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Naperville United Way and United Way of the DuPage Area today announce their merger, which will be completed by October 1, 2008, to provide greater efficiency and add more resources to help local residents in their time of need. The new United Way of the DuPage Area will be the largest, most comprehensive in the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago system.

“We initiated this merger as part of our strategic imperative to better serve the people of Naperville,” said Chip Downing, board president of United Way Naperville and divisional senior vice president of Great American Insurance. “Not only does this consolidation add financial and people resources to supporting health and human service programs but it also makes it easier for our agency partners, who are stretched more than ever to provide help to individuals and families in need.”

The Naperville and DuPage United Ways support 30 and 44 agencies, respectively, 21 of which they both share in common; these agencies will now have a central point for funding requests and other support efforts.

“We are thrilled to hear that two of our most important community partners are coming together,” said Carol Simler, executive director of DuPage PADS, a leading agency that is funded by both United Ways. “Each of these United Ways is a leader in our health and human service work and this consolidation will make that work easier, giving us more time for collaboration instead of paperwork. With this streamlining, they can focus more on finding resources, which moving forward, may be one of our area’s most critical issues.”

“By consolidating these two strong organizations, we can streamline operations and devote more donor dollars to touch and improve more people’s lives,” said Walker Geyer, United Way of the DuPage Area board president and managing director of Capital Markets for Paramount Lodging Advisors. “Combining forces frees up staff time from administrative concerns to focus more time and energy on engaging our community to advance the common good.”

According to both United Ways, there is great overlap in the human service issues people in their communities face and the programs that best address them. With demographics shifts, the aging of the population and decreasing government funding adding more pressure for support, this consolidation allows United Way to proactively build resources and partnerships that help the combined communities flourish.

“What changes,” said Mr. Geyer, “is around simplifying processes and eliminating duplication. What doesn’t change is the local nature of our work, improving lives in the same communities we have always focused on.” These communities include Addison, Bensenville, Bloomingdale, Burr Ridge, Carol Stream, Clarendon Hills, Darien, Downers Grove, Elmhurst, Glen Ellyn, Glendale Heights, Hinsdale, Itasca, Keeneyville, Lisle, Lombard, Medinah, Naperville, Oak Brook, Oakbrook Terrace, Roselle, Villa Park, Warrenville, West Chicago, Westmont, Wheaton, Willowbrook, Winfield, Wood Dale, and Woodridge.

Mr. Downing said, “Together, we will invest more than $4 million in local health and human care programs in the coming year. Local volunteers in each of our communities will continue to determine where the funding should be directed based on the priority needs in each community. United Way does not exist without the invaluable leadership of residents like Mayor Pradel who will serve as an honorary board member of the newly merged organization.”

Mr. Downing also confirmed continuation of the annual garden sculpture program that has become a Naperville tradition. The 2008 launch is scheduled for 5:00 PM on May 15 at Edward Hospital where the preview party will feature this year’s sculptures theme, “Garden Party.”

Naperville United Way’s 2008 Outdoor Art Garden Party will showcase 39 colorful fiberglass sculptures, including ladybugs, frogs, benches and butterflies. Any one interested in the Garden Party pieces can place their bids Sept. 12th during an auction at Bobak’s Signature Events in Woodridge.

Individual ticket price is $100, and a table (seats 8 individuals) is $750. All auction proceeds benefit United Way of the DuPage Area.

Please RSVP no later than September 5th
630.369.2676 or kchval@uwmc.org

For more information, visit Naperville United Way’s website.

Please note that to apply for funding you must fill out a Request for Information (RFI). Requests will not be accepted after August 8. No applications will be accepted without a completed RFI.

To apply for funds, contact Tom Galassini, Director of Agency Relations at tgalassini(at)uw-mc.org or call his direct line: 312-906-2360.

For more information, please click on the link below.

http://www.uw-mc.org/programfunding.html

Our annual meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 18th at 6:30 P.M. at The Community House in Hinsdale (415 West Eighth Street, Hinsdale, IL 60521).

Although both parents of this Warrenville family were working, they had a very meager income to support their family of five. The family applied for food stamps and submitted all of the information requested of them. Nevertheless, instead of receiving food stamps, they received a notice that their application was denied because they did not provide the information required.

Initially, a Prairie State attorney advised the parents on how to pursue the appeal on their own. When the clients went to the hearing, they were told that the food stamps were denied because they were over income. This was an error, and the clients were able to submit the necessary information and get the food stamp application approved, but at a much lower amount than expected.

At this point, a Prairie State attorney intervened. The attorney collected the necessary information from the clients and calculated the amount of Food Stamps the family was entitled to receive. The attorney then contacted the DHS caseworker directly, and as a result, the household’s food stamp benefits were more than doubled.

With support from United Way of the DuPage Area, these benefits made a substantial difference in providing for the basic nutrition of the household members.

The April Board Meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 16th.

The next Board Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 19th.

The Community Impact Steering Committee meeting scheduled for Thursday, March 13th has been cancelled.  The next meeting will be held on Thursday, April 3rd.