The Community Coalition
The Champaign County Community Coalition (Community Coalition) is a diverse group of people from all over Champaign County who have come together with the common goal of improving our communities.
The Community Coalition's philosophy is to identify, support, and expand effective strengths-based programs that exist throughout the community. If that is not possible, new opportunities may be created. Explore the tools below to provide feedback on what you would like to see and hear more about through the Community Coalition.
To learn more about the Community Coalition and how to get involved, visit the Community Coalition's website.
Vision
To provide a network of organizations and stakeholders that improve the lives of youth and their families resulting in youth who are empowered and safe, to promote effective law enforcement and positive police-community relations, and to support greater knowledge/use of the resources available.
The 5 priorities of the Community Coalition
Priorities of the Community Coalition are assessed each year to make sure that they align with the needs of the community. The objective is to improve community relations through a number of programs and services. Our current priorities are focused on:
- Police and Community Relations
- Community Engagement
- Youth Development
- Community Violence
- Mutual Advocacy
Ready to get involved?
We need feedback from community members like you to make sure that the Champaign County Community Coalition is reaching its full potential! We know that the days are short and the meeting lists are long so please take a minute to complete the questionnaires below so we can curate meetings that meet your interests!
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2024 Annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Countywide Celebration
January 14, 2024, was the 23rd annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Countywide Celebration at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. Thanks to the assistance of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Advocacy for Justice and MLK Countywide Committees, attendees were able to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King, while also recognizing 3 individuals exhibiting a strong commitment to his dream and our community. The event also featured a reading of the proclamation from the MLK Countywide Executive Committee and a special keynote from Reverend Dr. William H. Foster, Jr. of Providence Baptist Church in Chicago, IL.
The winners of the MLK Countywide Committee Community Awards were:
Marco Price – James R. Burgess, Jr./Susan Freiburg Humanitarian Award
Rev. Herbert D. Burnett – Doris Hoskins Prestigious Community Service Award
Minnie Pearson – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Outstanding Achievement Award
Following the celebration, a Unity Breakfast was held on January 15, 2024, at Vineyard Church celebrating the recipients of the Martin Luther King, Jr. “Living the Dream” scholarship. Local high school students showcasing outstanding achievement in the classroom and throughout the community were recognized for their hard work and rewarded with up to $1,000 in scholarship funding for their future collegiate endeavors.
Day of Forgiveness
On December 13, 2023 community members were invited to participate in the first ever ‘Day of Forgiveness’ in Champaign County. This Day of Forgiveness began the night before when families impacted by gun violence were able to have a meal with Dr. Tony Davis, a gun violence survivor himself, to discuss grief and the journey of forgiveness. The following day, Dr. Davis went on guest star on “A Penny for Your Thoughts” radio program and participated in a luncheon with community members at Douglas library to discuss his story. This lunch provided an intimate setting to get to know Dr. Davis and discuss the ‘I Forgive’ film. Participants were able to ask Dr. Davis about his journey and how he navigated his path to forgiveness.
To highlight the day, the public was invited to a Community Coalition-led, free screening of the movie ‘I Forgive’ followed by a panel discussion featuring the film’s creator – Dr. Tony Davis. The faith-based film dramatizes the events of that traumatic day when Dr. Davis was brutally shot and left for dead. It goes on to detail Dr. Davis’ incredible account of the afterlife and how he refused to allow the violence and hatred he experienced to make him a victim, instead choosing the path of forgiveness. This event allowed community member to not only view the film but to interact with Dr. Davis and other local faith leaders as they discussed how forgiveness impacts their daily lives. They expanded on how forgiveness can impact a community and how forgiveness is not a feeling but a choice.
Who's Listening
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Facilitator of the Community Coalition
Phone 217-403-8830 Email outreachandengagement@champaignil.gov -
Community Relations Specialist
Phone 217-403-8830 Email outreachandengagement@champaignil.gov