Every summer, something quietly happens to young readers. School lets out, routines shift and before long, the books get pushed aside. What follows is well-documented. Research consistently shows that students can lose up to two to three months of reading progress over the summer months – a phenomenon known as the “summer slide” or summer […]
Megan Reynolds
Megan Reynolds is director of marketing and communications for United Way of Central Illinois.
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
United Way of Central Illinois: Showing up for every corner of our community
When people hear “United Way of Central Illinois,” most think of Springfield. That’s fair – but it’s also not all that we are. We are not just a Springfield organization. Our work stretches across Sangamon and Menard counties – into small towns, down rural roads and into communities that don’t always make headlines but are […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
31,875 households: The reality of ALICE in our community
ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed – but behind that acronym are real people you probably see every day. They’re the teacher at your child’s day care center, the aide who cares for your aging parent, the cashier who rings up your groceries, and the server who brings your coffee. They work full-time […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
The power of community: Looking back on 2025 and ahead to what’s next
We’ve spent the past few weeks at United Way of Central Illinois reflecting on what an incredible year 2025 was, and honestly, we’re still a little overwhelmed by the generosity we witnessed. This year’s campaign theme was “The Power of Community,” and we saw that power show up in ways big and small. From the […]
