Our Goals

United Way of Adams County provides several services directly to the community... from discounts on medicine through the FamilyWize Drug Discount Card to the Help Line for information on community resources.

United Way Help Line 

Each year, the Help Line receives nearly 1,100 calls from individuals seeking information and assistance. The most common needs are help with rent, utilities, and transportation to medical appointments. In addition to connecting people to essential community resources, many callers benefit from deeper advocacy to help them navigate the social service system effectively.
 

Quincy Area Partnership for Unmet Needs

The Quincy Area Partnership for Unmet Needs steps in when other options are exhausted. In FY2020, the Partnership provided over $21,800 in financial assistance, supporting more than 240 individuals and families in need.
 

Dolly Parton Imagination Library

Inspired by her father's inability to read, the country singer founded the Imagination Library to help kids develop a love of books and reading. Every month, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library mails a free book to children registered for the program; enrollment can begin at birth and lasts until a child turns five. United Way is proud to administer this program for Adams County. 
 

Interagency Council

Convened by United Way, the Adams County Interagency Council meets monthly to give local social service agencies a platform to network and stay informed about local resources. This collaboration fosters stronger connections, making referrals between agencies more efficient and impactful.
 

Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD)

The Adams County VOAD committee unites the faith community, businesses, and social service organizations to support disaster recovery efforts. United Way serves as the lead agency for VOAD, coordinating resources and preparing the community to respond effectively in times of need.
 

Good New of Christmas

The Good News of Christmas campaign, sponsored by United Way of Adams County, is now in its 36th year of spreading holiday cheer to individuals and families in need. Since its inception in 1988, this campaign has provided more than $1.75 million in assistance and countless volunteer hours and services to help over 1,500 families regain stability during the holiday season.

Each year, caseworkers select families across The Herald-Whig’s circulation area in Illinois and Missouri to receive aid based on their unique circumstances. What began as an idea proposed by several Herald-Whig employees in 1988 quickly became the newspaper’s first large-scale community support initiative. Today, citizens, businesses, schools, and organizations throughout West-Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri continue to contribute generously, showcasing the region's deep compassion and commitment to helping others.
In recent years, United Way of Adams County has taken on the coordination of this impactful project. The campaign's legacy of generosity has been widely recognized, including Quincy’s prestigious Governor’s Cup award in 1991 for volunteerism and a community service award from the Illinois Press Association in 2014. The Good News of Christmas campaign remains a testament to the power of community, compassion, and holiday spirit.

Emergency Food & Shelter Program (EFSP)

United Way of Adams County coordinates the local board of the national EFSP, directing funds to Adams, Brown, Hancock, and Pike Counties. These funds help local agencies provide rent and utility assistance and support food pantry supplies for those facing hardship.
 

Familywise Prescription Discount Card

As a national partner in the Familywise Prescription Discount Program, United Way distributes discount cards to Adams and Pike County residents, social service agencies, and healthcare providers, making medications more affordable for our community.