On Wednesday, January 8, 2025, the Champaign County Community Coalition held its monthly meeting at the Holiday Inn Conference Center from 3:30 PM – 5 PM.
- Champaign County Young Lives shared details about their program, which supports expecting and parenting adolescents in developing leadership, life skills, and faith. Young Lives provides mentorship and a range of services, including residential housing options for young parents in need of safe and stable accommodations. The group also organizes a variety of events for young parents who may not be able to participate in traditional programs or activities.
- CU One to One Mentoring also shared information with participants about their program and opportunities for getting involved. This included sharing their mission statement, providing details about upcoming training opportunities, and offering information on scholarship funds available to students who partake in the program.
- CU Schools Foundation provided a brief overview of their organization and unveiled their new strategic plan, highlighting upcoming initiatives. They also announced a new grant cycle for the spring, aimed at supporting teachers with essential classroom supplies. They will also host various events throughout the winter and spring months.
- The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Countywide Celebration will be held on January 19th at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts from 5:00 – 7:00 PM, followed by a Unity Breakfast at Vineyard Church on January 20th at 8:30 AM. During this event, three distinguished community members will be honored with prestigious awards, selected through a vote by local residents. The award recipients are:
Tracy Dace – James R. Burgess/Susan Freiburg Humanitarian Award
Donna Tanner-Harold – Doris Hoskins Prestigious Community Service Award
Terry Townsend – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Outstanding Achievement Award
These awards recognize their exceptional contributions and commitment to fostering positive change in our community.
During the information-sharing segment of the meeting, community members highlighted the importance of supporting the referendum on April 1st to advance the efforts of the low-barrier shelter. The City of Urbana provided updates on several key initiatives, including the opening of a new grocery store, a grant to combat food insecurity, and the upcoming launch of a health and wellness center. Additionally, Illinois Soul will celebrate its one-year anniversary with a special event on February 1st at the Tyron Festival Theatre. There was also mention of an upcoming event for service providers to learn more about the Illinois Trust Act.