I came to the UVC board representing United Methodist Women, whose connection to the support of children, youth and women is as old as the organization itself. On a personal level, I was in education for 30 years, working with…
UVC board member Deaconess Catherine Inserra recently interviewed Lisa Williams about her late husband’s Toy Car Ministry. Inspired by a similar ministry in Florida, Rev. Doug Williams brought the idea of making and distributing toy wooden cars to his congregation…
submitted by Beverly Dukes, UVC Policy Coordinator For several decades, advocates, constituents and parents have demanded strategic changes in the Illinois child welfare system. Of note: the number of African American children and youth in state care is exponentially more…
Submitted by Attorney Walton Davis, Jr., UVC Board Member Approximately 20 years ago, Judge Herman Knell asked me to submit my name to become a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois. I submitted my…
Today, there are still many Illinoisans negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 has drastically changed how we live, but the most devastation has occurred in vulnerable populations. This pandemic has only exacerbated the existing social ills affecting these populations.…
Scientists now agree that the repeated use and emission of fossil fuels has negatively affected the planet. Because of our behavior, the temperature of the earth has increased at an alarming rate, causing more wildfires, hurricanes and tornadoes to occur…
Over the past two years, it has been an honor and a privilege to serve on the United Voices for Children board. I am a Deacon in the United Methodist Church who serves as the Recruitment Coordinator at Garrett-Evangelical Theological…
After being in this pandemic for almost two years, many vulnerable children and families are still struggling. It is critically important for faith communities to advocate for public policies that support children and families to counter the effects from both…
Submitted by Emily Lipinsky, Director of Development for the Rosecrance Foundation and Vice President UVC Board As summer vacation winds down for students, a third pandemic-impacted school year approaches. Uncertainty and anxiety linger as people balance a wide range of…
Poverty is a systemic and devastating economic condition that is pervasive throughout the United States. This adverse reality has a distressing effect on children, causing emotional, mental, and physical problems—and the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated an already difficult situation…