Packing Kits, Building Resilience

Members of United Way of Metro Chicago's Young Leaders United helped assemble 250 disaster preparedness kits through the United We Prepare initiative.

United We Prepare, a United Way program supported by Verizon, helps make disaster preparedness easier, more affordable and more accessible by providing tools and information people can use before emergencies happen.

The kits include essential supplies to help families prepare for floods and other emergencies, including flood sensors, power banks, flashlights, ponchos, first aid kits, dry bags and electrolyte packets.

The 250 kits are part of a larger effort to assemble 1,000 kits for residents attending flood preparedness workshops hosted by United Way community partners in Austin, Brighton Park and Little Village. These West and Southwest Side neighborhoods have experienced flash flooding in recent years. 

Facilitated by the American Red Cross of Illinois, the workshops provide practical tips and tools to help residents prepare for flooding.

Young Leaders United is focused on driving real impact through United Way’s programs, and these kits are just one way our joint efforts can make sure families' basic needs are met and help them respond to urgent crises in real time.

Young Leaders United Chair Pablo Rosero

“Young Leaders United was excited to pitch in with United Way of Metro Chicago and help pack kits that will prepare residents for weather-related disasters,” said Young Leaders United Chair Pablo Rosero. 

“The Chicago region has experienced an astounding number of tornadoes, storms, and floods this summer that have caused devastating damage to homes and displaced many of our neighbors." 

Young Leaders United is a network of young professionals committed to creating lasting change across the Chicago region. Through volunteer opportunities, networking events and philanthropy, members support United Way of Metro Chicago's mission while helping strengthen local communities.

“Young Leaders United is focused on driving real impact through United Way’s programs and these kits are just one way our joint efforts can make sure families' basic needs are met and help them respond to urgent crises in real time,” Rosero said.