A Message From Our Leadership

Dear Supporters,

Over the past year, three words have stayed with us: joy, gratitude, and confidence.

Joy in the progress taking shape across neighborhoods throughout our region. Gratitude for the donors, volunteers, community leaders, partners, and supporters who make that progress possible. Confidence in what we can continue to accomplish together.

This year reminded us that our work is as important as ever. Time and again, we witnessed something remarkable: communities responding with resilience, determination, and hope. Amid economic uncertainty, policy changes, and increased pressures on families and community-based organizations that created new hurdles for many of our neighbors, our United Way community showed up.

Through initiatives like our Response Fund and ongoing efforts to leverage real-time 2-1-1 data, we worked alongside our partners to help meet immediate needs while advancing long-term solutions. At the same time, we celebrated powerful examples of what is possible when communities lead and supporters invest in their vision.

On the Southwest Side, a dream more than a decade in the making became reality with the opening of the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council Service Center. This vibrant community hub stands as a testament to resident leadership, partnership, and persistence.

On the South Side, United Way marked the opening of our new 211 Metro Chicago Contact Center at Xchange Chicago in Greater Grand Crossing. This move reflects our commitment to investing in communities while expanding access to critical resources for neighbors across the region.

We celebrated the launch of ChiNEXT, a program designed to inspire and prepare the next generation of civic leaders. Through hands-on learning and community engagement, young leaders are strengthening Chicago’s proud tradition of civic involvement and shaping its future.

We were also proud to welcome North Lawndale as the newest community in our Neighborhood Network Initiative. Together with residents and local partners, we are helping build on the neighborhood’s rich history and support a community-driven vision for the future.

These stories represent more than individual accomplishments. They reflect growing momentum across our region and demonstrate what can happen when people come together around a shared belief that every neighborhood deserves the opportunity to thrive.

Thank you for continuing to show up. Thank you for your generosity, your partnership, and your unwavering commitment to our neighbors. Every success highlighted in this report is possible because of you.

Together, we are creating stronger neighborhoods, responding to today’s challenges, and building a brighter future for our region. That is why we look ahead with joy for what we’ve achieved, gratitude for all who make this work possible, and confidence in all that we’ll accomplish together in the years ahead.