LIFT (Leading Individuals and Families to Transformation) Champaign was launched in November 2021, as the result of an innovative new partnership between the Champaign Unit 4 School District and the City of Champaign, with Unit 4 serving as the lead entity. LIFT focuses on African American youth in grades K-12, as well as their families, who are experiencing significant challenges academically and personally. The initiative provides trauma-informed care through intensive wraparound support and connections to both school-based and community resources. LIFT is designed to ensure students and families can succeed and thrive despite difficult circumstances or challenges in their scholastic or personal lives.
During the programs launch, Unit 4 School Board President, Amy Armstrong, said, “Unit 4 and the Board of Education is eager to begin this partnership with the City of Champaign and showcase the innovative program LIFT. Students and families need all of us as a community to surround them holistically with supports and services that get to the heart of hurt and trauma. LIFT will bring an organized community team approach that will help students and families heal and thrive – because if one of us is hurting, we all are impacted by that pain. Together we can LIFT each other to achieving goals and success.”
Champaign Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen added, “The City is very excited to partner with Unit 4 on this innovative new program which will provide critical support and resources to Champaign’s youth and families in need. I truly expect the LIFT program to live up to its name and to have a transformative impact on our entire community by supporting our youth and families during time of crises and helping them to realize their full potential.”
