Everyone should be able to make healthy choices for themselves and their families. But there can be lots of barriers in underserved communities. United Way’s partnerships with local groups expand access to nutritious food and quality health care, education and services.
United Way of Champaign County mobilizes people, partners, and resources to improve access to health—because a healthier community is a stronger community.
The Healthy Community Grant Funding Cycle
Grants in this impact area are awarded on a two-year cycle, running from January 1 to December 31. This multi-year approach provides stability for programs and allows our partners to make a sustained, measurable impact.
Our work in this impact area focuses on two critical categories:
Preventing maltreatment. Supporting healing. Building resilient families.
Every child deserves to grow up in a loving, supportive home. But too many children face the dual risks of maltreatment and unmet mental health needs—challenges that can have lifelong effects on their physical, emotional, and social well-being.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), including abuse and neglect, can cause toxic stress that reshapes brain development and increases the likelihood of risky behaviors and chronic illness in adulthood. The Centers for Disease Control identifies long-term effects such as substance use, depression, obesity, and even heart disease.
But child abuse and neglect are preventable. Research shows that strong protective factors—like nurturing relationships, parenting support, and access to mental health care—can reduce the risk of harm and help families thrive.
United Way’s Child Well-Being grants are designed to strengthen these protective factors and expand trauma-informed care across our community. In December 2023, we awarded $450,000 in grants to programs working toward:
-
Reducing maltreatment among children ages 0–5
-
Increasing supports for families in high-need ZIP codes (61821 and 61802)
-
Building community capacity to respond to trauma
-
Expanding access to trauma-informed care for children and adults
Our strategy centers on collaboration and removing barriers to care. Through these investments, we’re funding programs that offer:
-
Free or low-cost, accessible family programming
-
Support services for families facing stress or trauma
-
Trauma-informed counseling and evidence-based therapies
-
Professional care for survivors of violence or abuse
-
Trusted, community-based mental health access
Together, we’re working to break the cycle of trauma and build stronger, healthier families—united in care, compassion, and hope.
Food. Shelter. Healthcare. Safety. Technology.
These are the building blocks of stability. Yet many of our neighbors—especially ALICE families, low-wage workers, people of color, individuals with disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ community members—face barriers to meeting these basic needs.
United Way’s Community Essentials work helps ensure that everyone in Champaign County has access to the resources they need to survive—and the support they need to thrive.
In 2023, we invested over $647,000 in local programs that:
-
Help people meet their physical needs (food, housing, clothing, healthcare, utilities)
-
Assist individuals and families in navigating complex human service systems
Our approach is designed to reduce barriers and expand reach. We support a strong safety net that includes:
-
211 – Get Connected, Get Help
-
Bottom Line Diaper Bank
-
Emergency Shelter for Families
-
Farmers Feeding Families
We recognize that access to technology is no longer optional—it’s essential for applying for jobs, paying bills, accessing healthcare, and participating in education. Our partners work to ensure technology, ID access, and other vital tools are within reach for everyone.
United Way is committed to building a healthy, equitable community where everyone has the chance to meet their basic needs, overcome crisis, and move forward with dignity.