Promise of a new beginning: How your year-end gift builds safety that lasts As the year draws to a close, many of us reflect on what truly matters: safety, stability, and peace. For survivors of domestic violence in the Metro East—Monroe, Randolph, and St. Clair counties—these are not certainties, but goals made possible only by…

Compassion that connects caregivers, strengthens the Metro East all year long For nearly 40 years, St. John’s Community Care has been a trusted place of help, hope, and heart in the Metro East. The nonprofit’s mission is simple but powerful: to make a positive difference in the lives of people challenged by aging or disabilities.…

In 1973, a group of Alton, Ill., residents witnessed firsthand the struggles of their friends and neighbors facing food insecurity. Motivated by a deep sense of community, they took action, founding Senior Services Plus Inc. (SSP). SSP founders first applied for grant funding from the Illinois Department on Aging to fund both transportation services and…

The power of partnership: United Way and RFM Our mission and impact Founded in 2007, Riverbend Family Ministries (RFM) exists to bring smaller nonprofits together under one roof to better serve children, youth, and families experiencing trauma from violence, addiction, poverty, and homelessness. Today, in addition to our Client Service Department—focused on basic needs like…

Restoring hope and opportunity: R3 Development’s lasting impact on East St. Louis youth     “Being a United Way of Greater St. Louis partner has multiplied our capacity to dream bigger, serve deeper, and stand stronger for the young people of East St. Louis. Together, we are not just changing lives—we are transforming futures.” — Dave…

  Making the world more accessible for people who are blind or have low vision At MindsEye, the mission is to translate vision into audio. The organization brings the world to life through sound by reading news and community updates on the radio, describing live theater and art for people who are blind or visually…

The Leu Civic Center Inc. is proud to be one of more than 160 United Way of Greater St. Louis Safety Net agencies. This partnership is far more than a funding relationship—it is a foundational alliance that strengthens our ability to serve, innovate, and grow. As a long-standing community organization focused on youth and family development,…

  Justice that lasts beyond the holidays… Every day, families across the Metro East face challenges that threaten their safety, stability, and dignity. A senior risks losing the home she has lived in for decades. A mother must decide between paying rent or buying groceries for her children. A veteran struggles to access the benefits…

  Located at 2735 East Broadway in Alton, Ill., IMPACT CIL is a non-profit, self-help advocacy organization founded in September 1985, primarily by people with disabilities. IMPACT CIL emphasizes peer counseling relationships—the heart of our service delivery—where individuals with similar disabilities share information, experiences, and support for living independently. Serving six Illinois counties—Madison, Macoupin, Jersey,…

Holiday greetings from the Illinois Center for Autism   The Illinois Center for Autism’s origin story is not unique… ICA started with eight families with children diagnosed with Autism who came together because they had nowhere else to turn due to the severity of their children’s communication and behavior needs. What is unique is ICA…