Together We Can Build a More Equitable and Resilient Quad Cities
Persistent and underlying racism, prejudice and privilege prevent too many Quad Citizens from having the opportunity and access to develop their full potential.
While we have made strides to strengthen education, income and health in the Quad Cities, there is still much work to be done, especially in closing opportunity gaps in Black and Hispanic communities.
EDUCATION
11% of BLACK
24% of HISPANIC
36% of WHITE
students
reading on grade level
by 3rd grade.
INCOME
41% of BLACK
58% of HISPANIC
67% of WHITE
households
earning a
living wage.
HEALTH
73% of BLACK
69% of HISPANIC
75% of WHITE
Quad Citizens who report
having access to
routine health care.
United Way has collaborated with a broad spectrum of community partners to develop Rise United, a set of 10-year targets to drive transformative change and advance racial equity in the areas of education, income and health.
During the last year, United Way has increased awareness to racial inequities aiming to building community and political awareness to address them.
Through our United for Equity project, United Way has:
- Raised $200,000 for nonprofits, grassroots organizations and others focused on equity solutions to strengthen families, empower youth and educate the community.
- Convened 2,000 participants in the 21-Day Equity Challenge and 450 people in the Equity Summit.
- Delivered memos to elected officials on regional equity priorities identified by input provided by participants of United Way’s fall Equity Summit.
United for Equity
United for Equity is United Way Quad Cities' initiative to increase awareness of local racial inequities and build community and political awareness to address them. This multifaceted project aims to reduce and prevent racial inequities across systems that impact education, income and health in the Quad Cities.
Additional Resources
United Way Quad Cities seeks to engage the entire community in our work. We seek to value diversity by respecting and appreciating race, religion, language differences, abilities, national origin, ethnicity, age, gender, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation and socio-economic status. That commitment is reflected in all aspects of United Way’s work — including our staff, volunteers, partners, vendors and the community we serve.
- United Way Quad Cities’ vision and mission center on inclusion and equity.
- Our vision is that our community is a place where all individuals and families thrive — a community where everyone has the opportunity to live a healthy life, acquire the education they need to earn a good living and have a roof over their heads.
- We will be active allies to eradicate systemic and institutional racism in our community.
- To be inclusive is to leverage diversity by bringing unique individual backgrounds to collectively, individually and more effectively address issues facing our community.
- Our board, staff and volunteers must reflect the spectrum of faces and walks of life which make up our community It is our goal that our Board, staff, volunteers, partners, vendors, strategies and investments also reflect these values of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
- Together let’s embrace and leverage Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to ensure we all live our best lives, here in the Quad Cities region.
A more equitable Quad Cities starts with you. Here are some ways you can make a difference in our community:
- Join United Way Quad Cities in lifting up our community through a contribution to support this critical work.
- Mentor or volunteer through United Way Quad Cities’ African American Leadership Society. As a leader or ally, your support makes a major difference right here in the Quad Cities.
- Volunteer to assist Black, Brown and other underserved communities through our Volunteer Hub.
- Support Black-owned businesses locally. United for Equity partner Visit Quad Cities has compiled a list for your reference.
- Support local organizations that are working towards a more equitable Quad Cities, including NAACP Davenport, NAACP - Rock Island County, Illinois Branch, The QC Empowerment Network and The Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center.
- Educate yourself and your family. Here are some great places to start: