Some people know exactly what they want to be when they grow up, and others have absolutely no idea. Regardless if you have your 5 year plan all mapped out, or if you are still deciding on what's right for you, knowing your options can put you at an advantage over your peers when it comes to preparing for your future career. 

United Way of Ogle County, an affiliate of the United Way of Rock River Valley, is announcing a grant seekers meeting for the upcoming funding cycle. This meeting is open to non-profit organizations that provide services to clients in Ogle County. Organizations will learn how to submit funding for United Way's next funding cycle beginning July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020 as well as the type of programs and services typically funded.

Labor Day is a tribute to the contributions that workers have made to the strength, prosperity and well being of our country. To celebrate the day, Rockford United Labor will host the 66th Annual Labor Day Parade on Monday, September 3, 2018 in downtown Rockford. The parade will start at 10:00 a.m. The Parade begins at 6th Avenue and 7th Street, winds its way through Midtown District, and ends at Davis Park. This year's Grand Marshall is International Association of Fire Fighters Local 413 President, Christopher Scrol and the theme is "Organized Labor Promotes Strong Communities."

On behalf of the Rockford United Labor Golf Play Day Committee, thank you for your support of the 24^rd Annual Golf Play Day to benefit United Way of Rock River Valley’s Success By 6 school readiness initiative. It turned out to be a perfect day of golf and camaraderie among labor partners and friends of labor, and we are so appreciative of your support for this worthy cause.

You are invited to observe Denim Day by wearing jeans on Wednesday, April 25 with United Way, the City of Rockford, and other local organizations. Denim Day is an international activity aimed at showing support for survivors of sexual assault. In 1998, the Italian Supreme Court overturned a rape conviction because the victim was wearing tight jeans and the Justices reasoned that she must have helped remove them herself, therefore making the rape consensual. Outraged by this ruling, women in the Italian Parliament wore jeans the next day to show their support of the victim.

March is Middle Level Education Month. This annual recognition provides a special opportunity to focus on the middle grades, a very important time in the education of our children. Other than from birth to age three, 10- to 15-year-olds are experiencing the most rapid, significant changes of their lives—changes that are physical, social, emotional, and cognitive in nature.

You’ve likely heard the adage, “Nothing in life is certain except death and taxes.” Well, thanks to United Way of Rock River Valley, at least one of those things is easier.

The United Way of Rock River Valley is proud to announce financial support to the Open Access Child and Family Counseling program at Ellis Elementary as part of our Strong Neighborhoods Initiative. We are happy to partner with Rosecrance in sustaining a program that is vital to the success of Ellis’ students and their families.

For a moment it seemed like the program would be shut down, but because of YOUR donations the United Way of Rock River Valley was able to keep this program open for the remainder of the school year. The Open Access program focuses on improved student behavior, family/school relationship building, and decreasing crisis intervention. It is with great pride that we help fund a program that has seen: