Did you know that the Heart of Illinois United Way is at work throughout central Illinois helping people within your hometown? Each day, more than 80 Heart of Illinois United Way-funded programs benefit people throughout Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, Stark, Marshall and Putnam counties.
When a program is funded by the United Way, the agency provides us with a wide variety of data. In the last year, more than 91,000 people throughout central Illinois have accessed United Way-funded programs—with nearly 40 percent living outside of the City of Peoria.
By advancing education, income and health in communities like Morton, Metamora, Washington, East Peoria and Chillicothe, the United Way is supporting the building blocks of a safe and stable life. For many individuals and families, these fundamentals are out of reach.
“By volunteering with the United Way, we highlight what good comes out of the programs and the lives that they affect,” says Tim Neuhauser, a United Way board member and Morton resident. “That is the most important thing that we can do.”
Over the last two years, the United Way’s 47 partner agencies have collectively lost more than $10.94 million in state and federal funding. Because of the generosity and support of the residents of central Illinois, the Heart of Illinois United Way continues to be the largest non-governmental funder of health and human care services in central Illinois. While our annual campaign cannot fill the constant gap in funding, it makes our community-wide efforts more critical than ever.
A gift to the Heart of Illinois United Way is the shortest distance between making a charitable investment and building a stronger, safer and healthier hometown. With more than 90 years of experience, the United Way uses a competitive grant process to drive local, community-wide change. By continually assessing current living conditions and historical social service trends, our United Way has been able to establish local outcomes that address the critical needs of the people throughout central Illinois.
“I like United Way because they are a results-based organization,” says Teresa Koch, a United Way volunteer and Metamora resident. “When I give through United Way, I know that I am making a difference in many lives through many programs.”
The Heart of Illinois United Way is dedicated to bringing the people of central Illinois together to address critical health and human care needs. It takes more than just one person or one company to improve lives—it takes the entire community working together. For more information on how United Way is at work in your hometown, or to hear from people who have been helped by United Way-funded programs, visit hoiunitedway.org and click on “Communities We Serve.” iBi
