This holiday season, support our neighbors who are struggling to find safe, stable housing.
This holiday season, United Way of Kankakee and Iroquois Counties is launching a “Home for the Holidays” fundraising campaign. It began on Giving Tuesday, December 3, and runs until December 17 – United Way’s 83rd birthday, and the United Way board and staff have a goal of raising $8,000 to bolster their Stable Housing Impact Fund.
Housing is truly a cornerstone of a person’s health, well-being, and financial security. Without stable housing, families struggle to meet basic needs, jeopardizing their physical and mental health, education, and future opportunities. Amid today’s economic challenges, we cannot ignore the impact of this housing crisis.
The need is enormous. United Way’s 211 data offers a small window into this need locally. Since January, 930 Kankakee County residents and 113 Iroquois County residents have contacted 211 seeking housing support. Housing and shelter account for nearly 40 percent of all local referrals made, consistently ranking as the number one expressed need the past four years. Alarmingly, Kankakee County now ranks fifth in Illinois for housing assistance requests via the 211 system, even before adjustment for population size.
Donations to United Way’s Stable Housing Fund, a subset of United Way’s Financial Stability Impact Fund, support housing and shelter services for individuals and families right here in Kankakee and Iroquois Counties. During the past five years, this particular fund has distributed more than $115,000 in local grant support, but the need continues to grow and requires a larger investment for years to come.
Every gift to the “Home for the Holidays” campaign will be designated for area nonprofit programs that provide safe and stable housing for those in need. Donations may be made online at www.myunitedway.org/housing or by mail at P.O. Box 1286, Kankakee, IL 60901. Checks may be made payable to United Way of Kankakee and Iroquois Counties. Please label your support with “Home for the Holidays” to direct that donation to local shelter and housing initiatives.