IN THIS ISSUE:
  • DAYS OF CARING: Volunteers needed
  • Marathon awards "211" grant to UWCC!
  • Agency Spotlight: THE GUARDIAN CENTER
  • "Reflections" by Bryan Barbee
  • Need Help? 211
  • Monthly Food Resources
  • Summer Movie Series, Ramblin' Rose, Cancer Comfort Project, & LCAEC Basket Binga
Marathon Donates to Support United Way of Crawford County and 211

The Marathon Corporation’s Community Investment Program recently donated $10,000 to the United Way of Crawford County to support the 211 program in Crawford County. 211 is a vital service that connects millions of people to help every year by providing 24-hour access via a toll-free number or internet to non-emergency help.  A live operator is available to give confidential assistance in finding local health and human services.

The Marathon grant will help UWCC maintain and expand the 211 program by providing the cost of the service for the coming year and spreading awareness of the service using several medias.  United Way initiated this service in 2021 to address the lack of a central information service. Crawford County is the only county in east central Illinois where this service is now available.  Residents can reach this service by dialing 211 on their home or cell phone or by going to the online portal www.findhelp211.org.
  
United Way plans to distribute 211 informational materials.  This grant will fund educational materials describing how to access the service.  Barbara Shimer, United Way Resource Representative said, “Marathon and United Way have joined forces to touch the lives of potentially every Crawford County resident by providing this valuable resource in time of need.”  211 provides information about the many different local agencies and programs available, their hours and requirements, agencies that serve Crawford County with a wide variety of services, and national hot-lines.  

We are proud to partner with Marathon in providing the important service and spreading to word to our community.  
The Guardian Center

The Guardian Center was incorporated as a nonprofit 501c3 in 1998 and began providing services to children and families in 1999. The Crawford County Satellite (previously named Healing Harbor) was funded in 2010 and houses a Forensic Interviewer/Prevention Specialist and an Advocate Caseworker. These professionals ensure that children and families receive child focused services to help them in healing from abuse. The Guardian Center seeks to serve children 0-18 reported as physically or sexually abused within an 8 county region of Southeastern Illinois. The goals of the Guardian Center are to
1.To support forensic interviews and advocacy for children reported as sexually or physically abused.  
2. To provide counseling and medical referrals and 
3. To provide team case review for children reported as abused to ensure all professionals are on the same page and children are receiving the services they need and do not fall through the cracks of the system.


Bryan Barbee
United Way of Crawford County
Board President
WHY?
Born and raised in Oklahoma, I found my way to our Crawford County community in May 1994. I am proud to serve our community and carryout UWCCs mission of improving lives by mobilizing the caring power of all residents in our Crawford County communities. 
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Because the need in Crawford County is enormous.  

Because gifts to the United Way delivers results.  Every UWCC partner program must demonstrate measurable and lasting results – to ensure that contributions make the greatest impact possible.  It’s not about how many kids attend an after-school program, it’s about how many of those kids stay in school to graduate.  It’s not about how many people receive meals at a soup kitchen, it’s about how many of them no longer need the services because they’ve become self-sufficient.

Because no agency or program can do it alone.  It takes coordination and an entire network of programs to keep our communities strong – and that’s what the United Way of Crawford County provides.  We have a network of relationships with community leaders, health and human service experts, hundreds of volunteers and donors uniquely positioned to provide the leadership and resources to get things done. 

Because we all benefit from United Way.  From programs that help our neighbors and even our own families cope in the face of unexpected crisis, to programs that help working families overcome life’s challenges and remain self-sufficient – we have a wealth of community support services that has improved the quality of life in Crawford County.  It is up to each of us to protect and sustain it.

Because, of your support, United Way changes people’s lives. United Way donations have made it possible for people to have the basic needs in life, children to succeed in school, families to have financial stability, and everyone to have good health.

Because your donation does more than fund programs. The support you give United Way of Crawford County helps us leverage other funds – grants and business partnerships. The funds UWCC gives to agencies helps them leverage other funds because foundations and other funders understand the oversight given to these organizations.

Because our gift change people’s lives. United Way donations have made it possible for people to have the basic needs in life, children to succeed in school, families to have financial stability, and good health.
 
Thank you to the donor who made the movie sponsorship possible!
United Way of Crawford County
PO Box 3
Robinson, Illinois. 62454
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