United Way of Metropolitan Chicago recently launched the first phase of the United Way Latino Initiative, an innovative plan aimed at strengthening Latino families by helping their youth transition successfully into adulthood. United Way supporter, ComEd will provide financial support for the first year of the Latino Initiative by sponsoring a Challenge Grant, which matches 2 to 1 all new and increased donations of $1,000 or more. ComEd also sponsored the Latino Initiative launch reception, Unidos En Accion, at the National Museum of Mexican Art on October 16, 2007 to recognize the collaborative efforts of all those involved in setting the foundation for the Initiative.

How does the initiative work?

During Phase 1 of the Initiative, building a collaborative community partnership, health and human service care providers will engage communities in developing workable projects that include youth participation, evaluation of community assets and needs and planning priorities. United Way will grant funding awards of at least $600,000 over four years to the programs that best address the Latino Initiative outcomes, so that Latino youth:

• Understand the long-term impact of staying in school;
• Create a healthy identity that bridges two cultures;
• Understand and assume healthy family and social roles.

“ComEd is dedicated to supporting initiatives, such as the Latino Initiative, designed to make a significant impact on the diverse communities we serve,” said Fidel Marquez, Vice President of External Affairs for ComEd. “As a long-time partner of the United Way, we are confident in their ability to execute this initiative, which we expect to benefit generations to come.”

Last year United Way convened an advisory committee to develop a plan for creating lasting positive change in Chicagoland’s burgeoning Latino community. Working with experts representing corporations, academic institutions, foundations, advocacy groups, and United Way agency partners, the committee has identified gaps in service for this population.

The resulting Initiative will help Latino youth make a successful transition to adulthood. The focus will be on youth living in areas experiencing rapid growth, where the capacity for social services has been stretched thin by population boom. Stakeholders involved in the program development process will include parents and youth, health and human service agencies, churches, schools, law enforcement, and government.

Latinos are the largest minority group in metropolitan Chicago, with suburban populations currently on the rise. As of 2005, 54 percent of Latinos living in the Chicagoland area actually live in the suburbs. When surveyed, 76 percent of nonprofits that applied for United Way support said growth of the Latino population has affected how they run programs.

How do agencies apply for funding?

United Way Latino Initiative funding applications were made available beginning October 21, 2007. Submission of completed applications will be due close of business on December 30, 2007. United Way partner agencies and other health and human service care agencies that are eligible to apply will receive formal notification of the application process, technical assistance and other important dates. The agencies awarded funding will be announced in the spring of 2008.

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The Latino Initiative application can be downloaded by clicking here.

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For information on the application process, please contact CJ Jones, United Way director of outreach & diversity, by phone, (312) 906-2302, or email, cjones@uw-mc.org.
 

Why are people so naturally generous? That’s the question the Chicago Tribune tackles in its editorial, How to Get a Charity Buzz.

What answer did the editor propose? “Because it feels good to help.”

If you donate to charity, you already knew that, of course. It does feel good. But earlier this year, a team of economists and psychologists at the University of Oregon reported in the journal Science that they’d peered inside the brain and confirmed the connection. They found that writing a check to a favorite charity activates regions of the brain associated with pleasure.

In other words, there’s a charity buzz.

The article then goes on to mention United Way specifically:

This time of year, there’s a simple way to help many people. Maybe you want to help battered women seeking shelter or a young person who needs mentoring to stay on track for graduation. Or someone suffering substance-abuse problems who needs treatment or job training. Seniors who need help with transportation to stay independent. Working families that need job training or child care. Kids who need dental care. People who need help finding affordable housing or an extra meal a week. Teens and adults who need mental health counseling.

United Way of Metropolitan Chicago helps them all, and many more, through its many generous donors.

Donating to United Way is the best way to maximize that great “charity buzz”. To read the full text, please visit the Chicago Tribune website.