Other
Crime Victims / Offenders
Central Illinois
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD Illinois) (1980 A,L) This group provides phone support and victim court advocacy to people who are coping with the loss of a loved one from an alcohol-related crash. Contact MADD for meeting times. Email: Kristi.hosea@madd.org Local Website: madd.org/local-offices/il Location: Online via Zoom National Website: madd.org Phone: (217) 523-MADD (6233) or (877) MADD (6233)-HELP (4357) (24 Hour Helpline). Schedule: Meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month
*Write: MADD Illinois, 276 E Deerpath Rd, Unit 405 Lake Forest, IL 60045
Champaign
Journey (1997 F,L) This is an advocacy group which raises awareness of alcohol-related deaths. It aids the courts through fundraising and by furnishing video cameras for police agencies to assist in prosecuting offenders. The group also researches effective court models. Contact Person(s): Jim or Barb Esworthy Email: besworth@illinois.edu Phone: (217) 582-2324
*Write: Ogden UMC/ Journey, P.O. Box 37, Ogden IL 61859
Parent Support Group for Children in the Legal System (2016, F,L) This support group allows parents to connect with other parents who have youth involved in the justice system and learn strategies to help yourself and your child. Contact Person(s): Gabriela Quijada and Rebecca Woodard Email(s): gquijada@ccrpc.org and rwoodard@ccrpc.org Location: Youth Assessment Center, 402 Randolph Champaign Phone: (217) 239-5933 Schedule: Meets 1st Thursday, 6:00-7:00p.m.
Employment
Champaign
Job Club (1981 F,P/L) This group provides a classroom environment to address workforce issues for unemployed and underemployed people. It is free to eligible people under the Workforce Investment Act. Information, support, and development of employment skills are available. Computers, fax machine, telephone, and individual case management are also provided. Follow-up case management is available after exiting the program. Meets Tues. and Thurs. 2:00-4:00 p.m. Call to schedule an orientation before attending. Contact Person: Mike Rainer Email: mrmaimer@ccrpc.org Local Website: illinoisworknet.com Phone: (217) 531-8274 Schedule: Meets Tuesday and Thursday 2:00-4:00 p.m.
*Write: Champaign Illinois Work Net Center, 1307 N Mattis Ave., Champaign IL 61821
INTERSEX
Central Illinois
Intersex Social and Support Group (2023, L) This Zoom group provides support to Intersex individuals, their families, and allies. Individual meetings are currently being offered as well as group meetings. Contact Robbi for meeting times and zoom information. Email: robbirussell00@gmail.com Contact Person: Robbi Russell
Neighborhood Groups
Champaign
City of Champaign – Neighborhood Services Department This office administers a citizen engagement and participation program which includes a neighborhood registration process for neighborhood watch groups, home owners associations, lake owners associations, business associations, and neighborhood groups. The office provides access to organizational support, technical assistance, and small grant funding for many groups. Contact Person: John Ruffin, City of Champaign Neighborhood Services Department Email: neighborhoodservices@ci.champaign.il.us Local Website: ci.champaign.il.us/departments/neighborhood-services/ Phone: (217) 403-7070 (Mon-Fri 8:00-5:00 p.m.)
*Write: City of Champaign Neighborhood Services Department, 102 N. Neil St., Champaign IL 61820
Downtown Neighborhood Association of Urbana (D.N.A.) (1995 F,L) This group advocates for the preservation of neighborhoods in the downtown area of Urbana. It includes community building and crime prevention activities. Membership fees are $1 for low income individuals, $2 for regular individual membership, and $5 for families. Contact Person: Dorothy Neumann Phone: (217) 344-1427
*Write: Dorothy Neuman, DNA of Urbana, 301 Griggs St., Urbana IL 61801
Historic East Urbana Neighborhood Association (HEUNA) (2001 F,L) This group serves as a voice in the community to promote building, preserving, and maintaining the small-town, historic nature of east Urbana through surveys, forums, public meetings, educational workshops, and social gatherings. Contact Person: Christopher Stohr. Email: cstohr28@gmail.com Local Website: heuna.org
*Write: HEUNA, 501 E. High St., Urbana, IL 61801
Southeast Urbana Neighborhood Association This nonpartisan, community-based organization serves the geographic area bounded roughly by Florida Ave., Lincoln Ave., Windsor Rd., and Philo Rd. in southeast Urbana. Activities focus on neighborhood safety, renewal of the Philo Road Business District, and building community. Annual membership dues are $5. An annual neighborhood-wide meeting is held each spring, usually in May. Contact Person(s): Jill Peckham and Jason Votava Email(s): jpeckham@gmail.com and jasonvotava@gmail.com Local Website: sunaurbana.org
United Garden Hills Association (1996 F,L) This group is devoted to promoting neighborhood wellness. A newsletter is available. Contact Person: Amy Revilla Email: crar1526@gmail.com Location: Garden Hills Schools, Champaign Phone: (217) 352-5752 Schedule: Meets 3rd Mondays, 6:30 p.m.
*Write: United Garden Hills Association, 1724 Anita Dr., Champaign IL 61821
West Urbana Neighborhood Association (WUNA) (2002 F,L) This group preserves the residential integrity of the west Urbana neighborhood by maintaining and enhancing a friendly, attractive, and safe environment. WUNA covers the Urbana area bordered by Main St. (N.), Lincoln Ave. (W.), Vine St., (E.), and Florida Ave. (S.). Participation in the group and listserv to discuss neighborhood issues is limited to residents of the area. Annual dues are $5 to vote. Meets once a year in the spring. See website for more information. Local Website: westurbana.org
*Write: WUNA, P.O. Box 82, Urbana, IL 61803
Public Speaking
Champaign
Fireside Toastmasters (2000 A,L) This group provides a mutually supportive and a positive learning environment for developing communication and leadership skills. It fosters self-confidence and personal growth. Must be 18 years old to join. The Toastmaster International dues are $60 every six months (April and October), plus a one-time new member fee of $20, and club dues are $5. Guests are welcome and may attend free of charge. Contact Person: Jeff Lehman Email: jlentp@aol.com Location: Meets in person and on zoom, Champaign Public Library 200 W Green St., Champaign Phone: (217) 722-6988 Schedule: Meets on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month. 6:00-7:00 p.m.
McKinley Toastmasters Club (1947 A,L) This group helps people, ages 18 and older, develop self confidence and career skills at meetings using the “Pathways” program and other activities. You gain experience and confidence through the regular practice of public speaking in front of a group of friends and understanding members. There are yearly dues and compared to a Duke Carnegie course, a very reasonable investment of time and money. Contact Person: Tony Audrieth Email: tonyaudreith@att.net Local Website: mckinley.toastmastersclub.org Location: Champaign Public Library National Website: toastmasters.org Phone: (217) 898-5448 Schedule: Meets at 6:30 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month.
Toast of Champaign Toastmasters (1989 A,P/L) This group provides a mutually supportive and positive learning environment for developing communication and leadership skills. It fosters self-confidence and personal growth. Must be 18 years old to join. The Toastmaster International dues are $60 every six months (April and October), plus a one-time new member fee of $20, and club dues are $3. Guests are welcome and may attend free of charge. Contact Person: Jeffrey Lehman Email: jlentp@aol.com Location: Meets in person and virtually (via zoom), cornerstone fellowship church, 1101 E. Colorado Avenue Urbana. National Website: toastmasters.org Phone: (217) 722-6988 Schedule: Meets on Thursdays 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Veterans/military
Disabled American Veterans - Champaign County Chapter 8 (1952 A,L) This group provides fellowship and assistance to disabled veterans. The membership fee is $40 per year. A newsletter is available. Contact Person: Marty Poling Email: andrea@andreapoling.com
Vermilion
Telephone Support Group for Caregivers of Veterans with Dementia (2016 A,P) The VA Illiana Health Care System provides a telephone support group free of charge to anyone who provides care in the home to a Veteran with dementia, or a Veteran who provides care in the home for a family member with dementia. The Veteran must be enrolled in VA, must have a VA primary care physician and a diagnosis of dementia (any type), made by a VA provider. To participate, you must be the person who provides hands-on care to the Veteran. Caregivers will participate in a one hour, once-a-week group telephone call, for six consecutive weeks. The call is toll-free. The group will focus on skill-building in the areas of problem solving and mood management and will provide an opportunity to share with and learn from other group members. Phone: 1-855-260-3274
Women’s Issues
Champaign
Champaign Urbana Illinois Federation of Business Women’s Club (1921 A,L) This support and networking group is for women in the Champaign-Urbana area. It is affiliated with a state and international network of women. Membership fees are $60 for state and local dues. The group also raises funds to support community activities and a scholarship fund. The target for scholarships is women returning to school. Call for dinner reservations and additional information. Contact: Carla Tucker Email: carla.tucker52@gmail.com Location: Dinner meeting at Hawthorne Suites, 101 Trade Center Dr., Champaign. Phone: (217) 384-2352 (work) Schedule: Meets 1st Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
SisterNet (1996, F, P) A local Black women’s health network committed to the physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual health of Black women and families within Champaign County. Meeting times and locations vary. Contact: Imani Bazzell Email: sisternet@gmail.com Phone: (217) 649-6736
Women for Sobriety (W.F.S.) (1998 A,L) This group provides meetings and phone support to help women recover from problems with alcoholism and/or chemical addictions. This is an alternative recovery program to AA. Contact: Sue Email(s): zeecha@yahoo.com, contact@womenforsobriety.org Location: Zoom reach out to sue for the meeting ID and password National Website: womenforsobriety.org Phone: (217) 419-8395 or W.F.S. national office (215) 536-8026 Schedule: Meets Mon., 7:00-8:00 p.m. virtually
Women of Pride (2008 F,L) This group provides a weekly discussion group and opportunities to participate in a wide range of community activities to foster a sense of community among women of all sexual orientations. Contact: Sarah Mowitz Email: mowitz2@illinois.edu Location: 616 E. Green St Ste. 212, Urbana, IL 61820 Local Website: go.illinois.edu/lgbt Phone: (217) 244-8863 Schedule: Meets Fri., 6:30 p.m.
*Write: Sarah Mowitz, 616 E. Green St. Ste. 212, Urbana, IL 61820
A: Affiliated with a state, national or international group
F: Freestanding group
L: Lay run/organized group
P/L: Professional and lay persons share facilitation/organizational roles in group
P: Professional facilitates and/or organizes group meetings