The Board of Directors of the North Suburban United Way appreciates your visit to our website! Recently the United Ways serving the communities of Bannockburn, Riverwoods, Deerfield, Northbrook, Glenview and Golf merged to form the North Suburban United Way. This was done to ensure that even more of your contributions go directly to those who need them by cutting duplication and overhead. All campaign fundraising and all funding distribution decisions still are made by volunteers — your friends and neighbors. All money raised locally will stay here, to serve our residents and those who work here.

Joblessness, substance abuse, domestic violence - they all sound like something that happens someplace else. But we at United Way can assure you they happen here too, as the demand for services that we fund continues to mount. Actually, you probably don’t need me to tell you about those problems, as everyone seems to have a relative, friend or neighbor who is wrestling with financial, emotional or health issues.

In the past, many of these same people could be counted on to help family, friends and neighbors in time of need, but now it’s difficult enough just keeping their own lives and families together. But it’s not just them. Our funded agencies also are feeling the squeeze from lower corporate contributions and reduced government support.

The consolidation was done in order to improve efficiency and maximize the positive impact that the donations entrusted to us deliver. Reduction of expenses and improved operating efficiencies were primary reasons for the consolidation, but retaining our focus on the needs of the local communities remains the highest priority.

Our community assessment process is one of the vehicles which makes this happen. It is of utmost importance that we understand the needs of the communities we serve. The North Suburban United Way collaborates with agencies, schools, businesses, faith-based groups, the government, donors and other community leaders to make sure support networks and community systems are functioning well and helping people succeed. This is the backbone of how we select which programs are funded. These programs then address a wide range of needs from single communities to our entire service area. Our donors should be assured that their donations to the North Suburban United Way are the most effective contribution they can make to help build strong communities.