Welcoming Communities Conference
On June 22, 2023, Rachel Joy, Equity and Engagement Director, was one of 3 virtual panelists for the Welcoming Communities Conference held in person at the Gering Civic Center in Gering, Nebraska. She was joined by the Community Outreach Specialist for the City of Grand Forks, North Dakota who is also a professor at the […]
CPD Officers Support Special Olympics with Annual Torch Run
On June 7, 2023, Champaign Police officers once again supported the Special Olympics by participating in Leg Two of the Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run. This rainy event brought together officers from the Champaign, Urbana, Rantoul, University of Illinois, and Parkland Police Departments, Champaign County Sheriff’s Office, and METCAD 9-1-1 to carry the “Flame of […]
Community Canvassing in Garden Hills
Friday April 21,2023, Justice Victim Advocates Jarrel Young and Eric Toga (Equity and Engagement Department) canvassed Sandra Drive and Cynthia Drive in Champaign. Located in the Garden Hills neighborhood this community had experienced gun violence a couple days prior. Door-to-door canvassing helps get the word out about upcoming events, links residents to resources, and strengthens […]
Songwriting at Kenwood Elementary School
April 6th, 2023, Justice Victim Advocate, Jarrel Young (Equity and Engagement) facilitated a hip hop workshop at Kenwood Elementary School. Jarrel teamed up with Emily Kuchenbrod’s 5th grade class to create a song about social justice which included songwriting, beat making, and video production.
Human Resources Presentation
March 31, 2023, Human Resources Director, Amanda Farthing, gave a presentation to students at the Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business at Saint Louis University on HR, leadership, and management. Amanda shared details about her career path and why she enjoys working in municipal government. Students asked questions about the human resources profession, workforce structure, […]
Community Outreach with CAACI
April 2, 2023, Community Relations Specialist, April Faulkner (E&E), presented at the annual meeting for the Chinese American Association of Central Illinois. During this event, April presented an overview of how the City of Champaign is organized. This included how the Mayor and City Council function which participants took a special interest in. Multiple people […]
City Staff Discusses Role of the Equity and Engagement Dept. with U of I students
On July 6, Acting Community Relations Manager Mary Catherine Roberson (E&E) spoke to students in the U of I School of Social Work about her work in the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Division. Students also learned about the City’s community outreach efforts and ways they can get involved.