In This Edition

Stories that Matter. Stories that Move Us.

A New Lens on Life: One Students Journey Through

Youth United Way

Happy New Year!

What an amazing feeling! As we have jumped into 2025, let’s celebrate the incredible impact we made together last year—providing over 66,000 services to our community's most vulnerable residents.

• 4,860 mental health services were provided, helping to ease heavy burdens and support emotional well-being.
• 20,000 children benefited from reading programs that fostered literacy and opened doors to brighter futures.
• 26,911 2-1-1 referrals connected individuals and families to critical resources, reminding them they are never alone.
• 375 domestic violence survivors found refuge, care, and hope for a safer tomorrow.
• And so much more.

Together, we’ve brightened the lives of thousands, proving that when you give local, you change the lives of your friends and neighbors in need.

We look forward to moving ahead in the new year with kindness in our hearts, purpose in our actions, and the shared belief that every gift and act of volunteerism makes a difference. There are still too many unmet needs as the number of persons struggling to stay afloat right here in Lake County continues to grow. Your support is needed now more than ever.

• Adults and children go without needed medical care, dental care, and medication. 
• Families are unable to put food on the table. 
• Households go without heat and electricity.
• Jobs are lost due to an inability to afford transportation and gas.
• And these are just a few of the challenges our friends and neighbors in need face.

ALICE is your child care worker, mechanic, home health aide, store clerk, the cashier at your grocery store, office assistant and more - all workers essential to you and our community's success. 

Youth United Way Class of 2024 Distributes $10,000 in Grants Upon Graduating December 20, 2024

Project Hope for the Homeless was awarded a $1,000 grant to provide shelter for those in need.

Forbes House was awarded a $5,000 grant in support of Lake County's only domestic violence shelter.

Birthright Lake County was awarded a $4,000 grant to provide formula for babies from low-income households.

At United Way of Lake County, we are proud to celebrate the remarkable achievements of the 2024 Class of Youth United Way (YUW). On December 20th, twenty-seven students representing nine local high schools gathered for their graduation ceremony at UWLC. The event marked the culmination of an inspiring journey that empowered these young leaders to award $10,000 in grants to local nonprofits.

The YUW program, facilitated by United Way’s Emerging Leaders (ELs), ran from October through December, offering students six sessions packed with eye-opening experiences. Participants visited nonprofit organizations including Forbes House, Project Hope for the Homeless, Birthright Lake County, the YMCA in Painesville and more. They toured facilities, engaged with nonprofit representatives, and deepened their understanding of the challenges facing Lake County residents.  

“I was most surprised to learn about the dire circumstances many people in our community are facing,” shared Elijah Morales, a student from Wickliffe Upper School. (continued below video).

With funding from the Emerging Leaders, who doubled their usual grant amount this year, the students collaborated to allocate the $10,000 they received. After thoughtful deliberation, they awarded:  

• $5,000 to Forbes House, supporting Lake County’s only domestic violence shelter.  
• $4,000 to Birthright Lake County, providing baby formula for families in need.  
• $1,000 to Project Hope for the Homeless, aiding Lake County’s homeless shelter.  

Representatives from these nonprofits attended the ceremony to accept the grants and personally thank the students for their generosity and hard work.  

“What I’m most pleased to see from the students is the sense of empathy, love, and the idea that kindness will spread as a result of what they’ve learned,” said UWLC President & CEO Dione DeMitro. “If each of those twenty-seven students returns to their school motivated to be a little kinder and gentler, the ripple effect can inspire others to do the same. That’s how big changes start — with small acts of kindness.”  

This year’s program was made possible by a $2,500 grant from the Western Reserve Junior Service League. Special thanks to President Pam Morse and the entire league of women for their generous support of these young leaders.  

We are incredibly proud of the participating students from Eastlake North High School, Kirtland High School, iSTEM Geauga Early College High School, Lake Catholic High School, Riverside High School, Thomas W. Harvey High School, Wickliffe Upper School, and Willoughby South High School.

Congratulations to this exceptional group of young leaders for their hard work and dedication to building a brighter future for Lake County.  

Agency Partner Spotlight:

Torchlight Youth Mentoring Alliance

January is National Mentoring Month, a time to celebrate the life-changing impact mentors have in guiding and empowering young people toward brighter futures.

At United Way of Lake County, we are honored to support and celebrate the impactful work of Torchlight Youth Mentoring Alliance and its Community-Based Mentoring program.

Having a mentor can profoundly influence a child’s personal growth and social development. Mentors act as trusted guides, providing encouragement and helping children overcome challenges while building resilience and life skills.

The presence of a caring mentor offers a supportive environment where children can gain confidence, feel heard, and develop important interpersonal abilities. Mentors also introduce their mentees to new opportunities and perspectives, inspiring curiosity and expanding their worldview.

This meaningful connection often leads to better academic performance, improved emotional health, and the development of core values. Together, these benefits help pave the way for a brighter future filled with opportunity and success.

News & Notes

Last Chance to Register for our Emerging Leaders 4 Under 40 Awards Dinner

Registration ENDS This Sunday, January 20th

Thursday, January 23, 2025 | 5:30 pm

The Everly in Mentor

Click Here Now to Register

The winners of the Emerging Leaders' sixth annual 4 Under 40 awards will be recognized over dinner and drinks. Register now to honor Lake County’s best and brightest young professionals for their hard work and achievements!

This year’s honorees include:



• Kathryn Baden, CEO of Olympus Aerospace
• Rochelle Fowler, Process Specialist at The Lubrizol Corporation
• Kerry Jonke, Manager of Customer Experience at Laketran
• Francisco Veloz, President of Veloz Landscape & Nursery

The event is open to the public with advance registration.

Mark Your Calendar - Celebrity Server Coming Soon!

Join us in Sham-Rocking the House for our Friends & Neighbors in Need.

Mark your calendar now to join us on March 13th for our annual Irish-themed Celebrity Server Fundraiser where we look forward to Sham-Rocking the House with a mouthwatering corned beef and cabbage lunch with all the fixings, a decadent Table O'Sweets, exciting games, a 50/50 raffle, fantastic raffle prizes, and much more!

We’re currently on the lookout for Hearts of Gold to:

• Volunteer as Celebrity Servers!
• Sponsor the event and support our impactful work!
• Donate prizes!

Will you lend a hand? Please email us today at friends@uwlc.org today!

Registration information and complete details coming soon.

Two Exciting Raffles: Enter Now for a Chance to Win $10,000 Cash and/or a Lifetime of FREE Monthly Services from Ladies & Gentlemen Salon and Spa (Mentor & Lyndhurst)!

Our friends at Mentor Nissan and Ladies & Gentlemen Salon and Spa (located in Mentor and Legacy Village in Lyndhurst) believe in our mission and have gifted us with these amazing raffle prizes! All proceeds will benefit Lake County's most vulnerable residents through our Community Impact Fund.

Enter to Win $10,000 Cash Compliments of Mentor Nissan!

AND/OR

Enter to Win One Free Service Per Month FOR LIFE Compliments of Ladies & Gentlemen Salon and Spa!

One lucky winner will receive one free service per month for Life! Services include Hair Cuts & Styling, Formal Styling, Manicures, Pedicures, Facials, Relaxation Massages, and Men's Cuts. The prize is non-transferable. You must be 18 years or older to purchase entries. 

Complete contest rules are available at uwlc.org/salon.

Get your raffle entry tickets here now! 

Small Business United (SBU)

Join the Movement

Small business owners know that a strong, healthy community is good for business. These same owners also understand the importance of giving back and keeping local dollars local, which is where our Small Business United (SBU) membership comes in. All funds raised in Lake County from this membership, stay in Lake County, helping our local friends and neighbors in need. If you are a small business owner interested in a simple, budget-friendly way to give back, then this may be just the program for you!

Learn more about our SBU program now!

GET CONNECTED!

Volunteer Opportunities at UWLC and Other Lake County Nonprofits

Our GET CONNECTED! initiative brings together individuals eager to make a positive impact with those looking for volunteers. If you are an organization in need of volunteers, we would love to include your listing in our online program. Simply send an email expressing your needs to volunteer@uwlc.org and we will get back to you!

If you are an individual looking to make a difference, we urge you to also send an email to volunteer@uwlc.org and we will respond with information on how you can select from a list of online opportunities that align with your interests and schedule!

Learn more about our GET CONNECTED! program here!