Stories of Impact

For thousands of residents in Rantoul and communities across Northern Champaign County, the Community Services Center of Northern Champaign County (CSCNCC) is a lifeline for people needing support. Serving as a central hub for social services, CSCNCC offers a myriad of resources, information, and referrals, while also hosting more than 15 local agencies under one roof. This collaborative approach makes it more convenient for individuals and families to access the critical support they need.

The Center provides extensive supports for children, families, seniors, and everyone in between. Each week, high schoolers walk to the Center’s free food pantry, which is often the one consistent place they can access meals. Over the years, the dedicated staff has thoughtfully adapted the teen food pantry to meet the needs and interests of their busy, on-the-go lifestyles, even stocking assorted cake mixes and baking ingredients in response to teens’ love of baking.

That same care and consideration extend to the Center’s broader food pantry, where culturally relevant staple foods are available to its diverse clientele. These intentional efforts reflect the Center’s commitment to ensuring that everyone who walks through its doors feels welcomed, supported, and respected.

Beyond food access, the Center provides utility assistance, prescription and transportation assistance, employment resources, translation services, clothing referrals, and vouchers through the Kids’ Foundation that cover uniforms and sports fees for income-eligible children. They work closely with seniors - who comprise close to a third of the Center’s clients - helping them with benefits filing, transportation to doctor’s visits, and affordable housing resources.

Amanda, a client of CSCNCC, shares, “They helped connect me to services like LIHEAP – helping keep our house warm when I was trying to decide between paying rent or paying utilities. And it wasn’t just about surviving the hard moments. Programs like the Kid’s Foundation made it possible for my kids to play sports, to be involved, to feel normal – to have the kind of childhood experiences they otherwise wouldn’t have had.”

With financial support from United Way of Champaign County, the Community Services Center helps ease the burdens on their clients. “We couldn’t do this without United Way. The money we get from United Way helps with everything we do here,” says Cindy Crawford, Executive Director at CSCNCC. By providing operational funding for organizations like CSCNCC, United Way of Champaign County can ensure that Champaign County neighbors have the resources they need to thrive.
 

A safe place to stay can change everything for a family in crisis.

More than 10 years ago, United Way of Champaign County created the Emergency Shelter for Families (ESF) to ensure families experiencing homelessness could stay together while working toward permanent housing. Before ESF, many parents and children were forced to separate to access shelter. Often times, families were fleeing domestic violence, living out of their car, or living on the street.

Today, ESF provides apartment-style shelter and personalized case management through partnerships with the Housing Authority of Champaign County and the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission. The program offers more than a place to sleep—it provides the stability families need to move forward.

The impact is lasting. More than 95% of households that have planfully exited ESF have found safe, stable housing. Since 2016, the program has provided 73,693 nights of shelter to 1,039 people, nearly two-thirds of them children.

Every night of shelter is made possible because of donors who support United Way of Champaign County. Your generosity helps families in crisis find a stable home.

For more than a decade, United Way of Champaign County has proudly funded the Summer Construction Program, helping local teens discover new career possibilities through a partnership with Education for Employment #330, Parkland College, and local union trades.

Teenage years are a critical time to explore interests, receive mentorship and develop skills that shape future careers. This summer, 18 high school students completed the program, earning college credit and a $400 stipend while gaining hands-on experience in roofing, framing, siding, window installation, plumbing, and more. United Way also helped remove financial barriers by providing work boots and jobsite attire for students who needed them, ensuring that every teen had the opportunity to succeed in the program.

Because of your support, young people gain real-world experience, discover their potential, and take the first step toward a brighter future.