SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - Every three years, the United Way of Central Illinois determines what its funding priorities should be for the upcoming years. To serve the community most effectively, United Way turns to community leaders to determine what areas have the most critical needs.
"We have four main impact areas: youth opportunity, healthy communities. financial security and community resiliency," said Tina Prather, with United Way of Central Illinois. "We will focus on the four areas and really work towards being able to enhance our community and make sure everybody thrives."
As part of its community listening session, United Way shared statistics regarding those it serves in Sangamon and Menard Counties. Some of the more surprising statistics to participants were:
- The median income in Sangamon County for white residents is $78,517, while it is $29,482 for Black residents
- 41.6% of District 186 students missed 10% or more school days
- Wait times for behavioral health services in both counties can be up to nine months
Based on what they learned, participants formulated plans that they felt would help combat some of these issues. These included mentorship programs, more effective public transportation and increased funding for mental health initiatives.
"Our mission is to bring together the community to identify the critical needs in our community, and then develop priorities and then seek out programs that can best address those priorities to move the needle," said Karen Gedrose, Director of Community Initiatives at United Way of Central Illinois. "It really is the whole community coming together."
United Way leaders will use the input from the listening sessions and their online community survey to determine their funding priorities for 2026 to 2029.
United Way of Central Illinois is hosting another community listening session at 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, at the United Way of Central Illinois office. For more details, visit the United Way website.
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