bosquez, of West Bloomington Revitalization Project’s Bed Blitz, was honored with the Phil Covey Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award. The Award included a monetary gift presented to the West Bloomington Revitalization Project...

One of the best aspects of our shared mission is being directly invested and involved in our community. In 2023, your partnership ensured that even more residents found pathways to prosperity through United Way services and support. This update...

Here's how you can help Young people in our community take steps toward a brighter future!  

This year’s event took place October 12 at Lakeside Country Club. Doors opened at 5:00 p.m. and the program began at 6:00 p.m. The evening included music by Chris Clemens, game stations hosted by Red Raccoon Games, and a silent auction. Attendees...

When the pandemic was at its height in 2020, it exacerbated the housing demand already unfolding for many neighbors across our county. We knew our commitment to collaboration could help. So we launched the Housing Coalition as a short-term...

Workforce180 is in its fourth year already — and it’s our biggest cohort of students yet! More than 75 young adults are getting vital support this year. They are overcoming obstacles to continue their training and education, with the support of...

Everyone deserves quality healthcare. But many McLean County residents face barriers to the care they need.   Now healthcare is going straight to those who need it via a mobile healthcare clinic. The new unit was commissioned by Carle Health at...

ThriveMind is only a year old but it’s grown leaps and bounds. We launched it knowing that teens were experiencing mental health challenges and that more support services were needed, especially in our rural school districts throughout the...

We had a fantastic time at this year’s Power of the Purse! It was so fun to gather with so many friends to put some power behind childhood literacy.   This year’s Women United event focused on giving kids greater access to books through our...

Seven students finished their Workforce180 journey this spring— and we couldn’t be more proud! In honor of all they’ve accomplished, Sam, Jayda, Kelli, Vera, Sal, Jenny, and Mandy were recognized at the Workforce180 Spring Summit held earlier...

Here in McLean County, every resident is our neighbor. That’s why we must work together to ensure that everyone experiences a more prosperous future. Our community thrives when everyone can access pathways to prosperity.   Your partnership with...

Lifelong friends and Workforce180 participants Jenny and Sal have always supported each other. Sal shares, “We’ve been friends since kindergarten!” Over the years, they’ve encouraged each other whenever school, work, or life got difficult. “When...

How many young adults can say their career path matches their favorite childhood Halloween costume?! That’s true for Kelli. She’s wanted to be a nurse as long as she can remember. “About half my family is in nursing! Really, I never wanted to be...

United Way of McLean County today announced McLean County has been awarded $69,127 in funding from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program. The...

QUICK RECAP — OUR NEIGHBORS IN DESPERATE NEED   In response to the current COVID crisis in the community, United Way of McLean County (UWMC), with the input of local government agencies and other stakeholders has identified food...

QUICK RECAP — OUR NEIGHBORS IN DESPERATE NEED   In response to the current COVID crisis in the community, United Way of McLean County (UWMC), with the input of local government agencies and other stakeholders has identified food...

UNITED WAY REVEALS GROWING NUMBER OF OVERWORKED, UNDERPAID IN ILLINOIS   BLOOMINGTON, IL (March 4, 2020) — At 9:00 am, Wednesday, in the Blue Room of the State Capital in Springfield, United Way of Illinois released a groundbreaking study...

I’m a member of the Normal Rotary Club.  We meet on Wednesdays at the Bone Student Center on the beautiful campus of Illinois State University.  For those who haven’t visited ISU in awhile, they’ve got some great revitalization going on to...

This weekend will mark 4 years for me on the job here at United Way of McLean County.  I think when most people hit an anniversary or milestone, be it in their marriage, their work, their birthday, what have you, it’s a time for reflection....

I managed a few moments of quiet reflection and solitude this morning before the chaos of the morning routine with my now 10 year old daughter reached full swing.  I know the weather hasn’t cooperated much to this point, and winter has seemed to...

We’re just 6 short weeks from this event, and we still have space for a few more non-profits that need a website makeover.  Each of these packages is valued between $25,000 and $30,000 in professional website services!   Technology is...

That first day back to the office after some time away can be a challenge to get caught up on everything.  Throw in a sick kiddo as you’re trying to get back in the groove, and it can further delay getting up and running.   I’m reminded of an...

Tomorrow marks an important day for the groundhog…see his shadow, and it’s six more weeks of winter.  If not, spring comes early.   Many people remember the movie “Groundhog Day” with Bill Murray.  For those familiar with it, the Sonny & Cher...

Happy 2018 to each and every one of you!  How are your New Year’s Resolutions coming?   A recent Business Insider article indicated that about 80% of people fail to stick to their New Year’s resolutions for longer than six weeks.  There are a...

Seasons greetings!  I hope your holiday shopping is done.  As I was wrapping presents recently, I realized how absolutely awful I am at that aspect of the season.  What would get wrapped with 3 pieces of tape and crisp, smooth holiday wrapping by...

We’re only weeks away from Christmas, and if your house is anything like mine, it’s a flurry of activity.  Nicholas the Elf on the Shelf (so named by my daughter, Addison) creates nightly havoc.  Addison decorated the tree the other day, and I...

Thanksgiving is just two weeks away, and this has always been my favorite holiday.  You have great food, time with family, no presents to buy, and as a life-long Dallas Cowboys fan, I know that they’ll be playing that day!   Many of us can...

Recent headlines are littered with tragic events, and many of them hit close to home.  Whether you have friends or loved ones in Florida, Texas, or Puerto Rico, or find yourself considering the time you stayed at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas,...

One of the consistent challenges that we have as an organization is when posed the question, “what does United Way do?”   It’s a simple question that at times has no easy answers.  For some, we are a fundraiser, a convener, a collaborator.  To...

I caught up with my friend, “Farmer Mark” the other day.  When I asked him what he’d been doing, he explained “There’s always something to do.  I’ve been mowing for days.”   Green and red combines toiling long hours in the coming weeks will...

What a rare treat this past Monday was!!  The Great American Solar Eclipse created quite a buzz here in the Twin-Cities, and while we weren’t totally dark, it was certainly a once in a generation kind of event.   Our nonprofit community is also...

Hello, and welcome to something I’m hoping to do with each newsletter.  I think it’s important for me to engage with our supporters, advocates, donors, and volunteers.  Creating a dialogue is valuable to our work, and it’s even at the base, the...