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On Wednesday, November 12, the Champaign County Community Coalition held its monthly meeting at the Holiday Inn Conference Center from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m.

The meeting began with a recap of the Black Mental Health and Wellness Conference, which took place on September 20th at Parkland College. Donna Tanner-Harold, Chair of the event, led the presentation, highlighting the number of attendees and the impact of the various sessions offered. She also praised the outstanding quality of the presenters and expressed great appreciation to the conference sponsors, whose support was essential in making the event a success.

Additionally, representatives from local law enforcement agencies shared updates on recent criminal activity and upcoming community events they will be participating in.

The City of Champaign’s Equity and Engagement Department introduced a significant new partnership with Acclivus aimed at addressing community violence. Acclivus, a Chicago-based organization specializing in Street Outreach and violence-reduction strategies will be establishing a presence in Champaign to provide similar, specialized services, focusing on de-escalation, mediation, and connecting individuals with resources.

During the information sharing portion of the meeting, The City of Champaign’s Neighborhood Services Department promoted the Housing Needs Analysis and Strategy Survey to identify gaps in the local housing supply. The H.O.Y.C.E. Center provided an overview of their program and solicited donations for their Annual Season of Giving to help families during the Holidays. Parkland College and United Way introduced the Community Foundation Leadership Program to train emerging non-profit talent. Lastly, participants were asked to complete the Coalition Priorities Feedback Survey to guide the Coalition’s future direction.

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On Wednesday, October 8, the Champaign County Community Coalition held its monthly meeting at the Holiday Inn Conference Center from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m.

During the meeting, representatives from local law enforcement agencies shared updates on recent criminal activity, upcoming community events they will be participating in, and provided information related to National Crime Prevention Month and Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The Housing Authority of Champaign County provided an overview of their YouthBuild program, which focuses on basic education, career exploration, leadership development, community service, and the construction of affordable housing. They shared the program’s mission, outlined key activities, and discussed participation requirements and overall program structure.

Unit 4 provided a recap of the 2025 YES Program, highlighting the various job sites that hosted students over the summer. They also shared student testimonials from participants in the Youth Participatory Action and Research (YPAR) program, offering insight into their experiences and the impact of the initiative.

Illinois Public Media shared updates on the potential impact of federal funding cuts to public media stations. They also provided information on upcoming programming for Illinois Soul and highlighted an upcoming event at City Winery in Chicago featuring artist Freddie Jackson on October 26th.

The Champaign Park District highlighted several new programs and initiatives recently launched at the Douglas Center, reflecting their continued commitment to enhancing community engagement and access to services. These initiatives include expanded recreational opportunities, youth development programs, wellness activities, and culturally relevant events.

Rosecrance provided an overview of the veteran services they offer, highlighting a range of programs designed to support the mental health and well-being of military veterans. Their presentation emphasized the importance of accessible care, counseling, substance use treatment, and transitional support services tailored to meet the unique needs of veterans and their families.

During the information-sharing portion of the meeting, Courage Connection announced an upcoming event in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Additionally, the NAACP shared details about their upcoming Freedom Fund Banquet, scheduled for October 25th.

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The Champaign County Community Coalition held its monthly meeting on September 10 at the Holiday Inn Conference Center.  This month’s meeting focused on the theme “Addressing our Juvenile Justice Crisis” and featured four panel discussions exploring different facets of the issue.

The first panel featured Champaign County State’s Attorney Julia Rietz, who provided an overview of the juvenile justice process and shared insights into how cases are handled within the legal system.
 
The second panel brought together representatives from law enforcement, probation services, and the Juvenile Detention Center, who discussed the internal operations of the juvenile justice system, including how youth are processed, supervised, and supported once they enter the system.

The third panel focused on supporting services, with representatives from case management teams, and community-based programs highlighting the critical resources available to youth and families. These services play a vital role in intervention, rehabilitation, and long-term support.

The fourth panel elevated youth voice, featuring young people who have been impacted by the juvenile justice system. This panel offered an honest and powerful look into the mindset of today’s youth, their experiences, and their perspectives on what changes are needed to support their growth and success.

The meeting served as a vital platform for education and open dialogue aimed at developing effective and sustainable solutions to support youth in our community.

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On August 13th, the Champaign County Community Coalition held its monthly meeting at the Holiday Inn Conference Center from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM.

During the meeting, representatives from local law enforcement agencies provided updates on recent criminal activity and shared information about upcoming community engagement events they are hosting or participating in.

Gift of Hope Organ and Tissue Donor Network highlighted National Minority Donor Awareness Month and welcomed a special guest who shared a powerful personal testimony about his experience receiving a life-saving organ transplant.

Promise Healthcare provided participants with an overview of its mission, history, and current initiatives, emphasizing its ongoing commitment to improving access to quality healthcare in the community.

iRead – iCount provided an overview of their program, which is designed to build a strong foundation in math and literacy for children in grades K–1. They also issued a call for volunteers to support their next two program cohorts.

Champaign Unit 4 Schools emphasized the importance of consistent attendance as students return for the new school year, noting its impact on academic success and student engagement.

During the information-sharing portion of the meeting, Family and Community Engaged STEAMM provided an overview of their program, highlighting key initiatives and the diverse range of programming they offer. Participants were also reminded about the upcoming Black Mental Health and Wellness Conference, scheduled for September 20th. Additionally, the City of Champaign shared highlights from the second round of its Small Business Program, which offers grants to eligible businesses based on specific criteria. Lastly, Rosecrance shared insights in recognition of Overdose Awareness Month and outlined a preliminary walk they will be offering on August 28th.

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The Champaign County Community Coalition held its monthly meeting on July 9.

The meeting included an update from Project Success – Rise-Up Gun Violence Prevention based in Danville, where representatives showcased a powerful student-produced video aimed at raising awareness and encouraging an end to gun violence in their community. 

A key highlight of the meeting was the update on the upcoming Black Mental Health and Wellness Conference, scheduled for September 20, 2025. The event will feature Dr. Tiffany Gholson of Breaking Barriers International as the keynote speaker and will offer eight dynamic sessions exploring topics like trauma-informed care, youth mental health, the role of the Black church, domestic violence, navigating difficult conversations, addiction, racialized trauma, and building emotional resilience.  Register for the conference.

Then representatives from the Champaign County Firearm Safety Program delivered a presentation to raise awareness about their initiative and encourage community members to actively participate in promoting responsible firearm safety. Learn more about this program.

Joy Academics, supported by the Champaign County Community Coalition’s summer initiatives, shared an overview of their program and highlighted the range of academic and enrichment services they offer students across the Champaign-Urbana area.

Local law enforcement agencies provided updates on recent crime trends and shared details about upcoming community engagement initiatives designed to strengthen public safety and trust.

And the Justice Victim Advocates (JVAs) from the Equity and Engagement Department provided an update on the support services they offer to victims and their families following incidents of gun violence. Their presentation offered an overview of the JVA team structure, how Community Gun Violence Reduction Blueprint partners are integrated into the response process, and the range of direct services provided to those impacted. 

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The Champaign County Community Coalition held its monthly meeting on Wednesday, June 11, at the Holiday Inn Conference Center.

A key highlight of the meeting was the update on the upcoming Black Mental Health and Wellness Conference, scheduled for September 20, 2025. The event will feature Dr. Tiffany Gholson of Breaking Barriers International as the keynote speaker and will offer eight dynamic sessions exploring topics such as trauma-informed care, youth mental health, the role of the Black church, domestic violence, navigating difficult conversations, addiction, racialized trauma, and building emotional resilience.

The Champaign–Urbana Public Health District also provided an update on the development of the Community Health Plan, which will guide public health priorities over the next five years. The plan will focus on four key areas: access to health care, promoting healthy behaviors, violence prevention, and behavioral health.

Additionally, local law enforcement agencies provided updates on recent crime trends and shared details about upcoming community engagement initiatives designed to strengthen public safety and trust.

During the Information Sharing segment, Juneteenth celebrations were highlighted. Events included celebrations by CU Trauma & Resilience Initiative, The Well Experience, Illinois Soul, Champaign Public Library and Champaign Park District, the City of Urbana, Urbana Park District, and Bethel AME Church. Additionally, an update was shared highlighting a recent event hosted by the CU Reparations Coalition, offering participants insight into the coalition’s ongoing efforts and community engagement.

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