The Emergency Shelter for Families (ESF) is a collaborative initiative of United Way of Champaign County, the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission, and the Housing Authority of Champaign County that provides emergency shelter units for families facing homelessness. The shelter provides families with a safe place to stay while connecting them with resources that support long-term housing stability.
From birth to age 5, a child’s brain grows faster than at any other time—90% of brain development happens before age 5. Parents and caregivers are a child’s first teachers, and simple activities like reading, talking, and playing every day build confidence, vocabulary, and social skills.
United Way of Champaign County addresses our community’s most urgent challenges through Community Impact Grants. Local nonprofits partner with us to drive measurable progress toward shared goals.
Grants are awarded through a competitive process and reviewed by volunteers, experts, staff, and the Board. Selected programs:
We strengthen resilience and create brighter futures by advancing health, expanding youth opportunities, and building financial security for families.
At United Way of Champaign County, we know that lasting change happens when we all work together. Every day, we unite people, nonprofits, businesses, and community leaders to make Champaign County a place where everyone can thrive.
Education is the cornerstone of individual and community success.