FY 2025-26 Grant Partners

  • Logo of Boys & Girls Club of Peoria, Illinois, featuring a blue geometric design and black text.

    After School & summer programs

  • A logo for CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children, featuring a stylized human figure holding a heart with red, white, and blue colors.

    CASA Program, Pekin Area

  • Logo for Pew Outreach Initiative featuring a red heart with hands at the bottom and the words 'Pew Outreach Initiative' inside.

    Snack Pack Program

  • Logo for Tazewell County Children's Advocacy Center featuring a stylized house with a heart on the door and a chimney emitting three heart-shaped smoke puffs, with the center's name written in handwritten-style text.

    Crisis Counseling Program

SUCCESS at every level!

From ensuring that children are prepared for kindergarten up to high school graduation and college/career preparation, we are committed to enhancing the educational landscape of our community. There are over 7,000 students enrolled from Pre-K through 12th grade which accounts for roughly 16% of our United Way of Pekin area’s population. To have sustained community, and regional success in the long term we must set the next generation up to succeed and be as prepared for adult life as we can possibly make them.

Area Student Population

Households In Poverty

Shown in % of households for 61554 zip code.

Student Truancy

Info provided by *Illinois Report Card
Group of five young friends smiling at the beach during sunset, with casual clothing and diverse appearances.
Text that reads 'H.A.N.D. PROJECT' in blue letters on a white background.

Our own internal program here at the United Way of Pekin the H.A.N.D. Project was designed to address the needs of our area youth as they adapt to the move into adulthood.

Not every teenager comes from a situation where they see HOPE in their future. A future where ADVANCEMENT personally and professionally is possible. But the reality is, that taking NEW DIRECTIONS are possible when the right tools and mindset are adopted. Our H.A.N.D. Project is aimed at providing just these things to those in our community that need to see the opportunities right in front of them!

Learn more

YOUTH RESOURCES

AFTER SCHOOL, SUMMER & RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS

  • 1101 Veerman St Pekin

    309-346-5437

    Provides low cost after-school and summer programs for children ages 5–18. Services include homework help, tutoring, STEM and art activities, sports, and daily meals/snacks. The Boys and Girls Club gives kids a safe place to go, with positive role models and programs that build leadership, confidence, and life skills. https://bgcpekinil.org/

  • 888-623-1237

    Girl Scouts prepares girls to empower themselves and promotes compassion, courage, confidence, character, leadership, entrepreneurship, and active citizenship through activities involving camping, community service, learning first aid, and earning badges by acquiring practical skills. www.getyourgirlpower.org/

  • 301 S 4th St Pekin

    309-347-7111

    A welcoming community hub offering a wide range of services for all ages. The library provides access to books, DVDs, audiobooks, and digital resources like eBooks and streaming media. Visitors can enjoy free Wi-Fi, computer labs, printing services, and quiet reading areas. They offer numerous youth focused programs and collaborations year round. Check out their schedule for additional information and details on offerings. https://pekinpubliclibrary.org/

  • 1701 Court St Pekin

    309-347-7225

    Facilities include the DragonLand Water Park, Magic Dragon Mini-Golf, Parkside Fitness Center, and the Veterans Memorial Arena for ice sports . The park district also offers various programs such as adult and youth sports leagues, fitness classes, day camps, and special events throughout the year. www.pekinparkdistrict.org/

  • 614 NE Madison Ave, Peoria

    309-673-6136

    Scouting America is the largest scouting organization and one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 1 million youth, including nearly 200,000 female participants nationwide beascout.scouting.org

  • 203 Court Street Pekin

    309-346-0724

    Children’s Sports and Recreation www.facebook.com/Pekin-Union-Mission-100064902873672/?wtsid=

CHILDCARE & EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

  • 900 Kennedy Drive, Pekin

    309-346-1147

    Ages 6 weeks to 5 years. Monday through Friday 6:30am-5:30pm.

    www.cadence-education.com/locations/il/pekin/

  • Children aged five and under who reside in eligible counties—including Tazewell—can receive a free book each month through this program. Families can check availability and register online via the program’s official website. https://imaginationlibrary.com/

  • Lighthouse Church of God, 1010 El Camino Drive, Pekin

    309-347-1971

    Ages 3-5 during the school year. Interested families must meet certain requirements to attend. See website or call for more information. https://twhsp.org/

  • 1209 Parkway Drive, Pekin

    309-347-7177

    Ages 6 weeks to 3rd grade. Monday through Friday 6:30am-5:30pm. https://kingskidschristianlearningcenter.com/

  • 1000 Koch Street Pekin

    309-477-4730

    PFEC offers free, part-day preschool for children ages 3–4 within Pekin District 108. The program supports early learning and development through structured classroom activities. It also provides resources for families, including parental involvement opportunities and support services. Enrollment is based on eligibility and a required screening process. www.pekin.net/o/pfec

  • 1605 Florence Ave, Pekin

    309-347-5121

    Ages 6 weeks to 12 years. Monday through Friday 7:00am-5:00pm. www.mywhizkidz.com/

  • 315 Buena Vista Ave, Pekin

    309-347-2104 Ext. 4028

    Ages 6 weeks to 5 years. Monday through Friday 6:30am-5:30pm.

    https://ywcapekin.org/ywca-of-pekin-early-learning-center/

YOUTH ADVOCACY & CRISIS PROGRAMS

  • 33 S 4th St. Pekin

    309-669-2939

    Serves Peoria, Tazewell and surrounding counties by training and supervising volunteers to advocate for the best interests of children involved in abuse/neglect cases or are involved with DCFS. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) are appointed by judges to provide independent, informed recommendations to help ensure each child’s safety and well-being. Volunteers visit children, attend court hearings, and work with professionals to help secure safe, permanent homes. https://www.casaofthetenth.org/

  • 720 W Joan Ct. Peoria

    1-800-559-SAFE (Crisis Hotline)

    Provides free and confidential services to individuals impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and more. Services include 24/7 crisis intervention, legal advocacy, counseling, and specialized programs for children. They also offer community education on abuse prevention. www.centerforpreventionofabuse.org/

  • 442 W John H Gwynn Jr Ave. Peoria

    309-674-4125

    Provides a range of services designed to support children and families in crisis. Their services include 24/7 emergency child care through a Crisis Nursery, early childhood development programs, family education and support services, and promote family stability and well-being. https://crittentoncenters.org/

  • 341 Buena Vista Ave Pekin

    309-347-6001

    Compassionate support to children who have experienced abuse. Services include forensic interviews, crisis counseling, case management, medical referrals, and advocacy throughout legal proceedings. The center also offers prevention education in schools, community workshops, and mandated reporter training to help protect children. www.tazewellcac.org/

YOUTH MEDICAL PROGRAMS

  • 5200 N Hamilton Road Peoria

    309-573-0700

    Provides a bridge from hospital to home for children with health conditions by delivering community-based care that includes caregiver training, family support, respite care, and advocacy for accessibility and inclusion. www.almosthomekids.org/

  • 507 E. Armstrong Ave, Peoria

    844-910-0770

    Collaboration of Easterseals Central Illinois and OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois. The collective is working to end the isolation felt by those living with autism by uniting experts and connecting families.

  • 2610 W Richwoods Blvd Peoria

    309-323-6600

    Programs include intact family intervention, pregnancy counseling, mental health services, residential programs for youth, fostering and adoption services, friendly visitor program for seniors, and mental health support.. www.cyfsolutions.org/

  • 2130 Knoxville Ave Peoria

    309-685-1047

    A comprehensive array of services aimed at supporting children and families facing challenges. Their programs encompass residential care, foster care, and transitional living for youth, as well as educational support through specialized schools. They provide behavioral health services, including therapy and crisis intervention, and engage in community-based initiatives to prevent youth involvement in the juvenile justice system. Additionally, they offer early childhood education and family support programs to promote stability and well-being. https://chail.org/

  • 507 E Armstrong Ave Peoria

    309-686-1177

    Provides a wide variety of services to support children with disabilities and developmental delays. Their services include physical, occupational, speech, and feeding therapies, autism support through diagnostic and ABA services, early intervention, and inclusive education at the Easterseals Learning Academy. Additionally, they provide recreational programs at the Timber Pointe Outdoor Center, helping families enhance their children's development and well-being. https://ci.easterseals.com/

  • 330 SW Washington St. Peoria

    309-676-2400

    Supports strengthening families and communities through a wide variety of services. FamilyCore offers licensed counseling for individuals, couples, and families, addressing issues such as depression, anxiety, trauma, and substance abuse. Additionally, the agency runs youth outreach initiatives, such as anger management workshops, aiming to promote educational success and emotional well-being among children and adolescents. www.familycore.org

  • 33 S. 4th St Pekin

    309-347-7148

    TCRC offers a wide array of programs and services that benefit persons with developmental disabilities and visual impairments who live and work in our community. The agency operates twelve facilities located in Tazewell County, Illinois. Job training and placement, goal-oriented therapy, case management, community day services, help for the visually impaired, vocational services, homelike residential programs and our Springboard program all have an important place in the TCRC goal of “Caring for People…Birth to Seniors. https://tcrcorg.com/

MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS

  • 7800 N Sommer Street, Suite 412, Peoria

    309-531-7700

    One-to-One Friendship, Integrated Employment, and Leadership Development programs for individuals with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in Illinois. www.bestbuddies.org/illinois/

  • 309-201-4005

    1715 Dragon Dr Suite B, Pekin - Sports and recreational center for individuals with disabilities. www.irvsra.org/

Contact us.

unitedwayofpekin@gmail.com
(309) 346-2433

206 N. 4th Street
Pekin, IL 61554