The City of Champaign is pleased to announce that starting today, May 26, 2022, the City’s new team of Neighborhood Ambassadors will be out engaging with and assisting Champaign’s residents and visitors. The program consists of four Neighborhood Ambassadors and one Neighborhood Ambassador Supervisor who will work proactively to assist residents, share information, and serve as an alternative first contact to address non-emergency community wellness and safety needs. The Neighborhood Ambassadors will start their engagement work with Champaign’s residents tonight at the City-sponsored “CommYOUnity” block party at Country Brook Apartments from 4-6 p.m.
“We’re very excited to launch the Neighborhood Ambassador program as a new way to get out and engage more with our community by providing guidance and assistance to our residents and visitors,” said Neighborhood Relations Manager John Ruffin. “The Neighborhood Ambassadors will be actively participating in City and community events and working proactively to help address wellness and safety concerns all over the city. In addition to providing assistance to neighborhoods, they’ll serve an important role in identifying and addressing minor issues before they become bigger public safety concerns. We’ve hired an amazing team of friendly and energetic people to serve in this new role and they’re very eager to get out and engage with the community starting tonight.”
The Neighborhood Ambassadors program is a pilot project that will operate year-round, primarily Tuesdays through Saturdays during afternoon and evening hours. They will serve all areas of Champaign. Neighborhood Ambassadors will help address safety and wellness concerns at a neighborhood-based level in partnership with residents and other community members. The Neighborhood Ambassadors will engage with the public where they are, both in neighborhoods and out on the streets, which provides new opportunities to exchange information and resources with residents and visitors. The City encourages our residents to engage with the Neighborhood Ambassadors, who will be easily identifiable through their branded uniforms.
For more information about the Neighborhood Ambassadors program contact the City’s Neighborhood Services Department at 217-403-7070 or [email protected].