The CEO of Kishwaukee United Way, Dr. Michele Vaughn, used a puzzle piece, story-telling, and a list of initiatives to explain how the non-profit seeks to make an impact on the lives of local residents.  Vaughn assumed leadership of the local United Way on February 5, 2023.  She came to DeKalb County with more than 20 years of experience working with non-profits and educational institutions.  She said her goal is to build strong partnerships leading to collaborative solutions to community problems.  She says she considers herself a champion for the underserved as their "Chief Encouragement Officer".

 

Dr. Vaughn said the mission of Kishwaukee United Way is to improve lives by sharing community resources.  Everyone in the audience received a puzzle piece in their handouts which Dr. Vaughn said was a symbolic way to show that everyone can fill a missing piece of life’s puzzle with their contributions.  She went on to say these contributions can be both monetary and through volunteerism.  She gave an example of a person who called the United Way needing help after just arriving in DeKalb County.  Dr. Vaughn explained how the United Way’s 211 information and referral line gave the person easy access to up-to-date data on the many health and human service resources available to them.  Besides the 211 helpline, Dr. Vaughn explained how United Way can offer detailed information on sustainable wage levels through its ALICE report.  ALICE stands for “Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed” and refers to the sector of population with working family households who are just barely getting by and risk  financial calamity should they have an unexpected emergency.  Dr. Vaughn also noted how United Way has a Digital Crossover program to support digital skills training and workforce development.  And she made a pitch for volunteers to come forward for their June 12, 2025, Day of Caring to help with service projects at the 17 United Way partner agencies in DeKalb County.

 

More information about Kishwaukee United Way, its impact, and its partner agencies is available from its website, www.kishwaukeeunitedway.com. The free 211 information and referral line may be accessed 24-hours a day, seven days a week, by dialing “211” from your phone, texting your zip code to 898211, or going to the 211 website at www.findhelp211.org.

October 26, 1825 – The Erie Canal opens and becomes the first major man-made waterway in America.  It links Lake Erie with the Hudson River and takes eight years to complete.

 

October 27, 1904 – The New York City subway begins operating.  It is the first underground and underwater rail system in the world.

 

October 29, 1886 – The Statue of Liberty is dedicated in New York Harbor.  It is a gift from the people of France commemorating the French-American alliance during the American Revolutionary War. 

 

November 2, 1947 – The first and only flight of Howard Hughes’ “Spruce Goose” takes place in Long Beach, California.  The 200-ton plywood eight-engine plane cost $25 million to build; it flew about one-mile at an altitude of 70 feet.

October 27, 1858 – 26^th President of the United States, “Teddy” Roosevelt, is born in New York City.  Perhaps his most famous quote is “speak softly and carry a big stick.”

 

October 28, 1914 – Dr. Jonas Salk is born in New York City.  He famously leads research that develops a vaccine to prevent polio and declines to pursue a patent in order to promote its global distribution.

 

October 30, 1735 – The 2^nd President of the United States and one of the country’s Founding Fathers, John Adams, is born in Braintree, Massachusetts.

 

November 2, 1795 – 11^th U. S. President James K. Polk is born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.