Program areas at HOIUW
Financial Stability Impact Area leads to increased independence. The Heart of Illinois United Way is focused on ensuring individuals and families achieve financial stability. To ensure people can thrive, our work focuses on providing opportunities to get them on their feet again and helping during emergencies and crises. United Way funded financial stability programs provide: Basic needs and support for housing and more, Work-force skills to improve employability, life-skills and financial management education and legal assistance to address individual and family crises. Here are just a few ways Heart of Illinois United Way programs are positively impacting financial stability in central Illinois: 95% of adults who successfully completed United Way funded job training or coaching programs improved their employment readiness, 98% of adults who participated in United Way funded life-skills programs maximized their independence, and 96% of low-income adults who participated in United Way funded housing assistance programs improved their safety and wellness to maximize their independence by utilizing community resources.
Health Impact Area - Access to healthcare promotes wellness for all ages. The Heart of Illinois United Way is focused on ensuring the people of central Illinois have access to quality, affordable health care. The health and well-being of our citizens is a strong indicator of the health of our community. United Way funded health programs provide: Nutrition, physical fitness, and substance abuse education to improve healthy choices, screenings and treatment for physical and mental health needs to improve overall health, support and crisis intervention to improve individual and family stability. Here are just a few ways Heart of Illinois United Way Community Impact Fund programs are positively impacting health in central Illinois: 97% of families receiving United Way funded case management services improved their health and well-being through coordination of services and community support, 82% of youth and adults who participated in United Way funded health education classes increased their knowledge about healthy eating, exercise and more, 92% of youth and adults who received treatment from United Way funded health programs improved their physical health
Education Impact Area - Quality education is essential to earning a livable wage. The Heart of Illinois United Way works to ensure that our children are ready to success when they enter kindergarten and people of all ages are prepared for work, post secondary education and life. By preparing children to enter school and providing them ongoing resources throughout their education, they will be able to reach their academic and career potential. United Way funded education programs provide: Ages Pre-K through adult with literacy success, after-school tutoring that leads to grade promotion, mentoring to improve grades and social-emotional skills and parenting skills to build healthy parent-child relationships. Here are just a few ways Heart of Illinois United Way Community Impact Fund programs are positively impacting education in central Illinois: 92% of preschool students enrolled in United Way funded programs developed and maintained core skills in the areas of social-emotional learning, literacy, and math, 91% of youth in United Way funded tutoring and after-school programs achieved grade-level academic success in reading and math, 98% of adults 16 and older increased their knowledge through United Way funded academic and vocational training.
Support Student Success (S3) is a collaborative program between Heart of Illinois United Way and area schools to promote student success via counseling, school programs, mentoring students in kindergarten through middle school. 2-1-1- is a 24/7 information and referral call center with a website for information the community can access. Callers can get locations of assistance in their community for housing, food, utilities, counseling services, or other information as needed. Donor designated gifts are sent to 501c3 charities according to donor's wishes. These funds are used to support program services at each charity. Heart of Illinois United Way sends donor directed contributions to area 501c3 organizations.