City and Partners Celebrate Welcoming Week 2022
Celebrated September 9 – September 18, Welcoming Week is an annual campaign to showcase the movement of communities striving to be more welcoming places for all, including immigrants. Welcoming Week provides individuals and communities the opportunity to proclaim welcoming values through events and local initiatives that foster mutual understanding between immigrants and non-immigrants, as well […]
City Staff Respond to Recent Incidents of Community Gun Violence
On September 7, 2022, staff from the Community Safety and Justice Division (Equity and Engagement) hosted a community meeting at Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in response to a series of recent shootings near the Garden Hills neighborhood. Residents were informed of Community Gun Violence Reduction Blueprint resources to help address issues and find solutions […]
Equity and Engagement Booth at School of Social Work Intern Fair
Community Relations Specialist April Faulkner represented the City’s Equity and Engagement Department at this year’s intern fair at the UIUC School of Social Work. Dozens of organizations attended the fair and more than 100 bachelor’s and master’s students came out. Students were able to speak to representatives about the organization’s mission as well as learn […]
Equity and Engagement Staff Canvass Neighborhood to Inform Residents of Community Gun Violence Response Meeting
Justice Victim Advocates Jarrel Young and Eric Toga (Equity and Engagement Dept.) canvassed Bloomington Rd. and Mattis Ave. for a Community Gun Violence Response Meeting scheduled for next Wednesday 9/7/22 at 6 p.m. at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church. This meeting is in response to a recent shooting incident in the neighborhood. Door to door canvassing […]
Champaign County Community Coalition Supports Rantoul Works Youth Summer Program
On August 9, 2022, Community Relations Manager Tracy Parsons (Equity and Engagement Dept.) visited with youth participating in “Rantoul Works”, a Champaign County Community Coalition Youth Summer Initiative Program. Nearly 40 youth completed this program, working to clean up neighborhoods in Rantoul for three hours daily in July and August. This was an opportunity for […]
Equity and Engagement Staff engages with kindergarten students at DREAAM Academy
On Thursday, August 4, 2022, the Community Safety and Justice Division participated in DREAAM Academy’s READ Aloud event for incoming kindergarteners. Justice Victim Advocate, Jarrel Young read “Change Sings: A Children’s Anthem” by Amanda Gorman and gave the children words of encouragement during their huddle time. The youth and staff were informed about the City’s […]
Champaign County Community Coalition Hosts Monthly Meeting in Urbana
On Wednesday, July 13th, the Champaign County Community Coalition met at the Radisson Hotel in Urbana to discuss new programs within the community as well as receive updates on existing programs. Attendees received law enforcement updates from Champaign, Urbana, the U of I, and the Sheriff’s Dept. Additional information was shared about Unit 4 Youth […]
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.
Celebrate Juneteenth!
Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed. The troops’ arrival came a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth is considered the […]
Welcoming Interactive Annual Conference
From May 17 – May 20, Equity and Engagement Dept. staff member, Mary Catherine Roberson attended Welcoming Interactive 2022, an annual conference that highlights successful practices and inspiring stories about immigrant inclusion, programs, policies, and partnerships on economic development, civic engagement, government leadership, and more. Over 400 leaders in community, government, and nonprofit sectors gathered […]