United Way - SJ-R weekly column - Angela Bertoni: Sojourn Shelter & Services, Inc., provides a refuge for those abused

Originally published Sunday, October 27, 2013 in the State Journal-Register.  Look for weekly United Way columns in the Our Towns section during the annual campaign.
 
Sojourn Shelter & Services, Inc., provides a refuge for those abused
By Angela Bertoni, Chief Executive Officer at Sojourn Shelter & Services, Inc.

Violence, whether in our schools, places of work or on the streets, usually begins at home. In the United States, a woman is assaulted or beaten every nine seconds, making domestic violence the leading cause of injury to women—more than car accidents, muggings and rapes combined.

During October, we recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month, raising awareness for this serious public health problem that affects millions of people in the United States. Domestic violence has no biases and affects anyone regardless of race, age, gender or economic status. Acts of domestic violence can be physical, emotional, sexual or financial.

Moreover, approximately 75 percent of children of abused mothers are also victims of domestic abuse, making domestic violence the No. 1 risk factor for child abuse.

Sojourn Shelter & Services, Inc. is the only...Read More

United Way - SJ-R weekly column - Greg Birky: The value of our community fund

Originally published Sunday, October 20, 2013 in the State Journal-Register.  Look for weekly United Way columns in the Our Towns section during the annual campaign.
 
Mobilizing a community of volunteers 
By Greg Birky, President of Illini Bank

Illini Bank, a locally owned community bank, I understand firsthand the importance of reinvestment in our community. A thriving, local economy allows our business to grow, provides security for our employees and allows local businesses to reinvest money back into our community.
As president of

However, our local economy can only continue to grow if we, as a community, protect our most vulnerable and invest in the future of our children. For this reason, Illini Bank, like so many businesses in the area, lends its support to United Way of Central Illinois and our Community Fund.

For more than 90 years, United Way of Central Illinois has worked to mobilize resources to meet community needs. One way in which United Way addresses community needs is through its annual campaign to raise money for our community fund. These funds are then allocated, by a panel of local volunteers, to nonprofit programs throughout our community which provide vital services in the areas of shelter, food, healthcare, victim services and education.

Decisions are always made at a local level because...Read More

United Way - SJ-R weekly column - Addressing homelessness in our community

Originally published Sunday, October 13, 2013 in the State Journal-Register.  Look for weekly United Way columns in the Our Towns section during the annual campaign.
 
Addressing homelessness in our community
By John Kelker, President at United Way of Central Illinois 

In the coming days, our city leaders will engage in a lively debate over the future of services addressing homelessness in our community.

Although the subject of this debate centers on the relocation of Helping Hands of Springfield, this discussion demonstrates the need for community leaders to develop and implement sound strategies which promote coordination of care, provide sufficient services and position those services in areas of town with the greatest need.

Addressing the issue of homelessness begins with the coordination of care. Fortunately, the Heartland Continuum of Care was established to encourage agencies to work together to plan, organize and deliver services to meet the needs of the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless.

Among Heartland’s most important initiatives was...Read More

United Way - SJ-R weekly column - Mobilizing a community of volunteers

Originally published Sunday, October 6, 2013 in the State Journal-Register.  Look for weekly United Way columns in the Our Towns section during the annual campaign.
 
Mobilizing a community of volunteers 
By John Kelker, President at United Way of Central Illinois

Horace Mann once said, “Doing nothing for others is the undoing of ourselves. We do ourselves the most good doing something for others.”

In those words, the great education reformer and abolitionist captured the essence of humanity and in many ways summarizes why we work every day to encourage others to give, volunteer and advocate.
I was reminded of these words on Friday as more than 250 volunteers, including many from the company named for Horace Mann, headed to local agencies to spend an afternoon in service to our community. These individuals spent time painting, building, organizing and cleaning at agencies throughout the Springfield area.

From helping with fall preparations at Henson Robinson Zoo to working the Fall Festival at Concordia Village, these individuals...Read More