Our Neighbors Need Us More Than Ever

We have an unprecedented situation with the current national climate. Some families are not responding to our appeals to help out of fear. Others are less willing to give specific information as to their needs because of uncertainty. What we do know is that the need Kane and Kendall County has never been greater, and your support is more critical than ever.

Every day, families in our community face impossible choices—whether to pay the rent or keep the lights on, whether to buy groceries or purchase life-saving medication. These are not hypothetical scenarios; they are the reality for thousands of households living paycheck to paycheck. Many of these families fall into the category we call A.L.I.C.E.—Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. They work hard, but they earn too much to qualify for government assistance and too little to cover basic necessities.

Heading into the new year, we're prioritizing assistance to the following areas apparent in our 2-1-1 data:

Rental Assistance: Housing stability is the foundation of family well-being. Yet, rising rents and stagnant wages have left many families on the brink of eviction. Without help, parents and children face homelessness, disrupting education, employment, and health. Your support ensures families can stay in their homes and avoid the devastating cycle of displacement.

Utility Assistance: As winter approaches, the cost of heating homes becomes a heavy burden. Families are forced to choose between warmth and other essentials. Utility shut-offs are not just inconvenient—they are dangerous, especially for children and seniors.

Food Insecurity: Hunger was a silent crisis that recently became a national headline due to the pause in SNAP benefits. Parents skip meals so their children can eat. Food pantries are seeing record demand, and still, many families go without. No child should go to bed hungry, yet it happens every night in our neighborhoods.

Early Childhood Impact

Continuing our vital work in early education remains at the forefront of your donation impact. Research shows that reading and early learning experiences shape a child’s future success. Children who start school without basic literacy skills often struggle to catch up, affecting their confidence and academic performance for years to come.

Through programs like SPARK (our early childhood collaboration) and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, Fox Valley United Way ensures that children have access to books, learning resources, and supportive environments, because every child deserves the chance to thrive.

Over the Past Year...

SPARK conducted 251 developmental screenings and connected 267 new families to programs and services in the area to prepare themselves and their children for their first day of kindergarten.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library started at 1,688 participants in Kendall County in January and now boasts a roster of 2,465. This program was introduced in Kane County in January with an initial enrollment of 1,386. Since then, our number of children registered has grown to 3,597. A total of 6,062 books will be mailed out in January 2026.

211: A Lifeline for Families

When families don’t know where to turn, 2-1-1 is there. This free, confidential hotline connects people to critical resources—housing assistance, food programs, mental health services, and more. In times of crisis, a single call can mean the difference between despair and hope.

Over 5,000 contacts were handled by our call center for Kane and Kendall County in 2025. Over 50% of the calls were from people aged 25 to 44. 1 of every 3 calls was for someone in a housing crisis. You may know one of these people.

Why Your Gift Matters

Behind every statistic is a story—a mother working two jobs who still can’t afford her child’s medication, a senior choosing between groceries and a child falling behind because there are no books at home. These are our neighbors. They are part of our community. And they need us.

Government programs often exclude A.L.I.C.E. families, leaving them with nowhere to but organizations like Fox Valley United Way. Your donation fills that gap.

It provides rental assistance for families in crisis, utility support to keep homes warm, food for families facing hunger, and educational resources for children who deserve a strong start.

You Can Make a Difference Today

As we close out this year, we ask you to stand with us. United is the Way. Your generosity ensures that no family in Kane or Kendall County face these challenges alone. United is the Way. You can bring hope, stability, and opportunity to those who need it most. United is the Way.

Donate Today