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On January 10, the Champaign County Community Coalition held its monthly meeting at the Holiday Inn Conference Center.
This months meeting highlighted Illinois Soul, a new media platform set to air starting February 1, 2024. This new audience service Illinois bridges the gap in the media landscape for the black community in Central Illinois. The platform will feature NPR programming, local news, music shows and public affairs.

Community law enforcement also shared information regarding recent shootings and violent crimes. Departments also spoke to their community engagement efforts for the 2024 calendar year, upcoming programs, and open positions.

RACES (Rape Advocacy Counseling and Education Services) shared with audience members information about their prevention and response services. Information related to the process in which cases are handled was also discussed.

Dispute Resolutions Institute spoke pertaining to their mission of help people find resolutions in conflict and the services the organization provides. They were also able to demonstrate examples of specific conflicts such as foreclosure, money disputes, and contract and volunteer disputes. They were able to walk audience members through how the organization would handle these conflicts and the manner in which cases would be resolved.

iRead iCount called for volunteers to assist in their mission of improving the achievement gap of children in our community. Over 200 volunteers are needed for spring 2024 to spend 1 hour a week for 7 weeks with kindergarten and 1st grade students referred to the program.

Community members were also able to share information related to upcoming events and programs.

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On December 13, 2023 community members were invited to participate in the first ever ‘Day of Forgiveness’ in Champaign County. This Day of Forgiveness began the night before when families impacted by gun violence were able to have a meal with Dr. Tony Davis, a gun violence survivor himself, to discuss grief and the journey of forgiveness. The following day, Dr. Davis went on guest star on “A Penny for Your  Thoughts” radio program and participated in a luncheon with community members at Douglas library to discuss his story.  This lunch provided an intimate setting to get to know Dr. Davis and discuss the ‘I Forgive’ film. Participants were able to ask Dr. Davis about his journey and how he navigated his path to forgiveness.

To highlight the day, the public was invited to a Community Coalition-led, free screening of the movie ‘I Forgive’ followed by a panel discussion featuring the film’s creator – Dr. Tony Davis. The faith-based film dramatizes the events of that traumatic day when Dr. Davis was brutally shot and left for dead. It goes on to detail Dr. Davis’ incredible account of the afterlife and how he refused to allow the violence and hatred he experienced to make him a victim, instead choosing the path of forgiveness. This event allowed community member to not only view the film but to interact with Dr. Davis and other local faith leaders as they discussed how forgiveness impacts their daily lives. They expanded on how forgiveness can impact a community and how forgiveness is not a feeling but a choice.

This was a community celebration of forgiveness bringing people from all over the community together including Mayor, Diane Feinen, Mayor, Diane Marlin, City council members Will Kyles and Kathy Shannon, City Manager, Dorothy David, Deputy City Manager, Joan Walls, Champaign County Sheriff, Dustin D. Heuerman, Chief of Police, Timothy Tyler, various city staff including NSD and CPD, other community organizations and numerous community members.

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On December 13, 2023 the Champaign County Community Coalition hosted their “Year in Review” meeting with a special guest Dr. Tony Davis. This end of year event was a celebration with music and holiday treats. Community members heard from the various local police departments on accomplishments achieved during 2023 including increased staff hiring, reduced gun violence incidence, and a massive increase in community engagement. During the year in review, key events were lighted that showcased the mission of the Community Coalition, including, amongst many, the Black Mental Health and Wellness Conference, summer initiatives to support youth, and youth employment services. Lastly, during this special Day of Forgiveness, the Community Coalition invited Dr. Tony Davis to discuss his story and journey of forgiveness and play the trailer of his movie “I Forgive.”

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On November 8, the Champaign County Community Coalition held its monthly meeting. First Followers shared information regarding their upcoming Families of Resilience event. Attendees also received updates from local Police Chief’s about recent crime activities and crime statistics throughout the year. Juan Huerta, the Deputy Director of Public Engagement for the Secretary of State, was also in attendance to discuss his role and promote the office’s mobile clinics for residents to receive their driver’s license.

The Illinois Education Association shared information regarding their LoveWorks initiative. Additionally, Parkland College provided information about National Apprenticeship Week with attendees. There was also an opportunity for information sharing regarding upcoming events and initiatives. Multiple organizations participated during this portion of the meeting, including the CU Reparations committee and ReDeploy. Attendees also learned of the Coalitions Day of Forgiveness before next month’s meeting. 

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On October 11, 2023 the Equity and Engagement department hosted the monthly Champaign County Community Coalition meeting. Information regarding the importance of gun safety was shared by Moms Demand Action, Unit 4 discussed the importance of school attendance, and the Community and Residential Services Authority shared information regarding children with behavioral needs and assisting parents with navigating their education.

Participants also were able learn about upcoming events for the Stop the Violence Program and News, Brews, and Beats and local Police Chiefs provided information on crime statistics throughout the area. Participants also learned about the Chancellor’s Compact community grant opportunity aimed at accelerating social justice in Champaign County and then heard about the successful Black Mental Health and Wellness Conference held on September 30.

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On September 30, 2023 the Champaign County Community Coalition hosted the Black Mental Health and Wellness conference at Parkland College. The conference aimed at addressing the challenges of mental health in the black community and assisting those affected and their families on a path to wellness.

Sessions included in-depth conversations about understanding mental health and mental illness, realizing and recognizing racialized trauma, the journey of grief, the black church and mental health, how to have difficult conversations about mental health, the journey of grief and pursuing wellness.

Thanks to the help of Parkland College, Champaign School District #4, Urbana School District #116, Carle Hospital, Urbana Rotary, University of Illinois, Regional Planning Commission, Housing Authority of Champaign County, and CUPHD the conference able to provide resources and information to participants.

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