CNNC Live! Neighborhood Engagement Events for July
On alternating Thursdays throughout the summer, the Neighborhood Services Department hosts CNNC Live! events. During the month of July, we focused our engagement efforts on two key neighborhoods in north Champaign. The Carver Park CNNC Live! event was held on July 11. City departments including CMO, Public Works, Planning, Police, Fire, and Equity and Engagement […]
EDDIT Site Visit and Symposium
On June 5 and 6, 2024, staff from Equity and Engagement, Public Works, and Neighborhood Services Departments participated in the Equitable Development Data Insight Training (EDDIT) site visit. EDDIT, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, offers specialized data analysis and storytelling training for nonprofit, community, and government organizations dedicated to promoting urban equity in […]
Annual Juneteenth Celebration
On June 15, 2024 the Champaign Park District hosted their Annual Juneteenth Celebration at Douglass Park. Juneteenth commemorates 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 […]
MLK Subdivision and Devonshire HOA Neighborhood Groups Hold Cleanup Events
Neighborhood volunteers from the MLK and Devonshire HOA groups hosted neighborhood cleanup events on Saturday, June 8. The neighborhood cleanup events were organized to provide an opportunity for residents to discard bulky household items, unwanted furniture, and mattresses. Funding to support the neighborhood cleanup effort was provided by the neighborhood small grant program administered by […]
CNNC Live! Engagement Campaign Underway
On Thursday, June 6, 2024, the Neighborhood Services Department hosted the first in a series of eight CNNC Live! events at the Providence at Thornberry apartment community, as part of their Champaign NEIGHBORhood NetWORKS Campaign. These events are targeted in neighborhoods throughout the city impacted by violence, or other challenges to neighborhood stability. The events […]
The Beat Kicked Off In a Big Way!
May 31 was the official kick off for The Beat Downtown Champaign! The Beat is a new campaign to bring more music, entertainment, and culture to Downtown. The Beat aims to attract residents and visitors from diverse backgrounds, provide a safe and inclusive space to enjoy entertainment, to showcase Downtown’s unique shops and businesses, and […]
Champaign Neighborhood Networking Conference Gives Chance to Learn, Connect
On May 17, the Neighborhood Services Department, supported by the Equity and Engagement Department, hosted the Champaign Neighborhood Networking Conference (CNNC). This conference was designed to bring neighborhood stakeholders, community members, and professional experts together to discuss a wide variety of topics. Presentations included information on how to apply for grant funding and develop programming […]
Neighborhood Services Staff Attend Inaugural NCDA Region V Conference
On April 24th, 2024 Community Development Specialists Shelby Mammano and Betsy Barclay attended the inaugural National Community Development Association (NCDA) Region V Conference in Columbus, Ohio. This conference marked a significant milestone as entitlement cities from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin gathered for the first time. Midwest Community Development Professionals came together to […]
New Episode of Champaign Spotlight features Rob Kowalski
Dive into the latest episode of Champaign Spotlight, where we sit down with Neighborhood Services Director Rob Kowalski. Communications Manager Jeff Hamilton first talks with Rob about his background and what kept him in Champaign after attending the University of Illinois. Then we dig in to learn more about the pivotal role the Neighborhood Services Department (NSD) […]
Only 5 Days left to Register for the Champaign Neighborhood Network Conference
The City of Champaign will host the 2024 Champaign Neighborhood Network Conference (CNNC) on Friday, May 17, 2024, at the I Hotel and Conference Center. The conference is designed to support Champaign’s neighborhood-based community engagement and organizing efforts by providing resources, tools, and information to increase the capacity of neighborhood residents, volunteers, and grassroots organizers […]