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On May 8, 2024, the Champaign County Community Coalition held its monthly meeting. As a follow up to last month’s meeting, where local students were given the opportunity to share their struggles in finding activities to participate in throughout the community, a guide was created to use when planning activities based on what students suggested. This will make it easier for youth to engage with the community in ways that they may not have considered.

The Housing Authority of Champaign County presented general information about their organization. This included the services they offer, populations served, and the SHIFT program which is aimed at support for a successful exit from voucher assistance. The University of Illinois Chancellor’s Compact gave an overview of their focus areas and timeline of activities since 2023. They were also able to share updates regarding upcoming programming and grant opportunities.

Two very emotional presentations occurred this month that had the whole meeting in tears. “A Cry for You” is a non-profit organization that offers a support system for parents and families experiencing grief. They were able to provide information regarding their program and how they support families who have experienced losing a loved one to gun violence. They also shared with participants the opportunity to support their Sons in Heaven Gala on Tuesday, October 5th from 5 – 9 PM at the IHotel. In addition, the Sheehan Family presented about an initiatives born out of the loss of their son in a tragic house fire. In partnership with the Champaign Fire Department, they will be hosting the Christian Sheehan Smoke Alarm Blitz on Saturday, May 18th from 8 AM – 12 PM at the Douglass Community Center. This annual smoke alarm blitz has provided over 1000 smoke alarms to families.

The information sharing portion of the meeting consisted of brief updates regarding programming and job opportunities from Stop the Violence, Black Mental Health and Wellness Part 2 – The Work Continues, Don Moyers Boys and Girls Club – Champaign County Mental Health Board Summer Initiatives, and Champaign County Probation and Court Services.

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On April 10th, the Champaign County Community Coalition held their monthly meeting at the Holiday Inn.

The meeting featured two youth panels discussing both current and desired opportunities for programming. Tracy Parsons asked the participants a series of questions to display what they loved about their current programs. The highlight of the panel discussions was the feedback from students about the types of activities and engagement they would like to see offered. 

Panel participants belonged to a wide range of youth programs, including Operation Hope, Youth for Christ, Urbana Neighborhood Connections Center, and the Don Moyer Boys & Girls Club, who were all in attendance.

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On March 13, the Champaign County Community Coalition held their monthly meeting at the Wyndham Garden Conference Center.

The meeting featured updates from local law enforcement regarding recent crime activities and engagement efforts.

The City of Champaign Neighborhood Services Department was able to promote their upcoming Champaign Neighborhood Network Conference and Campaign. The conference is set to take place May 17, 2024, at the I Hotel & Illinois Conference Center from 8 am – 5 pm. The conference will feature a set of workshops from local resource organizations and governmental departments, allowing them to share information relevant to neighborhoods throughout the community. On May 18, from noon – 4 pm the campaign will begin with a cookout, concert, and resource fair that will be the first in a series of summer engagement activities.

Rotary International was also able to provide an overview as to their mission and the eight actions to promote peace. They were able to touch on access to information, maintaining healthy relationships with neighbors and providing resources that allow for residents to be self-sustainable. Information about activities local Rotary Club’s support and updates regarding upcoming events were also shared.

The League of Women Voters, shared information about voting registration options for the upcoming election. They also highlighted their student ambassador program, who assist their peers in registering to vote.

On April 4, 2024, Walk as One is coordinating the MLK March for Peace from 5:30 pm – 7 pm at King Park (915 W Wascher Dr., Urbana, IL 61801). This will be an opportunity for the community to come together and share information with residents in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.

During the information sharing portion of the meeting, the Stop the Violence program shared information about an upcoming meeting in June. The Don Moyers Boys and Girls club also shared that they are now accepting registrations for upcoming summer programming. The Youth Assessment Center reminded participants that they are accepting referrals for youth to the program.

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On February 14, 2024, the Champaign County Community Coalition held its monthly meeting at Holiday Inn Conference Center (101 Trade Center Dr., Champaign, IL 61820).

This month’s meeting included updates from local law enforcement regarding crime statistics, upcoming engagement efforts, and partnership opportunities.

Operation Hope, a college and career readiness program through Unit 4 held a panel discussion with participants of the program. Through this discussion, the participants were able to talk about their recent career exploration trip to AMC Salon where they learned valuable tools for paths and careers that do not require college degrees. The participants also spoke of their need for spaces and activities in Champaign, that center around their interest and are appropriate for their age group.

Lunch Crew, a program through Youth for Christ spoke regarding their initiative of bringing University of Illinois students and programs to local high school and middle school students. They were able to collaborate with university graduate students to teach local kids about STEM through projects and activities.

Rosecrance shared with audience members their programs and services. They were also able to speak about their collaboration efforts with local law enforcement agencies on the Crisis Co-Response team and highlight their Criminal Justice program. They were also able to promote their upcoming Therapeutic Recreation Workshop set to take place on March 7, 2024.

The Justice Coalition at Champaign-Urbana Public Health District promoted their Black Health, Wealth, Wellness event set to be held on February 22^nd  from 6 pm – 7:30 pm in the main conference room of their building (201 W. Kenyon Road, Champaign, IL 61820). They were also able to discuss the formation of the coalition and their goals as they move forward.

During the information sharing portion of the meeting, Illinois Soul was highlighted as they continue their series of events for Black History Month.

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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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