United Way of Kenosha County

In 1923 eight agencies in Kenosha County joined together to form the community Chest to campaign once a year for funds for all. They were – St. Catherine’s Hospital, Kenosha Memorial Hospital , Salvation Army, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, American Legion, Carmelite Sisters and Kenosha Service Leagues. During the war years of the 40’s, we experience an increase in health agencies and many other appeal’s - The name of the Community chest was changed to War Fund and remained so during the duration of World War II. After the war, the War Fund was dissolved and we changed the name to Kenosha Community Fund and it remained so until 1959 when this organization was dissolved in favor a United Fund encompassing all of Kenosha County . The name changed once again in 1973, when the board of directors sought to broaden the scope of the mission and align with the national United Way movement.

United Way System

The United Way movement in this county and across the nation has impacted countless lives since its first inception back in the 1887 when a Denver priest, two ministers and a rabbi put their heads together to plan the first united campaign for 10 health rand welfare agencies. Little did they know that they were on the brink of producing one of the most important social inventions in America ’s history.

United Way has built a proud record. For more than a century, it has been a leading example of American’s most distinctive tradition – the impulse of Americans to act on their own on the problems of their communities. United Way has become much more than a fund raising vehicle. It is a unifying force in almost every American community – a place where community problems can be seen as a whole, a place where people can decide what kind of community response is most appropriate to the need. To learn more about the United Way Movement you may visit the United Way of America Website at http://national.unitedway.org/aboutuw/