UNITED WAY OF GREATER MCHENRY COUNTY INC

Your impact is multiplied with a donation to the United Way of Greater McHenry County (UWGMC). The United Way of Greater McHenry County strengthens the community through its own programs which include the 211 resource line, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, and Ride United Food Pantry Delivery and through grant it awards each year to fortify programs run by local nonprofit partner agencies. With a bird's eye view, UWGMC is able to invest donated dollars where they are needed the most and will have the greatest impact.

Chances are very high that you know someone who uses, or has used, the services and programs that UWGMC supports. Funded solutions make a difference for McHenry County residents in all stages of life. From providing books to children starting at the time of birth to providing dementia care for senior adults, UWGMC makes investments in the community that improve lives, provide hope, and create a path forward to lasting change.

Key areas of focus for annual grants are:
1) Advancing Youth Opportunity
2) Increasing Access to Healthcare and Mental Healthcare
3) Increasing Financial Security
4) Senior Care
5) Enhancing Community Resilience

UWGMC is the McHenry County affiliate for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library (DPIL). Every child in McHenry County from birth to five years old can be signed up to receive a free book in the mail every month. UWGMC pays for the books and maintains the local database and then the books are mailed from the DPIL fulfillment center in Tennessee.

The UWGMC 211 hotline is available 24/7 to provide information on available health and human services programs in McHenry County, Operators are also equipped to provide caregivers with added support on navigating the challenges of caring for a loved one who is aging or has physical disabilities. In the event of a local disaster, the 211 hotline will be updated with real-time information to keep residents informed and enable first responders to fully concentrate on those in need of emergency assistance.

Examples of the impact awarded program grants have include: reduced cost childcare, after school programs, scholarships for summer camps and scouts, mentors, mental health counseling, free and reduced cost access to healthcare, financial counseling, early childhood education, books, transitional and emergency housing, sexual assault counseling and support, court appointed advocates for foster children, pro-bono legal support, dementia care, senior care, veteran support, disaster recovery, and more.

Grants are awarded each year based upon the greatest needs of the community as assessed by application reviews and presentations evaluated by panels made up of local volunteers and the Board of Directors. Funds stay local to improve lives in McHenry County.