Everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive. That's why United Way mobilizes the caring power of neighbors, businesses, and community partners to lead transformational change here in Kenosha County.
From strengthening local resilience to advancing health, youth opportunity, and financial security, we're working towards a future where everyone can reach their full potential. Join us in Leading the Way to a better future for all.
Your gift makes an impact right here in Kenosha County. In the last year, your donations helped us to:
- Grant over $153,250 to local nonprofits
- Send 640 children free books monthly through the Imagination Library
- Provide 799 hours of literacy support to 99 students in kindergarten through third grade
- Connect 2,170 Kenosha County residents with local resources through IMPACT 211
- Mobilize VITA (Volunteer Tax Assistance Program) volunteers who processed 1,807 tax returns and brought over $1.19 million in refunds to Kenosha County residents
Your donations made all this happen. Imagine what we can do this year! You can change lives right here in Kenosha County through the Kenosha County United Way Campaign. Make your online pledge today.
Health
Kenosha Area Family and Aging Services, Inc. - Meals on Wheels
Kenosha YMCA - Abilities in Motion Adaptive Sports
LGBT Center of SE Wisconsin – Kenosha Youth Program
Shalom Center - Homeless Shelter Program
Sharing Center - Nutrition Program
Catholic Charities - Behavioral Health and Counseling Services
Hope Council – Parenting Time/Supervised Visit
Financial Stability
Asset Builders of America – Kenosha Youth POWER Academy of Finance
Kenosha Human Development Services – Homeless Rapid Rehousing Services
Kenosha Vocational Ministry - Vocational Ministry
Women and Children's Horizons - Legal Advocacy
Women and Children's Horizons - Children’s Services
Education
BeLEAF Survivors - S.C.A.N. Stop Child Abuse and Neglect
Boys and Girls Club of Kenosha - Youth Empowerment
ELCA Outreach Center - Summer Camp
Kenosha Literacy Council - Literacy for Life
Society's Assets: Art to Increase Disability Awareness
Overview:
The Meals on Wheels Program enables the elderly, the sick, and the disabled to remain in their own homes with help from people who care. Through Meals on Wheels, home-delivered meals are provided to persons who are unable to prepare their own meals and are at risk of going to a nursing home. Meals are nutritionally balanced, created for good taste, healthy portions and specific health needs in mind.
Outcomes:
There is a MOW client who calls in about once a month to tell us that she just loves the Meals on Wheels meals. Her name is Evelyn Beranek. She is 92 years old, and She lives alone. Her MOW driver/delivery folks are some of the only people she sees on a regular basis. She’s always so grateful for her meals and the services she gets from KAFASI. Evelyn has told us: “I just want you to know that the meal today was especially delicious! It was pasta and the sauce was so good! It really hit the spot. I’m so thankful for you all. You’re all so nice to me when I call you too.” Evelyn is exactly the kind of person this program matters too most. Not only do we provide daily nutrition, but we are a touchstone for her in the community. She is a precious reminder of why this program is so important.
Overview:
Catholic Charities' Community Counseling program provides quality, culturally specific, bilingual (in English and Spanish) mental health services at low cost or no cost to individuals, couples, and families affected by poverty in southeastern Wisconsin. We prioritize meeting the mental health needs of low-income adults, children, and families experiencing emotional distress. Catholic Charities serves the mental health needs of Kenosha County residents of all faiths, ages, abilities, backgrounds, and financial circumstances.
A loss of funding could limit our ability to retain and hire professional staff members, especially with a Statewide lack of mental health professionals and competition from larger healthcare institutions, schools, and public health that can provide higher salaries. This takes services away from already underserved populations in our communities. We rely on the generosity of community members to meet the needs of people living in Kenosha.
Outcomes:
Our goal is to help clients live healthier by increasing self-sufficiency and family cohesiveness. Our target population for mental and behavioral health services are adults and families impacted by poverty and those not being served by other community providers or programs which includes the local Spanish speaking population.
Approximately 70% of Catholic Charities Community Counseling clients in Kenosha identify as Hispanic/Latino, 25% as Caucasian and 3% as African American. Nearly one-third of our Kenosha clients are pre-teens and teenagers, 15% are ages 20-34, 40% are 35-54, and 16% are 55 or older. As the only provider of free bilingual counseling services, serving the Spanish speaking population will continue to be a priority.
Overview:
Funds are needed to provide LGBTQ+ Youth Programs that are desperately needed for the residents of the City and County of Kenosha. There is a strong need for youth to connect in person with one another and we want to create more welcoming spaces for that to occur. The needs of our community are too great for us not to stretch, and increase our capacity to serve more people in our community.
Outcomes:
The nearest youth programs are held from our location in Racine through virtual an in-person programming. This new Kenosha program would create an in-person support group, activities like going bowling, playing board games or learning about healthy dating, helping to plan youth events like the Equality Prom or an inter-generational project. The program will create fun and supportive in-person activities for youth ages 14-18.To build networks of support between the Center, youth, parents, schools, and the community. To create an environment where youth can develop social skills, make friends and reduce anxiety, depression, isolation, and self-harm.