Inaugurated on February 20, 2013 as a “campus walk” to distribute alcohol safety information to University of Illinois students prior to “Unofficial St. Patrick’s Day,” Walk as One is noteworthy for its ability to organize and mobilize individuals and organizations through partnerships that range from the University of Illinois, the Champaign Police, and the City of Champaign to the Champaign County Unit for Schools and Parkland College.
Since its beginning, Walk as One has developed an open communication strategy that uses direct canvassing and talking with people on doorsteps, on the street and in other public spaces. These events are designed to promote peace and resiliency, as well as inform and empower residents.
These events have included the following topics:
- Inform families about summer programming for youth
- Invite residents to Neighborhood Safety Forums to share their safety concerns and discuss solutions
- Deliver kindergarten readiness kits to families with children ages 0 to 5.
- Inform residents in neighborhoods impacted by violence about community violence crisis response efforts
- Deliver alcohol safety information on campus in advance of “Unofficial St. Patrick’s Day”.
- Distribute safety and crime prevention information
- Informing residents about mental health resources
Read, Talk, Play for Kindergarten Readiness
This event was developed in tandem with United Way of Champaign and CU Cradle 2 Career to increase kindergarten readiness for families with young children in the Champaign Urbana Area. The last event was held in 2021 where more than 400 ‘Getting Ready for Kindergarten’ kits were handed out as part of the Walk as One effort. The kits were filled with great tools to help pare
