Contributions to the United Way for Spoon River Country are invested in the following areas: - Nurturing Children (youth development, mentoring, support for at-risk children and youth). - Strengthening and Supporting Families (counseling, domestic violence services, disaster services, health and safety, end-of-life bereavement services). - Providing Basic Needs (access to food, housing, interpreter services, emergency services, and other basic supplies). - Fostering Independence (support for persons with disabilities, vocational training and job support, enhancement of the quality of life for older adults).