City Funds On-Site Programming for Area Youth
On October 18, 2022, the City Council approved an agreement with Stephen’s Family YMCA for onsite “Y on the Fly” youth programming in the Countrybrook and Champaign Park Apartments neighborhood. This is part of the City’s Community Gun Violence Reduction Blueprint initiative to improve community safety. This space will also be available for Blueprint and […]
City Staff Attends Illinois Black Legislative Caucus Annual Conference
Community Relations Manager Tracy Parsons attended the Illinois Black Legislative Caucus Annual Conference from October 13-16, 2022. The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus works to assure that the interests of African American citizens are given equitable representation in the General Assembly and that legislative action is directed to address those interests. The annual conference is an […]
E&E Staff Facilitates Youth Development Activities
On October 14, Justice Victim Advocate, Charles Young (Equity and Engagement Dept.) facilitated a STEM Academy Fab Friday activity with students at Booker T. Washington STEM Academy. This is part of an ongoing project to assist the youth in producing a hip hop anthem for their class by remixing the school’s pledge. Fab Fridays are an […]
City Hosts Community Violence Response Meeting
Justice Victim Advocates from the Equity and Engagement Department canvassed Champaign Park Apartments on October 13, 2022, to notify residents of the October 19 Community Violence Response Meeting in response to recent shootings in the area. The meeting was held at the Leonhard Recreation Center. Attendees learned about Community Gun Violence Reduction Blueprint resources to […]
Community Coalition Hosts Monthly Meeting
On Wednesday October 12, the Champaign Community Coalition held its monthly meeting and heard updates from community partners including the African American Heritage Trail, the League of Women Voters, and Victory Fest. Additional presenters included Unit 4 schools who spoke about importance of students attending school every day. Law enforcement leadership from Champaign, Urbana, the […]
Equity and Engagement Staff Speaks to Centennial Seniors
On October 12, 2022, Acting Community Relations Manager Mary Catherine Roberson participated in a roundtable discussion with Centennial High School Intro to Education students about the role of the City’s Equity and Engagement Department. The students are researching City of Champaign resources to learn more about the community in which they will be teaching.
Community Engagement with Justice Victim Advocates
Community Engagement with Justice Victim Advocates On Friday, October 7, Justice Victim Advocate (JVA) Jarrel Young of the City’s Equity and Engagement Department (E&E) facilitated a hip hop workshop at Booker T. Washington STEM Academy’s Fab Friday program. Fab Fridays is a weekly program where students spend half the day with visitors from various outside […]
City of Champaign Celebrates Pride Fest 2022
On October 1, 2022, Uniting Pride held the Pride Parade and Fair in downtown Urbana. Thanks to all the amazing support from staff and elected officials, the City of Champaign showed up in a big way! Mayor Feinen, Council Members Foellmer, Pianfetti, and Beck, as well as City staff representing six different departments (City Manager’s […]
City Staff Prepares for Pridefest!
A huge thank you to everyone who met at Public Works to build the City’s float for the 2022 Pride Parade! On Saturday, October 1, the City will participate in the Parade and at an informational table during the Pride Fest Fair. If you are interested in walking in the Parade, please arrive at 10:15 […]
Community Partner Open House
Friday, September 23rd, the Trauma & Resilience Initiative, First Followers, and the Youth & Family Peer Support Alliance held an open house for their brand-new location at 102 N State Street in Champaign. Community Relations Specialist, April Faulkner (E&E), attended the open house to support the community partners and discuss what plans they had for […]