Last summer, United Way launched the implementation phase of the African American Initiative (AAI), a program designed to help young African American males transition successfully to adulthood. United Way is investing $1.9 million in the implementation of these community activities.

Since their selection, the five agency partners who are participating in the initiative have been hard at work implementing their programs. In Englewood, Team Englewood is working on conflict resolution programs and student achievement. In Grand Boulevard, Centers for New Horizons is organizing youth to become leaders in their community. In Greater Roseland, Metropolitan Family Services is working on a unique family group mentoring initiative. In North Lawndale, Lawndale Christian Health Center and Young Men’s Educational Network (YMEN) are working on a comprehensive mentoring program for young men. In Rogers Park, Organization of the Northeast is mobilizing community stakeholders around specific issues that affect youth.

All five agency partners will conduct mid-year reports early this spring. Volunteers will evaluate the progress that programs are making and how well they are meeting their goals. The final phase of the Initiative, scheduled for 2009, is to evaluate and measure the outcomes for all participating young boys in the program, as well as the development of a sustainability plan to continue these community-wide activities through partnerships and corporate support.

View the newest AAI video on Google Videos.
Read more about AAI here.

Because of you, Tony’s life is back on track. Hear more from Tony himself about his incredible story.

Updated from Families Need Your Help: Adopt-A-Family is Back for 2007.

When Calla, an annual workplace contributor, began giving to United Way years ago, she never realized she might find herself one day coming to United Way for help.

But after an illness that left her unable to work for a year, her bills were tightening up and she didn’t know how she would be able to provide Christmas gifts for her family. Luckily, her sister told her about the United Way Adopt-a-Family program.

Thanks to the generosity of an Adopt-a-Family donor, she was able to pick up new sweaters and gift cards to buy presents for her children to unwrap on Christmas morning. Once again healthy and with a new job, she looks forward to being caught up with her bills soon.

Calla’s family is one of more than 80 families (including 282 children) who were able to have a holiday meal, presents for their children and warm clothing for the winter, thanks to the generosity of United Way Adopt-a-Family sponsors.

In total, we raised $5,491, plus $1,878 worth of winter apparel. United Way used the cash donations donations to purchase $25 gift cards redeemable at community partners such as Target and Jewel, allowing the families to secure exactly what each member needs.

From all the families and everyone at United Way, thank you!

For the past five months, I have been lucky enough to represent the Tribune Company as a loaned executive with United Way of Metropolitan Chicago. The experience of being an LE is, as all things, what you make it to be, but I like to think that I have been surrounded with the best group of loaned executives yet. We have been like a family since our first week of training and accomplished quite a bit during our time at United Way.

The responsibilities of the loaned executive position include: administrative duties, assisting fundraising managers and even volunteering. Plenty of opportunity exists to go outside this job description, though. My colleagues have often gone above and beyond, such as giving those *ehem, cough* 4 a.m. speeches at the post offices. The LE’s also formed a fundraising committee—complete with an accountant. With our committee, were able to raise $2,300 to help make an impact in Chicagoland!

Personally, the LE program has really inspired me to become a more caring and focused person. It has also helped me to develop as a young professional. The unique position of being an LE has allowed me to work simultaneously in nonprofit and corporate environments. I was able to network with employees of my sponsor company, Tribune, as well as within quite a few other large organizations in Chicago. And with all the campaign events I have participated in or in some cases headed, I have also been able to dramatically improve my leadership, time management and organization abilities. Importantly, the United Way staff has also helped me use my newly acquired contacts and skills to plan the next step in my career.

It can be very easy to lose sight of the important parts of life; our friends and family, being a kind person and making a difference in our communities. It has been refreshing to work day after day with a group and program that reflect and cherish these ideas. Because of this, I will always appreciate my time as a loaned executive with United Way.