Financial Security
Emergency Shelter for Families
A safe place to stay can change everything for a family in crisis.
More than 10 years ago, United Way of Champaign County created the Emergency Shelter for Families (ESF) to ensure families experiencing homelessness could stay together while working toward permanent housing. Before ESF, many parents and children were forced to separate to access shelter. Often times, families were fleeing domestic violence, living out of their car, or living on the street.
Today, ESF provides apartment-style shelter and personalized case management through partnerships with the Housing Authority of Champaign County and the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission. The program offers more than a place to sleep—it provides the stability families need to move forward.
The impact is lasting. More than 95% of households that have planfully exited ESF have found safe, stable housing. Since 2016, the program has provided 73,693 nights of shelter to 1,039 people, nearly two-thirds of them children.
Every night of shelter is made possible because of donors who support United Way of Champaign County. Your generosity helps families in crisis find a stable home.
Youth Opportunity
High Schoolers Explore Career in the Trades
For more than a decade, United Way of Champaign County has proudly funded the Summer Construction Program, helping local teens discover new career possibilities through a partnership with Education for Employment #330, Parkland College, and local union trades.
Teenage years are a critical time to explore interests, receive mentorship and develop skills that shape future careers. This summer, 18 high school students completed the program, earning college credit and a $400 stipend while gaining hands-on experience in roofing, framing, siding, window installation, plumbing, and more. United Way also helped remove financial barriers by providing work boots and jobsite attire for students who needed them, ensuring that every teen had the opportunity to succeed in the program.
Because of your support, young people gain real-world experience, discover their potential, and take the first step toward a brighter future.