GURNEE – United Way of Lake County has awarded $120,000 in the second round of Lake County COVID-19 Community Response Fund grants to eight local nonprofit organizations.
This grant cycle focused on agencies providing emergency housing, including rent and utility assistance, and essential basic needs for children and families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The second round of grant recipients are:
• A Safe Place, to provide emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence and their families in response to a dramatically increased number of incidents, including rental assistance, utility assistance, and services to help shelter-in-place safely.
• Catholic Charities, to support its Emergency Assistance Program that gives monetary assistance to families so they can pay their utilities and stay in their homes or get into secure housing rather than becoming homeless.
• ChildServ, to provide direct assistance with formula, diapers and pull-ups, baby wipes, food and utility assistance to families enrolled in home visiting early childhood programs that are struggling due to layoffs and drastically reduced work hours.
• Community Partners for Affordable Housing, to assist low-income households with rent and utility assistance so they can stay in their homes.
• Family Services of Lake County, to support its Emergency Fund to address immediate essential needs, including rent and utility assistance, for families and students enrolled in FSLC’s programs who are disproportionately affected, particularly due to job loss and reduction in work hours.
• Lake County Haven, to provide nontraditional housing and deliver donated meals to homeless women and children who can no longer stay in transitional housing or shelters.
• Libertyville Township Gift Fund, to support the Food Pantry and the Community Emergency Fund that assists individuals and families facing a life-threatening emergency, including with rent and utilities.
• Most Blessed Trinity Parish, to procure food, equipment and supplies for their food pantry and soup kitchen to serve growing numbers of families in need.
The Lake County COVID-19 Community Response Fund, established and administered by United Way of Lake County in collaboration with Lake County government, Lake County Community Foundation, and the Lake County Municipal League, unites funds raised by philanthropies, corporations and individuals to support nonprofits on the front lines of the crisis addressing Lake County’s greatest needs.
Since launching the fund on March 20, a total of $213,262 from the fund has been granted back into the Lake County community to 14 nonprofits so they can continue their critical work serving our most vulnerable neighbors.
Additional grants will be awarded on a rolling basis to respond to urgent and evolving needs, as funds are available. Details of the next grant opportunity will be announced the week of April 20 with disbursement targeted for the week of April 27.
Donations of any amount will make an immediate impact on critical and urgent needs in Lake County. With new tax advantages for donating to charities, there is no better time to give generously than now. United Way covers all administrative costs so that 100% of donations go directly to recipient agencies.
For information about the Lake County COVID-19 Community Response Fund, or to donate, visit LIVEUNITEDlakecounty.org/covid19.