The Community Foundation for McHenry County and United Way of Greater McHenry Awards announce first round of recipients
(Crystal Lake, IL) While McHenry County confronts the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, community members and businesses came together to offer area non-profits a helping hand.
The Community Foundation for McHenry County and United Way of Greater McHenry County announced the first round of grant recipients from its COVID-19 Response Fund. The two organizations launched the fund late March and the public quickly and generously responded. On April 6, a total of $250,000 in grants was awarded to 20 charitable organizations serving our friends and neighbors in McHenry County.
“These organizations serve the basic needs of our most vulnerable and at-risk populations, and the demand for their services only increases in times of crisis. For example, a mother facing homelessness does not have the luxury of filling her pantry with groceries or stocking up on hand sanitizer. As many of us withdraw into the safety of our homes, domestic violence, alcoholism, hunger, poverty and disability do not take a break during a pandemic,” said Deborah Thielen, Executive Director, The Community Foundation for McHenry County (The CFMC).
While The Community Foundation and United Way joined forces to launch the COVID-19 Response Fund, Thielen said all credit belongs to area residents and businesses for their quick and responsive growth.
The $250,000 in grants represents the first round of grants from the McHenry County Community COVID-19 Response Fund. These grants will support 20 charitable organizations providing basic needs to residents of McHenry County.
The grant recipients are:
- Mano a Mano Family Resource Center
- Housing Affordability Partners
- Turnstone Development Corp
- Home of the Sparrow
- Illinois Migrant Council
- Family Health Partnership
- Refuge for Women
- Thresholds
- Options and Advocacy for McHenry County
- Crystal Lake Food Pantry
- Service League of Crystal Lake
- Faith Acres Foundation
- Pioneer Center for Human Services
- Hearthstone Communities
- New Directions Addiction Recovery Services
- Turning Point
- Greater Elgin Family Care Center – McHenry Community Health Center
- Transitional Living Services (TLS)
- Aunt Martha’s Health and Wellness
- Senior Care Volunteer Network
“There has never been a more important time to come together to address the critical needs of this community and the charitable organizations working on the front lines of this pandemic. That is exactly why we launched the COVID-19 Response Fund, why people responded so generously and why these particular recipients were selected,” said Carole Peters, Executive Director, United Way of Greater McHenry County.
Over 50 local organizations requested funding in the first grant cycle. Their applications detailed how COVID-19 pandemic is challenging their ability to serve McHenry County’s most vulnerable populations. A group compiled of staff from The CFMC, United Way, Mental Health Board and McHenry County Health and Human Services moved swiftly to select the recipients and disperse grant money. “The McHenry County Community COVID-19 Response Fund is evidence that our communities shine the brightest in the face of darkness,” said Peters
Additional grants will be awarded on a rolling basis to address emerging, urgent needs as funding becomes available.
About The Community Foundation for McHenry County
The CFMC is the leader in McHenry County for providing legacy giving opportunities to donors and charitable organizations in our community. Founded in 2001 to support charitable organizations to ensure McHenry County, The Community Foundation today is approximately a $35 million organization that serves to “Connect people who care with causes that matter.” Visit thecfmc.org to learn more.
About United Way of Greater McHenry County
United Way of Greater McHenry County is a nonprofit organization that unites people and resources to build a stronger McHenry County. They support 30 local nonprofit agencies and help fund 48 different programs in the areas of education, health and independence. They have been reinvesting in McHenry County since their inception in 1966 and have raised over $56 million dollars. For more information, visit www.givingbacktomchenrycounty.org.