On Wednesday, November 13, 2024, the Champaign County Community Coalition held it’s Monthly meeting at the Holiday Inn Conference Center. Some highlights of the meeting include:
In response to the youth panel discussions held during previous Coalition meetings this spring, a Youth Survey was developed in collaboration with United Way and the Campus-Community Compact to Accelerate Social Justice. The survey aims to gather valuable insights into the experiences and perspectives of local youth, laying the groundwork for meaningful future engagement and activity.
A recap of the Black Mental Health and Wellness Conference, held on October 26th at Parkland College. Attendees received an in-depth overview of the conference, including highlights of the sessions, the involvement of local community partners who provided valuable resources and information, as well as key insights on attendance numbers and outcomes of the various sessions. Recaps of two sessions can be assessed on the City of Champaign’s website including Joe Omo-Osagie’s Pursuing Wellness and Karen Simms Understanding Racial Trauma.
A special tribute was held in honor of Chief of Police Timothy Tyler from A Cry for You, a foundation supporting mothers who have lost children to gun violence. This tribute acknowledged the exceptional efforts of the police in addressing gun violence within our community, as well as the invaluable support provided to those impacted by such tragic loss.
The Salvation Army also shared updates on the wide range of services they provide, highlighting key programs such as ESL classes, Canteen runs, youth initiatives, and support for veterans. They encouraged participating community members to get involved as the holiday season approaches, particularly by donating clothing and volunteering to ring bells for donations to the organization.
The Healing Project, a grassroots initiative born out of community organizing and the use of socially engaged art for healing and resistance, provided an overview of their work. They shared the organization’s history and mission, while also highlighting their current focus and ongoing projects aimed at fostering healing and social change.
A recap of the Homelessness Summit, held on Tuesday, November 12th, at the Champaign Public Library was also provided. The summit brought together local organizations working to address homelessness, with representatives from these groups delivering presentations on the services they offer and the strategies they are employing to tackle this growing issue in the community.
