Women United is Lake County’s premier women’s organization that strengthens the community through philanthropy, leadership, and volunteerism while cultivating meaningful connections and belonging. In May 2025, it was declared that Women United is distributing $188,000 through its Little Kids, Big Futures philanthropy fund to bolster eight essential kindergarten readiness programs to prepare local children for lifelong learning and success. Since 2014, Women United has allocated more than $1.6 million in grants.
The following programs will receive funding:
$86,000 – Kindergarten Countdown Camp (KCC)
Antioch, Beach Park, Round Lake, Waukegan, and Zion
Funding will support this summer learning program for 132 incoming kindergartners in 11 classrooms across 6 communities with little to no preschool experience. The program will teach social norms and build key foundational skills such as shapes, letters, and counting.
$39,000 – Kindergarten Readiness
Round Lake Area Park District
Funding will provide 20 preschool scholarships for Round Lake children, opening access to essential early learning. This year, the program expands to five days a week for greater impact.
$23,000 – Better Together
Fox Lake and North Chicago
Funding will support this bilingual early learning program for families with children ages 0–3, focusing on early literacy, healthy development, and parent engagement.
$18,500 – The Formative Years
Lake County
Funding will support bi-weekly parent-child sessions for families with children ages 0–5 living in transitional housing; promoting school readiness through basic skills and enrichment activities.
$10,000 – Mothers Trust Foundation Service
Lake County
Funding will provide scholarships to children, increasing access to early education, enrichment, and extracurricular programs, including daycare and summer camp.
$5,000 – HUGS Women United
Waukegan
Funding will support Women United’s community engagement initiatives that connect families with resources and care to help them thrive. HUGS will continue to provide Early Learning Clubs at Whispering Oaks Apartments in Waukegan, resource fairs, and impact opportunities.
$5,000 – Early Learning Club Centers
Lake County
Funding will support year-round Early Learning Clubs, promoting early literacy and parent engagement—tailored to each community’s needs. Programs are offered in both English and Spanish.
$1,000 – Reading Power
Lake County
Funding will provide materials for Reading Power’s early literacy tutoring programs, supporting one-on-one instruction that builds reading skills and confidence in young learners.
About Women United
Women United of Lake County is a vibrant network of more than 145 women who support each other by leveraging our passions, ideas, expertise, and resources. Together we ensure that Lake County children are prepared for kindergarten and ready to succeed. Women United is a paramount community within United Way of Lake County.
With a forward-thinking mindset, Women United’s philanthropy is growing and mobilizing community-minded women through leadership and resource development to expand its impact on early childhood education.
We encourage you to get involved in Women United of Lake County and learn more about the Little Kids, Big Futures philanthropy fund guidelines. If you have any questions, contact [email protected].