Blog

April 1, 2021

  The Four Ways You’re Helping Here in the St. Louis Region   As a community, we are all interconnected. Each of our actions impacts others. We rely on each other to thrive, and when one of us is helped, we are all lifted.   That means that you – yes, you – are an […]

March 12, 2021

  What your fellow Leadership Giving Society members are reading March is National Reading Month – the perfect time to fall back in love with reading or find a new title to add to your list.   We asked some of our Leadership Giving Society members for recommendations. Here’s our list of books to […]

  What your fellow de Tocqueville Society members are reading March is National Reading Month – the perfect time to fall back in love with reading or find a new title to add to your list.   We asked some of our de Tocqueville Society members for recommendations. Here’s our list of books to […]

  Our National Reading Month book picks   March is National Reading Month – the perfect time to fall back in love with reading or discover something new.   Reading and a love of learning can help children and adults reach their potential, as well as fostering empowerment and opening up new perspectives.   Looking […]

March 10, 2021

      How United Way helps kids build critical reading skills     Everyone deserves access to quality education and the opportunity to reach their potential.   However, 61% of kids from low-income families do not have any books at home, according to the Literacy Project Foundation. With nearly 1 in 5 kids across […]

February 12, 2021

    A New Normal   For nearly a year, we have been impacted by incredible challenges stemming from a global pandemic. Hundreds of thousands of lives have been lost and millions of Americans have lost their jobs and their livelihood. Our St. Louis region has not been immune to any of these struggles.   […]

February 11, 2021

    Meeting the Challenge: United Way helps people ‘live their best possible lives’   The following blog post was originally published in The Edwardsville Intelligencer, reported by Scott Marion.   EAST ALTON — In a year unlike any other, the United Way continued to answer the needs of the community.   Despite the challenges […]

February 10, 2021

  NEWS RELEASE Agencies receive more than $46,000 to address the digital divide   ST. LOUIS (January 21, 2021) — United Way of Greater St. Louis recently awarded 10 one-time grants totaling $46,914 to local nonprofits, community agencies and faith-based organizations working to bridge the digital divide in the St. Louis region. In total, the […]

February 8, 2021

  United Way 2-1-1 to the Rescue! Mike’s Story Mike’s father-in-law had an urgent need, and thanks to United Way 2-1-1, he was able to get it addressed.   Last year, Mike’s father-in-law, John, experienced a significant decline in health. So much so that he required a wheelchair to leave home. Unfortunately, his house contains […]

  United Way 2-1-1 Got Mary Back On Her Feet After grief and homelessness, Mary* was able to find resources through a friendly United Way 2-1-1 operator.   Several years ago, Mary lost a family member and had lost the extra support she was receiving to care for another family member. She was unable to […]

    Just a call, click or text away – and ready for anything United Way 2-1-1 is the crucial tool that our community needs to help local people navigate new and ongoing challenges. With a database of more than 24,000 programs and services throughout Missouri and Southwest Illinois, 2-1-1 connects local people with free, […]

January 27, 2021

  NEWS RELEASE Free Tax Preparation Available for Local Low-Income Households   ST. LOUIS (January 26, 2021) — United Way 2-1-1 is partnering with local tax coalitions to provide free tax preparation services to St. Louis-area families with a household income of $57,000 or less in 2020. Local residents can dial 2-1-1 or visit 211helps.org […]

January 15, 2021

    How mentoring helps local kids build a brighter future   At United Way, we believe every young person deserves the opportunity to build a bright future for themselves. But kids from at-risk communities face hurdles (such as poverty, instability at home or lack of access to critical resources) that could make it more […]

December 10, 2020

    Six accomplishments our community can celebrate in 2020   2020 has been a year like no other. However, our community came together for the good of all, even when faced with incredibly difficult circumstances – circumstances we’ve faced for centuries, and circumstances new to us all.   Here are six incredible achievements our […]

November 13, 2020

    Your holiday giving roundup   With Thanksgiving and the holiday season just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to give back and help the community.   Giving the gift of help and hope is especially important this holiday season. Because of COVID-19, many of our neighbors are facing food and housing insecurity, […]

November 4, 2020

    United Way and Labor movement unite to support Southwest Illinois community   The following blog post originally ran in the Edwardsville Intelligencer.   United Way and organized labor first teamed up when our community and nation needed it: in 1941, when the world was at war.   Now, almost 80 years later, […]

June 24, 2020

  ST. LOUIS (June 24, 2020) —David Steward, founder and chairman of World Wide Technology; Kathy Osborn, president and CEO of the Regional Business Council; Penny Pennington, managing partner of Edward Jones; and Warner Baxter, chairman, president, and CEO of Ameren Corporation, will serve as spokespersons for United Way of Greater St. Louis’s annual campaign […]

June 10, 2020

  United Way of Greater St. Louis awards $720,000 in COVID-19 Response grants Organization has invested more than $1.2 million into local nonprofits since crisis began in March   ST. LOUIS (June 8, 2020) – United Way of Greater St. Louis today announced it has awarded 50 nonprofits with response grants totaling $720,000 to address […]

May 19, 2020

    Supporting essential workers   From healthcare workers to grocery store employees to bus drivers, essential workers are keeping our region safe and healthy right now. But with kids home from school and many childcare facilities closed, parents need a safe place to send their children so they can continue to work.   With […]

    Critical support for East St. Louis   East St. Louis and its surrounding area are some of the most underserved communities in our region. With many families already facing limited access to transportation, childcare and grocery stores, COVID-19 has made it even harder for many to afford and access basic needs. Since the […]

    New hope for domestic violence survivors   Staying at home during the COVID-19 crisis may be the safest option for some, but that’s not the case for domestic violence survivors. Staying home means more time with their abuser, and all the stress of COVID-19 can trigger violence.   United Way 2-1-1 has actually […]

    Access to healthcare for immigrants   Immigrants and non-native English speakers are particularly vulnerable during the COVID-19 crisis. On top of social distancing, they face cultural, language and insurance barriers to receiving healthcare. Quality care is vital, especially for those who have had exposure to COVID-19.   United Way is stepping up to […]

April 17, 2020

    Twenty-one nonprofits serving Illinois residents receive $250,000 in emergency response funding United Way of Greater St. Louis awards local grants earmarked from the Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund   ST. LOUIS (April 14, 2020) – United Way of Greater St. Louis today announced it has awarded 21 nonprofits who serve Illinois residents with emergency […]

April 10, 2020

    5 Ways to Volunteer Virtually During COVID-19   Washing hands – check. Hand sanitizer – check. Social distancing – double-check. Volunteer opportunities – maybe? So many are managing the COVID-19 crisis for themselves and loved ones but are also wanting to help the community. Volunteering is challenging when group activities are restricted, but […]

April 8, 2020

  United Way awards 11 nonprofits with emergency response grants totaling $205,000 Funding backs organizations helping to alleviate hardships for families and communities impacted by COVID-19 crisis   ST. LOUIS (April 7, 2020) – United Way of Greater St. Louis today announced it has awarded 11 nonprofits with emergency response grants totaling $205,000 through Phase […]

March 27, 2020

    A note to you A note to you from Michelle D. Tucker, our president and CEO   Dear Greater St. Louis region,   When 2020 began, I, like many of you, was full of hope and excitement for the future of our region. While I continue to be full of hope and optimism, […]

March 4, 2020

  Unlocking the key to our region’s future through impact   United Way has proudly served the Missouri and Illinois region since 1922. We started as a volunteer-led organization raising money to help operate 40 nonprofits with one goal in mind: to help people live their best possible lives.   In 1922, the world was […]

February 18, 2020

  How United Way is building a more equitable community   For Sherita Haigler, United Way’s vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion, helping people live their best possible lives means looking at the possibilities.   “We don’t just want to meet a need, but how can we help people to thrive and move to […]

February 10, 2020

      A Love Letter to the St. Louis Region   Dear Greater St. Louis region,   There are so many reasons why we love you.   We’re spoiled by historical landmarks and cultural institutions, including our award-winning zoo in Forest Park and the ancient Cahokia Mounds.   Our sports fans have incredible spirit, […]

      United Way 2-1-1 Employee Helped Speak Hope And Life Into A Caller’s Situation     At United Way 2-1-1, trained professionals provide referrals to health and human services throughout Missouri and Southwest Illinois. With a database of more than 30,000 programs and services across Missouri and Southwest Illinois, 2-1-1 is the leader […]