The Champaign Community Coalition had its monthly meeting yesterday. More information about the organization on the Cheat Sheet here and their website here. A theme that ran through the meeting was about the weather improving with the season and a need to redouble efforts for the violence and crime that comes with it. Police representatives and activists alike pointed to the idle time on people's hands, being outdoors more, and even issues where people want to leave their windows open or using their garages and sheds providing opportunity for theft when left unsupervised. The Champaign Police representative summed it up his advice as "Lock it / Hide it / Keep it."
The Urbana Police representative noted an increase in shootings already from last year, including two since the last meeting. There has been a general uptick in the usual "juvenile shenanigans" such as criminal damage, fights, and so on. There were a few questions about what has been shattering windows on area interstates, but there wasn't any new information other than they're still working on it and to report anything suspicious you see.
The Champaign County chapter of the NAACP had a presentation by their president, Minnie Pearson, about the work they do locally. This ranged from investigating reports of discrimination and work to resolve them under the Civil Rights Act of 1964. She highlighted a program to help with dialysis and health care needs in the community. She also highlighted the Afro-Academic Cultural Technological and Scientific Olympics which is a competition involving local high school students that have gone on to be known for their talents in national competition.
She also described some of their anti-bullying work with cyber-bullying, a criminal justice initiative with the Illinois Association of Police Chiefs, and a program to help teach kids how to safely interact with police. The meeting agenda was packed so the presentation went by very quickly. She ended on a note encouraging recruitment, "Don't tell me [the NAACP] doesn't apply to me because I'm white. It's for everyone!"
A representative from the Carle program Healthy Beginnings presented an overview of a program targeting areas of poverty in Champaign-Urbana with targeted health care access programs and support. Notably this support starts at prenatal care as they explained that early life, even prenatal care, circumstances can have long term effects on life outcomes. More from their about page. Here's a quick excerpt:
We believe every parent deserves the resources to build a limitless life for their children and families. By working closely with our community partners, we are building a culture of health, ensuring children and their families, regardless of life circumstances, have an opportunity to be prosperous and live the healthiest life they can.
Services Offered
- Nurse home visiting care/support for pregnant moms & their families (the ONLY home visiting services of its kind in the area with interpreter services)
- Mobile clinic services (Summer 2018)
- Child and family education
- Employment opportunities
- Healthy food access
- Many more being developed with partners!
Overall their approach is a holistic community support concept to end cycles of poverty as opposed to just focusing on the medical access issues. For example they highlighted support for the Community School Model that's shown some effectiveness (adopted in Bloomington and recently Rantoul if I heard correctly). They also stressed the importance of dealing with Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and encourage folks check out the CDC website on the subject. I've been hearing a lot more focus on trauma related to a lot of community activism lately. That could be a good sign.
After that the Youth Employment Services (YES) program issued a report on 110-115 students or so they've been matching up with 35-40 employers and some progress with adding more via the Chamber of Commerce.
The Urbana Police Department a local student presented a video on educating young students on how to deal with a traffic stop with a cooperative and uncooperative example and discussions afterward. The video employed a local police officer and local high school students for the video simulating the stops. They explained that the key point was to give the same respect you think you deserve. It highlighted the stigma that police face and pointed out that all police aren't the same and all departments aren't the same. The recreations used a white officer and young African-American students, but the stigma of greater concern appeared to be what the officers faced in that situation. The student volunteer said he participated because many of his friends don't know what to do in that situation and he wanted to help.
The Urbana Park District handed out information on free events coming up, including Play Days in the park this summer. The Champaign Community Coalition are enhancing those events with more activities and funding. This will be occurring at the parks considered neighborhood parks more so than the more touristy spots. Similar summer programs will be happening in Champaign, they said.
Urbana is having a Walk, Roll, or Stroll with the Mayors event coming up with both Champaign and Urbana mayors. More info here.
Moms Demand Action highlighted the upcoming June 2nd "wear orange" events and attempts to make June 2nd National Gun Violence Awareness Day. The events will include some of those performances cancelled at the March for our Lives event in March due to a late Central Illinois blizzard.
Tracy Parsons, the facilitator started to wrap up the meeting with a quick summary of upcoming issues:
Next month there will be a new initiative announced for young men struggling with serious life decisions and connecting them with community volunteers. Everyone will be working on eliminating idle time for bad decisions. The Mental Health Board (MHB) is working on summer initiatives. Racial Taboo, a community group discussing racial issues locally as part of a project around the documentary of the same name, is planning a meeting on June 11th 11-1:30 at the Baha'i Center in Champaign.
There was a last minute announcement from Stop the Violence / Increase the Peace that they're working with Lincoln's Challenge this year at Parkland possibly working with cars again for activities.
The meeting ended on a note of hope in spite of the current concerns and need for vigilance over the summer with the violence issue: last year ended with 25% less violence so the work by various groups in the community is helping.
The meeting adjourned at 5:07pm.
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