West Suburban United Way wants you to know that we have completed our Community Investment process for this year.  Even with your generous contributions and support, along with many other investors, we were unable to sustain our support to our agencies at the same level as last year.

Because we had to slightly decrease our support, the dollars you gave are more important than ever to the 59 different programs at 28 different agencies.

Thanks to the support of our community investors, we have been able to provide:

• $26,125 so the homeless can have a safe place to sleep at night.
• $11,210 to help families in transition to establish new homes.
• $71,440 for parents to have a safe place for their children to while they are at work.
• $141,050 to help seniors to live full independent lives.
• $29,450 to help families with no health insurance receive the necessary medication and check ups.
• $153,828 in order to help those with disabilities and their families lead full productive lives.
• $189,050 so people suffering from mental illness, ADD, and ADHD have someone to turn to.
• $94,050 so our children can grow to be strong, self-reliant members of our community.
• $83,125 to teach teens responsibility, respect for themselves, and others, and to keep them out of gangs.
• $14,725 for families battling substance abuse.
• $4,750 so people who need legal assistance know their rights under the law.
• $14,725 to help victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
• $17,860 so our communities grow stronger even in these uncertain times.

Investing in your community is important now more than ever.  We could not accomplish all of these things without your continuing support.  Please share this with others so they become aware of the work that is being done in our community.

LIVE UNITED! GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER.

Our own Sharon Flaim, West Suburban United Way Board President, was named Volunteer of the Year by Community Support Services on November 15.

At an award reception held at the La Grange Park District, Sharon Flaim was honored for her volunteer efforts on behalf of one of our partner agencies, Community Support Services.

Community Support Services provides services to support the developmentally disabled and their families.

“What most people don’t realize is that Sharon volunteers not only as the President for West Suburban United Way, but also at about half of our partner agencies along with the Western Springs Rotary and the West Suburban Chamber of Commerce”, statedSharon Alberts, Chief Professional Officer of West Suburban United Way. “She is a truly remarkable woman.

Sharon believes in a strong community, and proves that by working tirelessly to make sure that our area communities are safe and healthy places for children and families.”

Sharon, a gourmet cook, has even offered to cater a luncheon for the partner agency staff that has the most growth in their United Way Campaign this year. “I believe in challenging people to do their best for others”, says Flaim. “And the only way I know how to do that is by setting an example in my own life.”

Congratulations Sharon for the much deserved recognition. And thank you for all that you do for so many.

“What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal.”
-Albert Pines

Every organization has Angels that go above & beyond the call…
You are one of our Angels!

We know you give out of concern for your neighbors and communities, not for recognition…
But you deserve to be recognized.

Please let us thank you at our West Suburban United Way’s Angels Reception with a light lunch at:

CEP Youth Leadership
4903 South Gilbert Avenue
(Across from Lyons Township High School-South Campus)
La Grange, Illinois 60525

Friday, September 28, 2007
11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

RSVP by September 25th
Sharon Flaim, Board President

West Suburban United Way wants you to know that we have completed our Community Investment process for this year. Through your generous contributions and support, along with our many other investors, we were able to increase our investments by $17,000 over last year.

That means you have helped to make a lasting impact in our community through aid to 68 different programs at 30 different agencies.

Thanks to the support of our community investors, we have been able to provide:

• $99,000 so our children can grow to be strong, self-reliant members of our community.
• $11,800 to help families in transition to establish new homes.
• $75,200 for parents to have a safe place for their children to be while they are at work.
• $159,000 to help seniors lead full independent lives.
• $31,000 to help families with no health insurance receive the necessary medication and checkups.
• $162,700 in order to help those with disabilities and their families lead full productive lives.
• $199,000 so people suffering from mental illness, ADD, and ADHD have someone to turn to.
• $87,500 to teach teens responsibility, respect for themselves, and others, and to keep them out of gangs.
• $15,500 for families battling substance abuse.
• $15,000 to help victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
• $5,000 so people who need legal assistance know their rights under the law.
• $27,500 so the homeless can have a safe place to sleep at night.
• $18,800 so our communities grow stronger everyday.

West Suburban United Way, a member of the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago, announced today it is investing over $907,000 into health and human service programs that serve Berwyn, Brookfield, Cicero, Countryside, Forest View, Hodgkins, Indian Head Park, La Grange, La Grange Highlands, La Grange Park, Lyons, McCook, North Riverside, Riverside, Stickney, Westchester, Western Springs, and Willow Springs.

The funds will be distributed, beginning July 1, 2007 to 31 partner agencies that provide a myriad of health and human services, including early childhood, mentoring and stay in school programs, specialized care for seniors and people with disabilities, temporary food and shelter for the homeless and victims of fires and domestic violence, and job placement and retention education for adults.

“Through leadership and caring, United Way helps people overcome life’s challenges and achieve self-sufficiency,” said West Suburban United Way Board President Sharon Flaim. “We focus on identifying the local health and human services needs and then we fund a network of programs and coordinate partnerships that best address the needs of our communities.”

Across the region, United Way focuses its funding and community coordination across five areas –affordable housing, access to healthcare, financial stability, educational development and crisis support. And it holds itself and its agency partners accountable for delivering results to ensure contributions made to United Way each year make the greatest impact possible.

United Way community volunteers channel their community knowledge and commitment to service to make informed program investment decisions that will improve lives and strengthen communities throughout the western suburbs of Cook County.

Region-wide, the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago is investing $56.5 million in the 238 communities it serves.

Come out and meet your fellow community members and to get to know the agencies that serve your community.

Chicago Children’s Museum
700 East Grand Avenue
At Navy Pier - Chicago

Thursday, October 4, 2007
5 pm - 8 pm