United Way Blackhawk Region

Financial stability: uwbr is focused on ensuring individuals and families have their basic needs met and achieve and sustain self-sufficiency. In 2022, uwbr allocated $785,281 to 25 programs which connect people with critical resources for emergency or basic needs; assist in identifying and overcoming obstacles/barriers to self-sufficiency; increase access to skills training, education and other support systems that enable people to achieve self-sufficiency.

Health: uwbr supports programs to help residents of rock county, wi and northern winnebago county, il to enjoy healthy lives. In 2022, uwbr allocated $219,384 to 8 programs which increase awareness and access to healthcare resources and promote healthy lives through education and activities.

Education: uwbr envisions a Region where children and youth will have supportive learning and development opportunities to grow and become responsible adults. In 2022, uwbr allocated $605,684 to 6 programs which support children and youth through early learning and care services; before and after school programs; character and leadership development and recreational experiences; emphasize academic success for children of all ages; expand opportunities for children and youth to bond with peers, mentors, and positive role models.

Other programs: uwbr serves as a convener to bring together the community to identify underlying causes of problems in our community and develop strategies and partnerships to address those issues. As such, uwbr leads and/or serves on approximately a dozen local task forces aligned with health, education, and/or financial stability. Annually, uwbr hosts its day of caring, a day of service whereas hundreds of volunteers complete community service projects at nonprofit agencies across the Region. Uwbr funds 211, an anonymous 24/7 helpline that connects callers with local programs and resources. In partnership with United Way of Wisconsin and United ways across the state, uwbr publishes the alice report alice, an acronym for asset limited, income constrained, employed, is a new Way of defining and understanding the struggles of households that earn above the federal poverty level, but not enough to afford a bare-bones household budget. Uwbr is the financial sponsor for dolly parton's imagination library in three communities of the Blackhawk Region. Enrolled children are gifted a free, age-appropriate book in the mail each month until their 5th birthday. In collaboration with scholastic book fairs, uwbr sponsored book fairs at elementary schools in south beloit, il. Uwbr is installing born learning trails across the Region. Born learning trails are a series of 10 interactive signs that offer fun, active learning activities for young children and their families. Lastly, local nonprofits can rent office space or meeting space in the United Way community services building at a reduced rate.