tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4234222604858686362024-03-05T19:56:19.363-08:00University YMCASince 1873 the University YMCA has sponsored programs, organizations and activities dedicated to fostering ethical and principled leadership. Leadership that is dedicated to building a better world, better human relations and better care for the Earth.Kasey, Program Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09310708239503652503noreply@blogger.comBlogger183125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-423422260485868636.post-4177553027742544952017-06-13T13:03:00.003-07:002017-06-13T13:04:21.625-07:00FOR STRONG, GLOBALLY CONNECTED COMMUNITIES<h2>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>FOR STRONG, GLOBALLY CONNECTED COMMUNITIES</b></span></h2>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sierra Leone YMCA Partnership develops clean water</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">project and proposes a cause-driven, business leadership development model</span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As we jump into summer and get ready for fall, we are excited about the progress we’ve made on our partnership with the Sierra Leone YMCA in the past year. The University YMCA delegation of student and Y alumni leaders recently traveled to Kemena, Sierra Leone for a partnership "working session" on The Furniture Project and to dig a well for clean water with the Sierra Leone YMCA.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Employment & Entrepreneurship </b><br />The Furniture Project will work with instructors and participants in the established Sierra Leone YMCA job training program to create employment opportunities through the creation of a YMCA-operated furniture business. The plan calls for a job training program that will make basic, rugged tables, chairs, desks, benches, and shelves to sell to local schools, churches and other non-profits. Local African wood and imported new and used hand tools will be used to build this furniture.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Clean Water: Kenema Well Project</b><br />One of the most pressing needs in Sierra Leone is access to clean drinking water. On their visit to Sierra Leone in May, our delegation visited a YMCA-operated school in Kenema, the country’s 3rd largest city. The Sierra Leone YMCA has achieved a critical goal for the Sierra Leone YMCA is to dig a well in close proximity to provide clean water for students and staff. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />Although the Sierra Leone YMCA has done preliminary work, a major hurdle was the need to raise $7,000 for the project. When Christian Kamara, CEO of the Sierra Leone YMCA, visited campus last summer, University Y Board member Sam Smith helped set up a meeting with the Urbana Rotary to discuss providing a large portion of the funding needed for the project. After reviewing the proposal, the Urbana Rotary’s International Committee voted to support the project; we are happy to report that the well has been dug thanks to that support. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For more information about the Sierra Leone YMCA partnership, visit: <a href="http://universityymca.org/global/slymca">universityymca.org/global/slymca</a></span></div>
Kasey, Program Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09310708239503652503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-423422260485868636.post-85042221893469003492017-06-12T13:17:00.002-07:002017-06-12T13:47:53.104-07:00Press Release/PSA: Community Resource Center Launched the Y<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">June 12, 2017</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Three Spinners share about their first week at the </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">YMCA New American Welcome Center and call for volunteers and donations</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[Champaign County, Illinois] </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Last week, the University YMCA welcomed the Three Spinners as they launched the Community Resource Center as part of the YMCA New American Welcome Center. The Three Spinners are currently seeking donations and volunteer support as the Community Resource Center becomes established. </span><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
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<img alt="IMG_3792.JPG" height="288" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/PlR7tIqwl-J1bP-cf5ksOdIqTJ1eT8cXb_NfAGBALL6JGb1BnPevoGvTOxt2EGHYCYnwbRv3UlO-dPT_MoG1bDvZ8c-gqHzr2omZcr6EGCAMpdVx4h8fb6wow76sfEdAzzBUEHu7" style="border: none; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="385" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Community Resource Center provides clothes, furniture, and household items free of charge to refugees and immigrants struggling in the community. It also offers one-on-one and small group language conversation hours, computer and software training, interview coaching, and résumé preparation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Three Spinners are currently seeking volunteers to provide consistent service during the summer of 2017 on either Mondays, Thursdays, or Fridays from 11am-2pm. If you’d like to donate any furniture, clothes or household items, drop-off sites for donations include the 2nd floor of the School of Social work during the hours of 8:30am-5pm and from 11am-2pm at the Community Resource Center, which is located downstairs of the University YMCA. For more information or to sign up to volunteer, please visit: </span><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.threespinners.org/community-resource-center/" style="text-decoration-line: none;">threespinners.org/community-resource-center</a></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Since last week’s launching, the Community Resource Center has received several large donations, received volunteer interest, and provided services to three new clients, including one client who called back wanting to volunteer in his free time. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Champaign is so rich in resources and generosity, we wanted to have a neutral, open space for refugees and newcomers to be able to more easily navigate resources and find needed household items to thrive in our area” </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">said Alexandra van Doren, Director of the Three Spinners. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“When we learned that the Y selected our community to be a New American Welcome Center, we were excited to join the work because it aligns closely with our mission.” </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In support of our shared cause to strengthen communities, all direct service, referral, and community bridge-building efforts under the YMCA New American Welcome Center are designed to connect new immigrants and the receiving communities and foster an environment that encourages newcomer integration and community cohesion. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“The launching of the Community Resource Center at the Y illustrates another instance of the Champaign-Urbana community stepping up to address local needs and connect with each other in service of others,”</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> said Gloria Yen, New American Program Coordinator for the University YMCA. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Since its opening, the Community Resource Center at the Y has received a lot of positive responses. It really shows that our community values convening and supporting community partners to better serve all in Champaign County</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.” </span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For more information about the YMCA New American Welcome Center, visit: </span><a href="http://www.universityymca.org/welcome/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">universityymca.org/welcome</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span id="docs-internal-guid-21a1dfbe-9df2-5967-24f9-176b8f94e0d5"></span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-423422260485868636.post-54228620753536358642017-05-22T11:52:00.001-07:002017-05-23T11:27:42.656-07:00 Welcoming Gloria and Tyler to the YMCA staff!The University YMCA is pleased to announce two new additions to their staff: Tyler Rotche and Gloria Yen. For contact information and to view the YMCA staff page, visit: <a href="http://universityymca.org/staff">universityymca.org/staff</a><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tNrmidVCZic/WSNkKFel6cI/AAAAAAAACGo/pryRI0GVo-IO1UPuwNzW228dZxj2WNvxwCLcB/s1600/tyler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tNrmidVCZic/WSNkKFel6cI/AAAAAAAACGo/pryRI0GVo-IO1UPuwNzW228dZxj2WNvxwCLcB/s1600/tyler.jpg" /></a><b></b><br />
<b>T</b><b>yler Rotche </b>is the Student Engagement Program Coordinator, providing consultation and assistance for student groups housed at the YMCA. He most recently worked as Water Policy Specialist at Prairie Rivers Network, focused on coal pollution issues. Tyler received his B.S. in Environmental Studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HfL-KFUnmcg/WSRnwo5XvGI/AAAAAAAACHE/f-b06GvafGQ_DnSELi-PRqznZFF78Eh5QCLcB/s1600/IMG_3602%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HfL-KFUnmcg/WSRnwo5XvGI/AAAAAAAACHE/f-b06GvafGQ_DnSELi-PRqznZFF78Eh5QCLcB/s200/IMG_3602%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<b>Gloria Yen </b>is the New American Program Coordinator, working with local leadership from newcomer and receiving communities to curate local resources and coordinating referrals for immigrant and newcomer integration. Gloria received her undergraduate degree in Music History from the University of Illinois before earning a Masters of Social Sciences at the University of Chicago. Gloria’s commitment to social justice and immigrant services is largely influenced by her experiences as a second generation Taiwanese American.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-423422260485868636.post-6678610796635894412017-05-18T13:41:00.004-07:002017-05-18T13:48:36.174-07:00Three Spinners joins our New American Welcome Center on campus!<br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><b>Three Spinners joins our New American Welcome Center on campus!</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Opening in early June, the </span><span class="il" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Three</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span><span class="il" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Spinners</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Community Resource Center will provide refugees, immigrants, and newcomers to the community with support and advocacy services when they are faced with the difficult task of starting their lives over in a new country and culture. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">As part of the <a href="http://www.universityymca.org/welcome/" target="_blank">YMCA’s New American Welcome Centers</a> effort to build a more inclusive and welcoming communities, we welcome all people without regard to nationality, religion, or legal status. Some of the services that will be offered include material aid, language practice, job preparation, and acculturation. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">To learn more or volunteer, visit </span><br />
<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://threespinners.org/community-resource-center&source=gmail&ust=1495226174997000&usg=AFQjCNFKUiLchqPG-oUboEuefm1oQJ7CKA" href="http://threespinners.org/community-resource-center" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">threespinners.org/community-<wbr></wbr>resource-center</a><br />
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-423422260485868636.post-37649643668661317252017-05-09T09:25:00.000-07:002017-05-09T09:49:19.582-07:00Ready to be the change? Learn more at the AmeriCorps VISTA virtual info session.<div align="left" class="m_5304847415823172536m_-4236938152967221091gd_p" style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;">
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<b>Are you ready for the next step in your career? </b></div>
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<b>Are you passionate about making a difference and working alongside communities to fight poverty? </b></div>
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<b>Want to learn valuable non-profit management and sustainable community development skills? </b></div>
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Consider joining <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://americorps.gov/vista&source=gmail&ust=1494433347399000&usg=AFQjCNG-SdssUhjvVjkidHfzdFs8DbpBzQ" href="http://americorps.gov/vista" style="color: #0331a5;" target="_blank">AmeriCorps VISTA</a>! To learn more about the program, and hear from some currently serving members, tune in to our <b>Virtual Information Session on <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1425522053" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Wednesday, May 24, 2017 3pm ET</span></span> (<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1425522054" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">12pm PT</span></span>).</b></div>
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We have year-long and short summer service opportunities available and are looking to hire now! From Alaska to Puerto Rico and everywhere in between, AmeriCorps VISTA members work alongside community leaders to find sustainable solutions to poverty including: developing job opportunities, increasing access to education and housing, promote healthy living, and much more. During this session, learn about the<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://americorps.gov/vista&source=gmail&ust=1494433347399000&usg=AFQjCNG-SdssUhjvVjkidHfzdFs8DbpBzQ" href="http://americorps.gov/vista" style="color: #0331a5;" target="_blank"> AmeriCorps VISTA</a> program, hear from currently serving members, and have all your questions answered!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyuV109oVcNKiBO7mi_bR57iUp_xMDlHFDgVwJP9xJYPFab0vQSVuhvYymCMgY9WrLsXs4VWgvmLITvTzl1eajndfsIOVJipffp4M3UFmoujMbq-byWUiH0gfI5bINS86EDA56AXx7tao/s1600/33666275606_bd579a6890_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyuV109oVcNKiBO7mi_bR57iUp_xMDlHFDgVwJP9xJYPFab0vQSVuhvYymCMgY9WrLsXs4VWgvmLITvTzl1eajndfsIOVJipffp4M3UFmoujMbq-byWUiH0gfI5bINS86EDA56AXx7tao/s320/33666275606_bd579a6890_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>WE'RE HIRING NOW!</b></div>
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Learn more about the University YMCA's AmeriCorps VISTA postings</div>
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The University YMCA seeks two full-time VISTA Members who will build infrastructure of our immigrant and student programs, develop partnerships within our community, and investigate and develop new possible resources to support these programs. VISTAs will develop leadership skills in fundraising, program development, volunteer coordination, nonprofit management and more.</div>
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One VISTA will focus on our New American Welcome Center work and help build capacity for our immigrant outreach services. The other VISTA will focus on our YMCA student programs. Applicants are welcome to apply to one or both.</div>
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VISTAs serve for one full year and have access to fantastic benefits through the AmeriCorps program (<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.vistacampus.gov/sites/default/files/uploads/2017/03/Benefits-of-AmeriCorps-VISTA.pdf&source=gmail&ust=1493831671440000&usg=AFQjCNHZZQlCKjvfQfXnCHEZGziCgZEXHw" href="https://www.vistacampus.gov/sites/default/files/uploads/2017/03/Benefits-of-AmeriCorps-VISTA.pdf" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">click here for more information</a>), including a living allowance (approximately $1000 a month in Champaign County), relocation allowance if you move 50+ miles, an end-of-service award of either $5,815 for education expenses or a cash stipend of $1,500, healthcare benefits, professional development trainings and more. </div>
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The YMCA hopes to start VISTAs in June or July, but actual start date depends on the training schedule of the Americorps program. <b>For best chance at consideration, please apply by <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1443944688" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Friday, May 19 at 11:59pm</span></span>. </b></div>
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The Immigrant Outreach Capacity VISTA posting can be found here: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id%3D73353%26fromSearch%3Dtrue&source=gmail&ust=1493831671440000&usg=AFQjCNHwTc60TnRz29VLEARy8ukSf6FU9A" href="https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=73353&fromSearch=true" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">https://my.americorps.go<wbr></wbr>v/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id<wbr></wbr>=73353&fromSearch=true </a></div>
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The Youth-at-Risk Capacity VISTA posting can be found here: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id%3D73355%26fromSearch%3Dtrue&source=gmail&ust=1493831671440000&usg=AFQjCNFZDkYdejGTSrZCBuNh92I-fU7iQQ" href="https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=73355&fromSearch=true" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">https://my.americorps.go<wbr></wbr>v/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id<wbr></wbr>=73355&fromSearch=true </a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Apply now at <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://my.americorps.gov/&source=gmail&ust=1493831671440000&usg=AFQjCNEqozPaO8ghBSBKB990BP9Kgg-iWg" href="http://my.americorps.gov/" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">my.americorps.gov</a>. </span></b></div>
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For questions, e-mail Emily Cross at <a href="mailto:emily@universityymca.org" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">emily@universityymca.org</a> or Megan Flowers at <a href="mailto:megan@universityymca.org" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">megan@universityymca.org</a>. </div>
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Kasey, Program Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09310708239503652503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-423422260485868636.post-7575980486624986892017-05-04T08:36:00.002-07:002017-05-04T08:36:34.057-07:00Make one of the biggest recycling events in CU happen. Join us for Dump & Run!<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<b>PSA/<span class="il">Press</span> <span class="il">Release</span></b></div>
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<i>For Immediate <span class="il">Release</span></i></div>
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May 3, 2017</div>
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<b>For media inquires, contact: </b></div>
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Megan Flowers, University YMCA Communications Director</div>
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<a href="tel:(217)%20337-1500" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" value="+12173371500">[217-337-1500</a>; <a href="mailto:megan@universityymca.org" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">megan@universit<wbr></wbr>yymca.org</a>] </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: medium;">WE NEED YOU (AND YOUR STUFF) FOR ONE GREAT CAUSE</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Dump & Run, A Community Recycling Event</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">YMCA of the University of Illinois</span></div>
<br /><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Be a part of reducing litter and consumer waste, saving space in landfills, & providing inexpensive items for folks to purchase in the fall. The University YMCA is seeking volunteers to help with collecting, sorting, and packing donations during May collection days for their annual Dump & Run recycling sale in August. </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">The Y's Dump & Run program has been a completely volunteer-run program since its inception 15 years ago as a small garage sale at the University YMCA. Each year, the Y relies on volunteers in the community and on campus to make one of the biggest recycling events in Champaign-Urbana happen. </span></div>
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<b style="font-size: 12.8px;">To sign up to volunteer, please visit:</b><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://universityymca.org/dump_and_run/volunteer/&source=gmail&ust=1493998502654000&usg=AFQjCNGJ0JMH62U_QedijQuveVU7kGPfKg" href="http://universityymca.org/dump_and_run/volunteer/" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">universityymca.org/dump<wbr></wbr>_and_run/volunteer/</a><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">When you volunteer, you get first dibs on the things collected (after only 6 hours of volunteering) - and we get an unbelievable amount of great things donated! Dump & Run volunteer opportunities during May Collection Days start May 8 and run trough May 24, 2017. The Y especially relies on the help of volunteers during peak collections activities on the dates of Friday, May 12 and Saturday, May 13. Volunteer drivers are also greatly needed! If you are interested in driving to pick up and drop-off donations, please indicate that you are willing to drive in the "comment" section of the volunteer sign-up form. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">The University YMCA also asks community and campus members to donate any gently used, accepted items at the University YMCA (corner of Wright & Chalmers) during May 2017 collection days of the Y's </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Dump</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> & </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Run recycling program</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">. The Y is also hosting free pick up days for unwanted furniture and bikes in the community from May 10 & 11 from 9am to 4pm only. </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Please visit our website at </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://universityymca.org/dump_and_run&source=gmail&ust=1493998502654000&usg=AFQjCNGZgbcKsohEk-LjV7lEIs7S6G05tQ" href="http://universityymca.org/dump_and_run" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">universityymca.org/dump_and<wbr></wbr>_run</a><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> to schedule an appointment for us to come pick up your donated furniture or bikes for free. Please note that do NOT take sofa beds or TVs.</span></div>
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For more information about the University YMCA's Dump & Run program, please visit: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://universityymca.org/dump_and_run/&source=gmail&ust=1493998502654000&usg=AFQjCNE_2HrhcYVee7Gu8SZ7o9nMcmf8Mw" href="http://universityymca.org/dump_and_run/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">universityymca.org/dump<wbr></wbr>_and_run/</a></div>
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<b><br />May 2017 Collection Days</b></div>
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<br class="m_-3825929385053097235gmail-m_7904943277255051820gmail-Apple-interchange-newline" />Donation Drop-Off Location: University YMCA, 1001 S. Wright St, Champaign, IL 61820 (Corner of Wright and Chalmers on the U of I campus)</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Collection Dates & Times:</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Monday-Friday, May 8-12 from 9am to 4:00pm</span><br />
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<i>Saturday, May 13 from 9:00am-12:00pm </i><br />& May 15-19 from 9:00am to 4:00pm<br /><br />OPEN LATE until 7:00pm on Thursday, May 11!<br /><br />Free pick-up days for donated furniture and bikes<br />Tuesday, May 9 & Wednesday, May 10<br />9:00am-4:00pm<div>
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By appointment only. Please schedule an appointment for us to come pick up your unwanted furniture or bikes for free at <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://univeristyymca.org/dump_and_run/&source=gmail&ust=1493998502654000&usg=AFQjCNGYAu3mGRePYFY4KgsNMTgtqaIgWg" href="http://univeristyymca.org/dump_and_run/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">univeristyymca.org/dump_and<wbr></wbr>_run/</a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We collect</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> furniture, dishes, glassware, pots & pans, small household appliances, computers, electronics, bicycles, office & school supplies, nearly-new clothing, books, toiletries, lawn & garden, artwork, vinyl & cds, musical instruments, sporting equipment & other household goods.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><b>We do not collect </b>televisions, paint, child/infant car seats, stoves, washers, dryers, non-working electronics & computer parts, sleeper sofas, mattresses, televisions, or large exercise equipment.</span><br /><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">The University YMCA reserves the right to refuse any donation offered, based on but not limited to, its size, weight, and condition.</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><b>Questions? </b>Contact the University YMCA at <a href="tel:217-337-1500" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" value="+12173371500">217-337-1500</a> or email us at <a href="mailto:dumpandrun@universityymca.org" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">dumpandrun@universityymca.<wbr></wbr>org </a></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.4px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Visuals:</b> During May Collection Days, the University YMCA's Latzer Hall becomes a fine-tuned collections hub; volunteers collecting, sorting, and packing items donated from campus and community members alike. </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.4px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Photo Opportunities: </b><u>Friday, May 12 from 9pm to 4pm and Saturday, May 13, from 9am to 12pm</u> will be peak collection activity times, in which we are loading and unloading donations from dormitories and sorority and fraternity houses, sorting and packing donations at the University YMCA in preparation for the Sale in August.</span></span></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-423422260485868636.post-22062858293938647512017-05-02T11:13:00.000-07:002017-05-30T12:04:54.274-07:00Seeking Two Full-Time VISTA Members at the Y<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
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The University YMCA seeks two full-time VISTA Members who will build infrastructure of our immigrant and student programs, develop partnerships within our community, and investigate and develop new possible resources to support these programs. VISTAs will develop leadership skills in fundraising, program development, volunteer coordination, nonprofit management and more.</div>
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One VISTA will focus on our New American Welcome Center work and help build capacity for our immigrant outreach services. The other VISTA will focus on our YMCA student programs. Applicants are welcome to apply to one or both.</div>
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VISTAs serve for one full year and have access to fantastic benefits through the Americorps program (<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.vistacampus.gov/sites/default/files/uploads/2017/03/Benefits-of-AmeriCorps-VISTA.pdf&source=gmail&ust=1493831671440000&usg=AFQjCNHZZQlCKjvfQfXnCHEZGziCgZEXHw" href="https://www.vistacampus.gov/sites/default/files/uploads/2017/03/Benefits-of-AmeriCorps-VISTA.pdf" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">click here for more information</a>), including a living allowance (approximately $1000 a month in Champaign County), relocation allowance if you move 50+ miles, an end-of-service award of either $5,815 for education expenses or a cash stipend of $1,500, healthcare benefits, professional development trainings and more. </div>
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The YMCA hopes to start VISTAs as soon as possible this summer, but actual start date depends on the training schedule of the AmeriCorps program. <b>DEADLINE EXTENDED. For full consideration, please apply by June 2, 2017. </b></div>
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The Immigrant Outreach Capacity VISTA posting can be found here: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id%3D73353%26fromSearch%3Dtrue&source=gmail&ust=1493831671440000&usg=AFQjCNHwTc60TnRz29VLEARy8ukSf6FU9A" href="https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=73353&fromSearch=true" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://my.americorps.go<wbr></wbr>v/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id<wbr></wbr>=73353&fromSearch=true </a></div>
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The Youth-at-Risk Capacity VISTA posting can be found here: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id%3D73355%26fromSearch%3Dtrue&source=gmail&ust=1493831671440000&usg=AFQjCNFZDkYdejGTSrZCBuNh92I-fU7iQQ" href="https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=73355&fromSearch=true" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://my.americorps.go<wbr></wbr>v/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id<wbr></wbr>=73355&fromSearch=true </a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: medium;">Apply now at <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://my.americorps.gov/&source=gmail&ust=1493831671440000&usg=AFQjCNEqozPaO8ghBSBKB990BP9Kgg-iWg" href="http://my.americorps.gov/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">my.americorps.gov</a>. </span></b></div>
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For questions, e-mail Emily Cross at <a href="mailto:emily@universityymca.org" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">emily@universityymca.org</a> or Megan Flowers at <a href="mailto:megan@universityymca.org" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">megan@universityymca.org</a>. </div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-423422260485868636.post-50704627466590745392017-05-01T13:36:00.002-07:002017-05-04T08:34:25.705-07:00Immigration Project and University YMCA host Citizenship Application Workshop in Champaign County<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<b>PSA/Press Release</b></div>
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<i>For Immediate Release</i></div>
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May 1, 2017</div>
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<b>For media inquiries, contact:</b></div>
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Megan Flowers, University YMCA Communications Director</div>
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<a href="tel:(217)%20337-1500" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" value="+12173371500">[217-337-1500</a>; <a href="mailto:megan@universityymca.org" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">megan@universityymca.org</a>]</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: medium;">Immigration Project and University YMCA host</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: medium;">Citizenship Application Workshop in Champaign County</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IkWFpED9Bzs/WQecFCPFuiI/AAAAAAAACDo/mdiS5o_JKFERaQADpVylntXX7z-yfwF1ACLcB/s1600/2016_06_19_NI_GYM_GROUP_0245_brc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IkWFpED9Bzs/WQecFCPFuiI/AAAAAAAACDo/mdiS5o_JKFERaQADpVylntXX7z-yfwF1ACLcB/s320/2016_06_19_NI_GYM_GROUP_0245_brc.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">May 13, 2017 from 9am-1pm</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">at St. Patrick Catholic Church </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">708 W. Main, Urbana, IL</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Attention eligible permanent residents of Illinois. The University YMCA and the Immigration Project would like to share with you an upcoming opportunity to get help in becoming U.S. </span><span class="m_5187415556166229233gmail-il" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Citizen</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><b>.</b> </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">U.S. citizenship is the path to full participation in our country. As a U.S. citizen, you will be able to vote, travel freely, petition to unite with other family members, have access to a wider range of job opportunities, and have access to all of the rights,</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span><span class="m_5187415556166229233gmail-il" style="font-size: 12.8px;">benefits</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">, and responsibilities of a full member of the United States of America. </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Under the New Americans Initiative, the University YMCA is collaborating with the Immigration Project to host a<b> Citizenship (N400) workshop in Champaign County on Saturday, May 13th, 2017 from 9am-1pm at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Urbana, IL.</b> </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">The New Americans Initiative is a not-for-profit partnership with The State of Illinois and the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, which helps permanent residents in Illinois through the process of becoming a U.S. </span><span class="m_5187415556166229233gmail-il" style="font-size: 12.8px;">citizen. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">At the May 13th workshop, permanent residents (green card holders) will start an initial screening to verify if they are prepared enough to continue through the workshop, followed by the legal screening conducted by qualified immigration attorneys of the Immigration Project and DOJ accredited representatives, and then through other help stations such as the fee waiver eligibility station all the way to the final checklist station to complete the application packet. For prepared applicants who pass through each station, the average time to complete the workshop is 2.5 hours. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><b>We want to make sure permanent residents living in Illinois have all their documents together for them to bring to the workshop on May 13th so that they can leave the workshop with the application completed and ready to mail. </b></span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Our goal is to help 30 permanent residents (green card holders) who are ready to apply for U.S. citizenship make it all the way through the workshop with an N400 application ready to mail. Permanent residents across the State of Illinois will be traveling to attend this workshop. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Multilingual assistance in Spanish and French will be available at the workshop. Other language assistance may be available upon advance request. </i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">If permanent residents show up without the documents they need (list of documents are on page 2 of the attached flyers in English, Spanish, and French) they will receive more information about the naturalization process and will be asked to come back to another workshop at a later date with the documents. </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">The University YMCA is also helping permanent residents prepare for the workshop and to get more information about the process of applying for U.S. citizenship by scheduling one-on-one appointments at any time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Even if you do not plan to apply at the workshop but want more information about the process of naturalization, do not hesitate to call the New Americans Welcome Center team at the University YMCA. </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Contact Megan at <a href="mailto:megan@universityymca.org" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">megan@universityymca.org</a> or by calling <a href="tel:(217)%20337-1500" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" value="+12173371500">217-337-1500</a>. For assistance in Spanish and French, contact the Y's La Linea Community Helpline at <a href="tel:(217)%20417-5897" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" value="+12174175897">217-417-5897</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Assistance with document preparation and informational appointments through the University YMCA are always free, confidential and open to the public. The service fee for the Immigration Project to process your N400 (naturalization) application at the May 13th workshop is $50 (check or money order). See the attached flyers for more information about what you need to bring to the workshop. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">View the Flyers in <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzNZGcWYUaaCYnA3OEllZFhSWWJrbU5rX05aaTJaOU5lS1ZZ/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">English</a>, <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzNZGcWYUaaCV0VaUUUyY3hWaGJNbFVaUFVLeV9wdU1KTks4/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Spanish</a>, and <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzNZGcWYUaaCc0E4N2dNNzVyLWd3QURCUjZhQV9aTldrcVBZ/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">French </a> for more information including the documents you will need to bring to the workshop. If you also feel that you are not ready to apply but want more information, feel free to come to the workshop to learn more. </span></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-423422260485868636.post-50928798962574962152017-04-10T15:25:00.004-07:002017-04-12T10:34:38.863-07:00Congrats to the 2017-18 recipients of the Bailey Fellowship!<h3>
Congratulations to the 2017-18 recipients of the Bailey Graduate and Professional Fellowship for Community Service, Leadership, and Activism</h3>
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As a Peer Mentor for First Followers, <b>Bethany Britton</b> counsels and advises individuals, facilitates groups, participates in focus groups, collects participatory research project data, and creates video media. Bethany’s passion is to continue to use her personal life experiences to educate and motivate communities, organizations, institutions, and victims through public speaking and programs. Bethany has given testimonies in community churches, on the Justice Reform Community Fines & Fee Panel, and at Treatment centers. Bethany is pursuing a Master’s of Social Work Degree with an emphasis on mental health and substance abuse and is working to establish W.I.N. at C-U (Women in Need at Champaign Urbana) to offer services to homeless women, particularly those who struggle with substance abuse issues.<br />
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As an undergraduate and graduate student, as well as a former employee of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, <b>Saturnino Rodriguez</b> has utilized his knowledge, skills, and experience to aide in the development and implementation of many campus-wide initiatives created to serve first-generation, underrepresented students - current and future. Thus, allowing him to empower students to overcome structural and personal barriers impeding upon their success on campus and beyond. Nino established a collaboration with Don Moyer Boys Girls Club was to conduct a Youth Participatory Action Research project to expose participants to an alternative to the master narrative about them and their social groups and to empower the participants to use the newly acquired knowledge to strengthen their voices and influence to achieve change in their communities. Nino is pursuing a PhD in Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership. <br />
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Learn more about the University YMCA's Fred S. Bailey Scholarship and Fellowship Award program at <a href="http://universityymca.org/bailey.">universityymca.org/bailey.</a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-423422260485868636.post-84753497129936996492017-04-10T15:14:00.000-07:002017-04-10T15:14:00.462-07:00Thanks for making the 16th Annual Dinner & Auction a huge success!<div style="line-height: 17px;">
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<span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;">We had such a wonderful time with all of you who came out to support the Y and to recognize all those involved this past weekend! Thanks to you, we sold out with 215 people in attendance, raised over $40,000 in support of Y programs and received over $10,000 in individual donations during the Live Auction Paddle Raise for the YMCA New American Welcome Center.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;">Many thanks to the Y's Dinner & Auction committee and to everyone who made the 16th Annual Dinner and Auction such a great event! </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TsW8_z8T0gA/WOwDbH0ebkI/AAAAAAAACBQ/zHhUaZ4_OiMxfCMeE9yIZwxG3ktxJi-qwCLcB/s1600/12976800_10204676335186805_6056549633898922464_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TsW8_z8T0gA/WOwDbH0ebkI/AAAAAAAACBQ/zHhUaZ4_OiMxfCMeE9yIZwxG3ktxJi-qwCLcB/s320/12976800_10204676335186805_6056549633898922464_o.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">We'd also like to take this opportunity to especially thank Julia Carter, YMCA Development Intern, for all of her hard work in co-coordinating such a successful event in support of Y programs and in strengthening our fundraising efforts at the Y for the past two years. </span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-423422260485868636.post-36786573413895116792017-04-04T09:12:00.002-07:002017-04-04T12:32:26.791-07:00Congratulations to the recipients of the Y Leadership Awards<span id="docs-internal-guid-eb25978c-39b1-dff8-a953-44dfc8799482"></span><br />
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-eb25978c-39b1-dff8-a953-44dfc8799482"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Congratulations to all of the recipients of the Y's 2017 Cause-Driven Leadership </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Awards. </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">We look forward to recognizing these amazing individuals and all those involved in the Y at the 16th Annual Dinner & Auction. Learn more about the Y's work for foster ethical and principled leadership for meaningful change on our website at: </span><a href="http://universityymca.org/" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">universityymca.org</a><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">. You can also learn more about the Y's scholarships and leadership recognition awards at: </span><a href="http://universityymca.org/awards" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">universityymca.org/awards</a><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-eb25978c-39b1-dff8-a953-44dfc8799482"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Edward Nestingen Alumni Award: </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Julia Kellman</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Associate Professor Emerita Julia Kellman retired from the University of Illinois in 2009 after nearly 20 years of professional teaching at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University of Northern Kentucky, and finally at the School of Art + Design and College of Medicine at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. While at the School of Art + Design, Julia took particular pleasure in developing and teaching graduate seminars that focused on auto-ethnography, feminist anthropology as a research model and creative non-fiction.</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OFfI_Gy4xwM/WOPDJRvP2-I/AAAAAAAAB_U/4EgyG1QovCUq-AT8KAPPJSwt-9YW1RdiQCLcB/s1600/JuliaKellmanPic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OFfI_Gy4xwM/WOPDJRvP2-I/AAAAAAAAB_U/4EgyG1QovCUq-AT8KAPPJSwt-9YW1RdiQCLcB/s320/JuliaKellmanPic.jpg" width="245" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In 2009, Julia edited and published the acclaimed "Reaching and Teaching the Child with Autism through Art," with Beverly Gerber. She has published numerous articles, which serve as resource and inspiration for practitioners in the field of art education as well as many others interested in the role of art for wellness and social change.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In 2013, Julia was chosen by the National Art Education Association’s board of directors to receive the Council for Exceptional Children and Very Special Arts Beverly Levett Gerber Special Needs Lifetime Achievement Award for her career of “outstanding achievement and service” for special needs children.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Julia founded and taught the Expressive Arts program at Carle Hospital and Clinics for people with HIV/AIDS for many years, and currently serves as the chair of the Art @ the Y committee at the University YMCA. Julia is a diligent, thoughtful leader who tirelessly champions the role of art for change, and its exemplification of and contribution to the mission of the University Y.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Julia is largely responsible for bringing the Spring 2017 BED SHOE HOME project to the Y. Julia organized internationally-renowned artist Jane Gilmor’s monthlong visit, where Jane worked one-on-one with homeless members of the CU community to create authentic, heart-felt work culminating in a major installation at the Y. Julia also partnered closely with Professor Tyler Denmead to secure the prestigious Miller Comm award from the campus Center for Advanced Study, bringing both high visibility and significant funding to the project. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Both Julia's life's work and her current significant contribution to the University YMCA exemplify the values and mission of the Y. Julia Kellman is truly an alumna and volunteer who we should be immeasurably proud of and uplift and thank in any way possible.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Distinguished Service Award (non-student): </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ricardo Diaz</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For the past 6 years, Ricardo Diaz has been one of the most active non-student members of the University Y programs. Initially connected through students leaders in La Colectiva, Ricardo served as a mentor to YMCA students as they began exploring ways to engage in the issue of immigration on campus and in our community. </span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J9ZP3ZBZjwI/WOPEqFt79PI/AAAAAAAAB_g/rJiFI2BVOysgNgWwMAm0RqGbLILjQHAdwCLcB/s1600/Ricardo.Award.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J9ZP3ZBZjwI/WOPEqFt79PI/AAAAAAAAB_g/rJiFI2BVOysgNgWwMAm0RqGbLILjQHAdwCLcB/s320/Ricardo.Award.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Soon after his initial involvement at the Y, Ricardo joined the Board of Governors, served as an officer of the Board and eventually became Board President. One of his most important services to this community has been the creation and development of the C-U Immigration Forum, where he currently serves as a Board member. Over the years, Ricardo has been a leader in our community around the issue of immigration, mobilizing the community around ending Secure Communities, pushing for comprehensive immigration reform, and encouraging our community to be more welcoming of immigrants.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Beyond his activities around immigration, Ricardo helped take the lead in supporting efforts at the Y to address issues of diversity and race. As Board President he led a year-long effort to keep the topic of race and how it impacts our interactions and relationships as an ongoing conversation. He willingly volunteers to help with various programs such as Dump & Run and La Linea. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But most importantly, Ricardo has demonstrated how to build a community at the Y that respects everyone’s contributions, lifts up the work of the students and challenges us all to make that extra effort to make our community a better place to live. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Distinguished Service Award (Student):</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Lorenzo Grego</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lorenzo Grego, a Senior in Psychology, first became a part of the Y as a volunteer with BikeFace. A passionate leader in his fraternity, Lorenzo challenged the group to see the Greek system as a potential place for outreach and developed a bike library system at his fraternity. He also actively pushed the organization to expand its events to appeal to a broader group of cyclists or those who might just be interested in cycling. Lorenzo is one of the most consistent volunteers at Sunday shop hours at the Urbana Bike Project and he has planned and initiated events like Bicycle Registration on the Quad and midnight rides. </span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xw74dTpcFcM/WOPE0dmBRPI/AAAAAAAAB_k/QcGLJZe65fgN2iO4fKJPPz6bRa0r-SL6wCLcB/s1600/Lorenzo.Award.pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xw74dTpcFcM/WOPE0dmBRPI/AAAAAAAAB_k/QcGLJZe65fgN2iO4fKJPPz6bRa0r-SL6wCLcB/s320/Lorenzo.Award.pic.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Last academic year, Lorenzo volunteered to serve as the Student Board representative for BikeFace and was one of the most reliable and consistently thoughtful members. That year, his leadership and action on Student Board resulted in his election by his peers as President for the following year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As Student President, Lorenzo has proved to be reliable and resilient, making it a priority to engage the rest of the Board on issues and events our student programs are organizing around. The staff frequently remark on his follow through on everything from writing the donation thank you letter to his detailed presentations on the work of StuBO at board meetings. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lorenzo is a consistently positive voice with a strong vision for collaborative community, and the Student Board’s quick response to the rhetoric leading up to the election of Donald Trump was the result of the groundwork he had laid all semester. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gerry Brighton Young Alumni Award: </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">MJ Altman (nee Molly Stephey)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">M.J. Altman received degrees in News-Editorial Journalism and Sociology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. As an undergraduate student, M.J. (who went by Molly Stephey) was elected to run the SECS newsletter, Environmental Resources. Molly had the idea to turn the newsletter into an environmental magazine. The Green Observer has been a Y student group ever since.</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mwwVQ-_XkLg/WOPFBFgYSmI/AAAAAAAAB_o/fed8MJ2batUno3SEQ7UMkrx9Pz2qGiBQACLcB/s1600/MJ.Altman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mwwVQ-_XkLg/WOPFBFgYSmI/AAAAAAAAB_o/fed8MJ2batUno3SEQ7UMkrx9Pz2qGiBQACLcB/s320/MJ.Altman.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today, M.J. oversees the World Food Programme USA's multimedia projects, reports, op-eds and communications outreach. In addition to writing articles and editing videos, M.J. hosts #HackingHunger, a podcast that explores latest news and innovations on global hunger and food security through interviews with humanitarians, journalists and experts from the field.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Prior to joining WFP USA, M.J. worked as a writer-reporter for TIME magazine in New York, where she covered a wide variety of issues, including social justice, politics and the environment. She has also worked at the Smithsonian Institution, where she researched, wrote and pitched stories about indigenous history, art and culture as a public affairs producer. In addition to TIME and the Smithsonian, her work has been featured on MSNBC, CNN, The Huffington Post, the Associated Press and National Geographic.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Since graduating, Molly has served as an application reader for the Y’s Fred S. Bailey Scholarship program. M.J. has always been passionate about using media to raise consciousness and support action around the environment and social justice. Throughout her career, she has sought out opportunities that have allowed her to apply her skill as a journalist while also building awareness and inspiring action.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">J. Fredrick Miller Award for Distinguished Volunteer Service:</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Ann-Perry Witmer</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ann-Perry Witmer, a faculty member in Engineering, has served as the faculty advisor of the University YMCA’s Engineers Without Borders Chapter (EWB) for several years. In 2002, Ann went back to school two decades after she earned her first two bachelor's degrees to get a degree in civil engineering. In 2013, Ann left her industry position as a consulting engineer to join the University of Illinois staff as an instructor with the IEFX (Illinois Engineering First-Year Experience) program. Ann also established the Honduras Water Project Course, a year-long, multi-disciplinary engineering design course in international service project development and implementation with a community in Honduras. </span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-76omKUeDnm4/WOPFX__yAaI/AAAAAAAAB_0/WgioqlgLYS4ObBt23ZRD0xZc6vFeTPeDwCLcB/s1600/News-Ann-Perry%2BWitmer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-76omKUeDnm4/WOPFX__yAaI/AAAAAAAAB_0/WgioqlgLYS4ObBt23ZRD0xZc6vFeTPeDwCLcB/s200/News-Ann-Perry%2BWitmer.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This past year, Ann spearheaded a course in Quito, Ecuador that studies the effectiveness of the EWB model of development and is working to identify a community-driven project in Quito. Developing and teaching these courses is in of itself impressive, but Ann was also on the List of Instructors Ranked as Excellent in Spring 2016, Fall 2015, Spring 2015, and Fall 2014. Currently, Ann is pursuing a Ph.D, focusing her research on developing a stronger understanding of conditions and characteristics that lead to long-term success and sustainability of engineering projects that serve the developing world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ann has been one of the fiercest faculty ambassadors of the Bailey Scholarship program, recruiting countless qualified applicants for the undergraduate, travel and internship scholarships. As the EWB project advisor, Ann is insightful, patient and proactive. Students admire her and consider her a “constant source of wisdom,” and she regularly gives workshops and other trainings for the program. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ann has also shown exceptional leadership on the YMCA’s Global Engagement Committee, which she chairs. She is a source of careful consideration, engineering expertise, and project management all while working for a meaningful and fair partnership between two culturally and geographically distinct partners, the University YMCA and the YMCA of Sierra Leone. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Harold W. Colvin Award for Undergraduate Leadership:</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Monica Saavedra</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Monica Saavedra wants to be an immigration attorney who advocates for just and humane immigration policy while helping others through direct service. Monica, a third-year student studying Global Studies and Spanish, started volunteering with the Y’s La Línea Community Helpline Program over two years ago through Professor Ann Abbott’s Spanish for Business course. Beyond the Y, Monica serves as the President of Mi Pueblo, a campus group that focuses cultivating conversations in Spanish. Monica is currently studying abroad in Costa Rica this Spring 2017 semester and plans to return to her love of volunteering at the Y during her senior year at the University of Illinois. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At the Y, Monica’s team leadership skills have flourished as she led the La Línea student volunteer team week to week as a YMCA Bailey Internship Scholarship recipient. Under this internship, she sought out other opportunities to learn about capacity-building through fundraising, communications, community outreach, and collaborated in the grant writing process for the program. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Beyond her internship, she continues to work with the La Línea program through providing resource referrals to clients as a phone operator. She has also taken advantage of leadership development opportunities that the Y has provided through key trainings provided by the YMCA of the USA and the Immigration Project on immigration policy and newcomer integration strategies. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Currently, Monica is helping YMCA staff apply for Department of Justice accreditation for the organization, which will allow the YMCA to provide limited but critical legal immigration services. Monica is a truly dedicated leader working for a world that is welcoming to all people, receiving communities and newcomer communities alike. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">John W. Price Award for Volunteer Service to International Understanding:</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Hannah Jarman</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hannah Jarman, a Senior in Global Studies, has demonstrated her passion for international understanding since her first week at the University of Illinois when she joined the YMCA program Invisible Conflicts (IC). Invisible Conflicts, a small organization, supported the education of 12 children in Uganda orphaned by the civil war. The group did not have the membership to continue into the next year, so Hannah spearheaded an effort to integrate its social justice work and fundraising into the Y’s Amnesty International Chapter. </span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BHs48uxBNM4/WOPFo1Hl6PI/AAAAAAAAB_8/XTbT-jf5_2MdIGQwCFWfCempvx7vDJckgCLcB/s1600/HannahJarman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BHs48uxBNM4/WOPFo1Hl6PI/AAAAAAAAB_8/XTbT-jf5_2MdIGQwCFWfCempvx7vDJckgCLcB/s320/HannahJarman.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now President of Amnesty, Hannah is incredibly dedicated to building coalitions, leading Amnesty to work with other campus groups to raise funds for and awareness of immigration issues, Haiti relief, and safe water issues in Detroit and around the world. This year, Amnesty plans to raise $2,000 for the White Helmets, the Syrian civilians providing vital medical care. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Beyond fundraising, Hannah keeps education and grassroots organizing at the heart of the Amnesty mission. She has lent her leadership to Amnesty’s Write for Rights campaign for prisoners of conscience, which has resulted over 560 letters written and collected for their cause. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In addition to her work at the Y, Hannah participated in an individual research project on humanitarian intervention, worked as an Intercultural Horizons intern, established a Chamber of Commerce in Masatepe, Nicaragua as part of the student group Enactus, and spent a semester studying and volunteering in Quito, Ecuador. This semester she has been working with Enactus on the Oasis project, a website that aims to connect immigrants to social services. She also volunteered to visiting the Sierra Leone YMCA this May to help start a self-sustaining business for youth in Sierra Leone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hannah is a unique, thoughtful and inclusive leader who combines modesty with persistence and drive and will undoubtedly become a significant change agent in the global social justice movement. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
</span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-423422260485868636.post-7509397185976903932017-03-27T20:37:00.002-07:002017-03-28T08:02:33.548-07:00Press Release/PSA: New American Welcome Center coming to C-U<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Press Release</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For Immediate Release</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">March 28, 2017 </span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-d4bc9c32-12ab-e1a8-972e-c5632b3aef64" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For media inquiries, contact: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Megan Flowers, University Y Communications Director</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[251-209-2615; </span><a href="mailto:megan@universityymca.org" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">megan@universityymca.org</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">]</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 18pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">New American Welcome Center coming to C-U</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Community Leaders Join University YMCA Initiative</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[Champaign County, Illinois] </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The University YMCA was recently selected to be one of six YMCAs in the United States to develop a New American Welcome Center (NAWC) in 2017. Launched in 2016 by YMCA of the USA, the New American Welcome Centers are designed to help immigrants fully integrate into American society and prepare receiving communities to be welcoming and inclusive. The University YMCA invites the public to a first opportunity to support this work. Celebrate and support the elevation of this community initiative in Champaign County by joining the University YMCA for their 16th Annual Dinner & Auction: WELCOME HOME on April 8, 2017. Please RSVP by March 31st at <a href="http://universityymca.org/auction">universityymca.org/auction</a>. Questions about the event? Contact Jennifer Romine at <a href="mailto:jennifer@universityymca.org">jennifer@universityymca.org</a>.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vimqmi_Pv2U/WNpyZYKx3SI/AAAAAAAAB-w/2HtV90NRgfsl7At0WFvqe4ddi09P8ZUcwCLcB/s1600/DSC_0037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vimqmi_Pv2U/WNpyZYKx3SI/AAAAAAAAB-w/2HtV90NRgfsl7At0WFvqe4ddi09P8ZUcwCLcB/s400/DSC_0037.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Pictured left to right include some members of the University YMCA NAWC Advisory Committee: Koeli Goel, Board of Trustees, Hindu Temple and Cultural Society of Central Illinois; Deb Feinen, Mayor of Champaign; Amanda Harris, Urbana Adult Education Center; Julie Pryde, Health Administrator, CU Public Health District, Megan Flowers, Communications Director, University YMCA; Rebekah Niblock, Attorney, The Immigration Project; Mike Doyle, Executive Director, University YMCA; Ricardo Diaz, Chair, University YMCA Advisory Committee; Lucia Maldonado, Board Member, CU Immigration Forum; Laurel Prussing, Mayor of Urbana; Carol Ammons, Illinois State Representative for the 103rd District; Joe Omo-Osagie, Board Member, Champaign County Mental Health Board.</span></td></tr>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In support of the Y’s cause to strengthen communities, NAWCs foster an environment that encourages newcomer integration and community cohesion. NAWCs accomplish this by scaling sustainable newcomer inclusion programs through a blend of direct and referral services, engaging community partners and leading community bridge-building efforts that connect new immigrants and the receiving communities. Champaign-Urbana will join the success of the national Y’s NAWCs that already serve communities in Boston (MA), Charlotte (NC), Columbus (OH), Houston (TX), Long Beach (CA), Los Angeles (CA), Minneapolis-St. Paul (MN), New York (NY), Portland (ME), Seattle (WA), and Snohomish County (WA).</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"At the Y, we believe communities are strongest when everyone feels valued, has support to reach their potential and can fully participate in society. The University YMCA in Urbana-Champaign is a champion of newcomer inclusion and building bridges between communities and we are thrilled to welcome them to the Y's national New American Welcome Center network,"</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> said Tom Valentine, Vice President, International Group, YMCA of the USA.</span></div>
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<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In an effort to engage key community stakeholders, the University YMCA has recruited a broad cross section of community leaders including elected officials, public and private sector institutions, immigrant and religious leaders as well as non-profits working with local immigrant communities to serve on the NAWC’s Advisory Board (see attached list).</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“The University YMCA is excited with the positive response we have received from community leaders who have expressed a real desire to work together to lift up and build out our collective welcoming efforts. There is a recognition that our community is more vibrant and prosperous when everyone feels welcomed and can fully participate,” </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">said Mike Doyle, Executive Director of the University YMCA. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">American communities are changing rapidly. By 2050, the Asian population in the US will grow by 300% and Latinos will make up 30% of the US population. Right now, 24% of children in the U.S. live in an immigrant family. Effective engagement of newcomer and immigrant communities is a crucial part of local municipalities’ abilities to attract and retain newcomers, remain relevant, and make a positive difference in the lives of community members.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g-_ak4MwSUI/WNnTqC6gmRI/AAAAAAAAB-I/o9Uqii2uRyI8ZQ7VDKg11a290AUkAt-BACLcB/s1600/DSC_1019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g-_ak4MwSUI/WNnTqC6gmRI/AAAAAAAAB-I/o9Uqii2uRyI8ZQ7VDKg11a290AUkAt-BACLcB/s400/DSC_1019.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Ricardo Diaz, Chair of the University YMCA NAWC Advisory Committee speaks about the importance of this work <br />at the NAWC launch press conference on Monday, March 27, 2017 at the University YMCA. Pictured left to right:<br /> Deb Feinen, Mayor of Champaign, Assata Zerai, Associate Chancellor, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign,<br />Mike Doyle, Executive Director of the University YMCA, Carol Ammons, Illinois State Representative of the 103rd District, <br />Laurel Prussing, Mayor of Urbana, and Bob Rasmus, Pastor, St. Matthew Lutheran Church. </span></td></tr>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We are in a pivotal point in time to advance our shared mission to serve everyone, including newcomers, and local leadership understands that To cooperatively and proactively welcome and support immigrant communities is an investment in the thriving future of our towns, our university, our economy, and our neighborhoods. That’s why it’s so important to reach out, build understanding and trust, and tailor programs, practices, and policies to meet the needs of all community members,”</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> said Ricardo Diaz, Chair of the University YMCA NAWC Advisory Committee. </span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">New American Welcome Center</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Advisory Committee Members</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Partial List - 3/20/17</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">* </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Scott Bennett</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, State Senator</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">* </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Carol Ammons</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, State Representative</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">* </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pius Weibel</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, Board Chair, Champaign County</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">* </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Deb Feinen</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, Mayor, City of Champaign</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">* </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Laurel Prussing</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, Mayor, City of Urbana</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">* </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Assata Zerai</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, Associate Chancellor, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">* </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Don Owen</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, Superintendent, Urbana School District</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">* </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Julie Pryde</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, Health Administrator, C-U Public Health District</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">* </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Joe Omo-Osagie</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, Board Member, Champaign County Mental Health Board</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">* </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jen White</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, President, Champaign Federation of Teachers, Local 1925</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">* </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Craig Rost</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, Executive Director, Champaign County Economic Development Corp.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">* </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Laura Bliell</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, Associate Director, UI research Park</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">* </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mauricio Salinas</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, Owner, El Oasis</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">* </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Luis Cuza</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, St. Patrick Catholic Church, C-U FAIR</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">* </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ousmane Sawadogo</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, Imam, Central Illinois Mosque & Islamic Center</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">* </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bob Rasmus</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, Pastor, St. Matthew Lutheran</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">* </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Alan Cook</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, Sinai Temple Rabbi, Interfaith Alliance of Champaign County</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Koeli Goel</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, Board of Trustees, Hindu Temple & Cultural Society of Central Illinois</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">* </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ricardo Diaz</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, Board Member, University Y</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">* </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bob Kirby</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, ESL Program, First Presbyterian Church</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">* </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rebekah Niblock</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, Attorney, The Immigration Project</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">* </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thomas Mbongo</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, Community Leader, Congolese Community</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">* </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Amanda Harris,</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> ELA Coordinator, Urbana Adult Education</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Lucia Maldonado</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, Board Member, C-U Immigration Forum</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">* </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ha Ho</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, Co-Director, East Central Illinois Refugee & Mutual Assistance Center</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">* </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Antonio Juarez</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, Community Leader, Mayan/Guatemalan Community</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">* Confirmed as NAWC Advisory Committee Member</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Please note: Meetings with other community stakeholders are scheduled and additional invitations are expected to be extended in the coming weeks.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"><span style="font-size: 12px; white-space: pre-wrap;">For more information, read the University YMCA's <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xfptRaAGpjhIuW8S-CpEsBadoIi2RZOqdHRnaVoevws/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">NAWC Frequently Asked Questions sheet (pdf)</a> and </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"><span style="font-size: 12px; white-space: pre-wrap;">the <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzNZGcWYUaaCczJ4ZVVzRkYyTFpVS3pKNU5nYWEyZUROZHo0/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">national YMCA's Newcomer and Immigrant Integration Overview (pdf)</a>.</span></span></div>
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-423422260485868636.post-83523848888626858932017-02-20T17:20:00.002-08:002017-02-20T17:20:49.029-08:00Press Release/PSA: Welcoming Our Neighbors, Building Bridges at the Int'l Dinner & Performance Night<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="il">Press</span> <span class="il">Release</span>/PSA</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For Immediate <span class="il">Release</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 10pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">February 20, 2017</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For media inquiries, contact:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 10pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Megan Flowers, University YMCA Communications Director</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 10pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="tel:(217)%20337-1500" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" value="+12173371500">[217-337-1500</a>; <a href="mailto:megan@universityymca.org" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">megan@universityymca.org]</a> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 24pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WELCOMING OUR NEIGHBORS</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Building Bridges at the International Dinner & Performance Night in Champaign</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 10pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At this critical time in history, the YMCA of the University of Illinois stands by its work as a builder of bridges between campus and surrounding communities. </span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 10pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In Champaign County, we can show all that our differing identities are actually assets in making our communities and nation stronger. In light of our collective work to lift up the welcoming efforts of our communities, we see the Y’s International Dinner and Performance Night as a key community bridge-building event that raises </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 10pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">awareness of the benefits of welcoming everyone and bringing together newcomers and U.S.-born residents in a spirit of unity. </span></div>
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<img alt="ID.Photo.Press.Release.jpg" class="CToWUd a6T" height="212" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/MnBj5TAtqjUzkLhUVXs3lMDG4iHBjf-wk0oCejRqxUz71N-u4ikjpqoIeUySrEJKIkgKY0m3f0_K8xVoURQDlzHyNQaBV67DExzd_M_inOQcu96ZAE0bL_NQd8fFr00JZSB--9Am" style="border: none; margin-right: 0px; outline: 0px;" tabindex="0" width="320" /></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 10pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At the 34th Annual International Dinner, we will have some fun, community bridge-building and story sharing activities planned in addition enjoying an evening of great food and live music in celebration of the diverse cultures that make up Champaign-Urbana. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 10pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The University YMCA and the International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) are co-hosting the 34th Annual International Dinner & Performance Night, which will take place on Sunday, March 12 from 6pm to 8pm at the University YMCA, 1001 S. Wright Street, Champaign, Illinois. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Welcoming celebrations like the International Dinner & Performance Night are part of a powerful and growing movement in Champaign County and across the nation,”</span><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 10pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> said Mike Doyle, Executive Director of the University YMCA. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Communities recognize that they are more vibrant and prosperous when everyone feels welcomed and can fully participate. In the spirit of our collective efforts to be welcoming, the University YMCA looks forward to seeing new and long-time residents build bridges to make the campus community and the communities of Champaign County stronger.” </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 10pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tickets are $15 and are on sale now at the front desk of the University YMCA, 1001 S. Wright Street, Champaign, IL (checks payable to the University YMCA). Tickets are also available for online purchase for $16 on our webpage at: </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.universityymca.org/global/international_dinner/&source=gmail&ust=1487726348645000&usg=AFQjCNFln-mIAUB-jxz1Wf_jrp-quRMKKw" href="http://www.universityymca.org/global/dinner/" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 10pt; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">universityymca.org/global/dinner/</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 10pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Tickets sell out early and seats are limited; please plan to purchase well in advance. Proceeds from the event will benefit the University YMCA’s Global Engagement programming. For more information about the Y’s Global Engagement Programming, visit: </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.universityymca.org/global/&source=gmail&ust=1487726348645000&usg=AFQjCNH9_2gyoBuRNoQXbYxE5amR5-wMPA" href="http://www.universityymca.org/global/" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 10pt; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">universityymca.org/global/</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 10pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 10pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A finalized program and menu is To Be Announced. For more information and updates on the menu and performance schedule, visit: </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.universityymca.org/global/dinner/&source=gmail&ust=1487726348645000&usg=AFQjCNEFYTk3QrIuZzGzS1yk_eZptEhEUQ" href="http://www.universityymca.org/global/dinner/" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 10pt; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">universityymca.org/<wbr></wbr>global/dinner/</span></a></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-423422260485868636.post-4679549415298418122017-02-01T10:14:00.001-08:002017-02-01T10:25:16.785-08:00Amnesty's Write for Rights Campaign at Friday Forum <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andy Swinkunas, Priya Vaikuntapathi, and Ashley Williams (left to right), who are members of <span class="m_5144171545001264685gmail-il" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 10px;">Amnesty</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 10px;"> International UIUC, ask </span><span class="m_5144171545001264685gmail-il" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 10px;">Y</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 10px;"> staff, Emily Cross and Kasey Umland, to add their voice to the #Write4Rights Campaign.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;">Featured <span class="m_5144171545001264685gmail-il">Y</span> Student Program <span class="m_5144171545001264685gmail-il">News</span>:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><strong><span class="m_5144171545001264685gmail-il">Amnesty</span> International UIUC Chapter Writes For Rights</strong></span></span></div>
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Last semester, Amnesty International UIUC, a student program of the Y, asked the campus community to turn their pens into weapons as part of the Amnesty International USA's Write For Rights Campaign. <br />
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The way this process works is by sending letters to officials with the ability to free wrongfully imprisoned people. They receive letters from concerned citizens from all over the country requesting that cases be reopened or demanding that people be released. With enough letters for a duration of time, this puts the pressure of our attention upon them. The campaign has been very successful.<br />
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Amnesty International USA's Write for Rights campaign is an example of grassroots efforts creating tangible change in the lives of people who have been wrongfully imprisoned. If you're looking for a way to use your voice, consider dropping by their website at:<br />
<a href="http://email.robly.com/wf/click?upn=iey-2B9nIWcX9C8VCAfVhm8XY7ndbGt7o6iBR45zhQTYT-2BOlypvFRlGeY5bp7X8IlBy87ay-2Bvqwdxn2cBM7a6afp2NRxuQKIxSIU1UsK6vCrU-3D_JanOxXvZfcdV6koIyYOgyRCSY3bOU7Wb6M7ey0I1y7BNR8psbOT5G1jZdOOMg5ZXnwoqIqyRAAyXxJvLaoWvMP2CB7NRG-2F2KLZWYajCiHnCCsS5P9y-2BibEVnEdSStrazKJZ-2FJSUjKTsV5Ss6lQteeGsX4cPxiFPdwXYefvYRz0OnWS4U7KWcSiBx0ETXHwczhkI4LVzfcjnBBVcqWGjYaIGEswCZeqHwsKfKceWc50ImaVuRHAayf-2FUnbutJMS6t3QsiEU2qw0hM1ZjPRHYYM-2B4JYDr1FlWxThuTUjK6L8ZiolRBUCPkT-2FsL4iAPq0tv0eM-2BmeLSa1qVaZ6l2zfNQ8p0jwYIz2-2Bl6FggpZmNptFragu1ygvqH6zPPrg7KmzEc-2FOHArBRgBI4eaePwjV-2BrkLDBjOXlE6dvNBaszmNwzweSc0z3dfZh2d5fo-2BKUqSSjDBecXzkLDuSqcwCiBk6GQ-3D-3D">https://www.amnesty.org/en/get-involved/write-for-rights/</a><br />
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<b>In light of the recent executive order on the refugee ban, Amnesty International UIUC is hosting a Write for Rights campaign this Friday, February 3 between 11:15am-1:15pm at the University YMCA. If you are coming to this week's Friday Forum, which is about the state of incarceration in Illinois, be sure to visit Amnesty's table and add your voice to a letter or write your own.</b><br />
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Learn more about Amnesty International UIUC and other University YMCA student programs at <a href="http://universityymca.org/student_programs/">universityymca.org/student_programs/</a>.</div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-423422260485868636.post-64237833151981505322017-01-09T14:33:00.001-08:002017-01-09T14:37:57.234-08:00Art @ the Y presents "Bed Shoe Home: Poverty and Homelessness in Champaign-Urbana" <br />
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<b><br />Press Release</b><br />
<i>For Immediate Release</i><br />
January 9, 2017<br />
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<b>For media inquiries, please contact:</b><br />
Megan Flowers, University YMCA Communications Director<br />
<a href="tel:(217)%20337-1500">[217-337-1500</a>; <a href="mailto:megan@universityymca.org">megan@universityymca.org</a>] <br />
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<b><br /></b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Art @ the Y presents</span><br />
<b>“Bed Shoe Home: </b><b>Poverty and Homelessness In Champaign-Urbana"</b></h2>
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<i>On view in Murphy Gallery of the University YMCA</i></div>
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<i>from January 26, 2017 through March 17, 2017</i></div>
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Champaign-Urbana is facing a crisis in housing for low-income families and the under-sheltered. To bring this issue into sharper focus, the University YMCA’s Art @ the Y program, in collaboration with the School of Art + Design and the School of Social Work, initiated “Bed Shoe Home,” a community-based art action organized by artist Jane Gilmor. Gilmor was in residence in Champaign-Urbana for a month this past fall working in community organizations serving the homeless: the Daily Bread Soup Kitchen, Courage Connection, and the Phoenix Center. BED SHOE HOME culminates in a large installation at the University Y from January 26 through March 17, 2017, including a walk-in book covered with notes and images on metal foil created by those in area shelters, residencies programs, soup kitchens and drop-in sites. The “Bed Shoe Home” exhibition series is dedicated to all those in Champaign-Urbana without affordable housing.<br />
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/l-PK3ed_KdcEDUauSP9kSkGQgY5H-sPZPWxLws03OxZ5NlC0jVvqecRL3pEXM00uDGyqWJdOqssD1GoRCnMKQGZcaDGRO2f2MBF9KgqvGr8JYAA2mVJJbUov90Hha1u8PhBF9S6W" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/l-PK3ed_KdcEDUauSP9kSkGQgY5H-sPZPWxLws03OxZ5NlC0jVvqecRL3pEXM00uDGyqWJdOqssD1GoRCnMKQGZcaDGRO2f2MBF9KgqvGr8JYAA2mVJJbUov90Hha1u8PhBF9S6W" width="320" /></a><br />
The University YMCA invites community and campus members to attend Jane Gilmor’s talk as the George A. Miller Visiting Artist at the University of Illinois on Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at 4:00p at the Knight Auditorium, Spurlock Museum, 600 South Gregory, Urbana, Illinois. The Y encourages people to attend the exhibition opening of “Bed Shoe Home” the following day on Thursday, January 26, 2017 from 5:00pm-7:00pm at Murphy Gallery of the University YMCA, 1001 S. Wright Street, Champaign, Illinois. Viewing will begin at 5:00pm follow by Jane Gilmor’s gallery talk at 5:30pm. All Art @ the Y events are free and open to the public.<br />
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<i>“It’s important to go see this work and understand it as a weaving together of artmaking and personal stories that work to uplift the voices of the homeless and the under sheltered. When you see the work in person, you are in touch with the lines of the work and have a connection with the ferocious intensity of the artist’s hand,” </i>said Julia Kellman, member of the Art @ the Y committee. <br />
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<b>Special Thanks To: </b>Center for Advanced Study, UIUC; George A Miller Endowment; School of Art + Design; School of Social Work; Daily Bread Soup Kitchen; Courage Connection; The Phoenix Center<br />
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<b>About Jane Gilmor:</b> As a visual artist Jane Gilmor has maintained a socially involved art practice working with the disenfranchised in the US and abroad since the late 80s. Her cooperative projects involve working in shelters, along side local experts, students, and volunteers, to create large installations with walk-in structures covered in metal notes and images. Workshops in metal embossing, journaling, handmade books, as well as video and audio interviewing and transcription are part of a number of activities involved in these dialog-oriented processes. Learn more about Jane Gilmor's work at: <a href="http://janegilmor.com/">http://janegilmor.com/</a><br />
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<b>About Art @ the Y:</b> “Bed Shoe Home” is part of the Art @ the Y program, a cause-driven, public arts initiative of the University YMCA, 1001 S. Wright Street, Champaign. Art @ the Y seeks to engage issues of social justice, international understanding, environmental activism, faith and cultural understanding through quality arts programming. Art @ the Y includes a revolving exhibition space in Murphy Gallery on the first floor of the University YMCA. Murphy Gallery Hours at the University YMCA are from Mondays-Fridays from 9am-9pm. Website: <a href="http://www.universityymca.org/art/">universityymca.org/art </a><br />
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-423422260485868636.post-62418639106000564482016-11-15T11:22:00.002-08:002016-11-15T11:22:56.947-08:00Get Involved. Take A Stand. <div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
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Members of the Champaign-Urbana Community,</div>
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This year our nation has experienced one of the most divisive elections in modern history. Like many of you, we are trying to understand what the results will mean for our work and how to move forward. At our Board of Governors meeting just two days after the election, we set aside our regular agenda to discuss this in more depth. Here are our thoughts.</div>
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We believe that our ability to engage in open debate and discourse about differences in policy, ideology, and methodology is one of the great strengths of our democracy. Sadly, this election has been marked by dangerous and inflammatory rhetoric that has consumed the conversation and produced a damaging environment of fear and distrust. We condemn any language or actions that target and attack specific populations — such attacks are an affront to us all.</div>
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The University Y remains committed to leaders of student programs who work tirelessly to address the issues of social justice, environmental protection, global engagement and interfaith dialogue. Those challenges will likely be even greater, based on the positions being expressed by the next administration. It is critical that we stand by students at the Y and provide them with the resources and support that they need for their voices to be heard. We encourage you to read their letter drafted in the aftermath of the election. Now, more than ever, their work is key to preserving the promise of a better tomorrow.</div>
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We recognize the legitimate concerns of students and community members regarding their safety and well-being. We renew and reaffirm our commitment at the University Y to serve as a safe, open space for all members of our community free from persecution and hate. We support your right to be who you are and respect your beliefs as part of the rich diversity of our community. Discrimination has no place in our community. We will defend the right of every person to live, work, play, cry, celebrate, mourn, and worship in safety.</div>
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We have much work to do. Many students and supporters of the Y are telling us that the election has shaken their view of who we are as a nation. But history has taught that each crisis also provides an opportunity. In the coming weeks and months, there will be a myriad of opportunities to lend your voice to issues and policies that will define who we are as a nation. We hope you will stay engaged and active. </div>
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Thank you for your support and commitment to the values we hold dear. We can make a difference if we unite around our shared values, so we invite you to join with us and stand for the principles of inclusivity, mutual respect, and compassion.</div>
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<a href="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/goog_1921166846" style="color: #1155cc;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="http://universityymca.org/get_involved/" style="color: #1155cc;">universityymca.org/get_involved/</a></div>
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Sincerely, </div>
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The University YMCA Board of Governors</div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-423422260485868636.post-61908917084475857232016-08-25T09:01:00.003-07:002016-08-25T09:02:03.822-07:00Press Release/PSA: Art @ the Y presents HOODED TRUTHS by Candace Hunter<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; line-height: 2.04; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #231f20; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="il">Press</span> <span class="il">Release</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #231f20; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For Immediate <span class="il">Release</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #231f20; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">August 17, 2016</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #231f20; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For media inquiries, contact:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #231f20; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Megan Flowers, University YMCA Communications Director</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #231f20; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[</span><a href="mailto:megan@universityymca.org" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">megan@universityymca.org</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #231f20; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">; <a href="tel:217-337-1500" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" value="+12173371500">217-337-1500</a>] </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #231f20; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="il">Art</span> at the <span class="il">Y</span> presents</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #231f20; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 24px; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"HOODED TRUTHS" </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #231f20; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 24px; line-height: 2.04; white-space: pre-wrap;">by Candace Hunter</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 24.48px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> HOODED TRUTHS is on view in Murphy Gallery of the University YMCA </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 24.48px; white-space: pre-wrap;">from 9:00am to 9:00pm on Mondays through Thursdays </span></i><i style="color: #231f20; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 24.48px; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;">and from 9:00am to 5:00pm </i><i style="color: #231f20; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 24.48px; white-space: pre-wrap;">on Fridays from August 25, 2016 through October 7, 2016</i></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #231f20; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The University YMCA is pleased to present, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #231f20; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">HOODED TRUTHS </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #231f20; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by Candace Hunter as part of the <span class="il">Art</span> @ the <span class="il">Y</span> public arts initiative. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #231f20; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">HOODED TRUTHS</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #231f20; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> will open with a public reception on August 25, 2016 at the University YMCA’s Murphy Gallery at 1001 S. Wright Street, Champaign, Illinois, 61820. A viewing will begin at 5:00pm followed by a gallery talk with the artist herself, Candace Hunter at 5:30pm. Light refreshments will be served. The reception will close at 7:00pm. HOODED TRUTHS is on view in Murphy Gallery of the University YMCA from 9:00am to 9:00pm on Mondays through Thursdays and from 9:00am to 5:00pm on Fridays from August 25, 2016 through October 7, 2016. More information is available at </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.universityymca.org/art&source=gmail&ust=1472227234516000&usg=AFQjCNGOjNgMW2Flk9W6OMedgBqEFzbQBg" href="http://www.universityymca.org/art" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">universityymca.org/<span class="il">art</span></span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #231f20; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #231f20; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">HOODED TRUTHS</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #231f20; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is a cornucopia of images, ideas and personas all swathed in the costume of 21st Century America - the hoodie. In the exhibit Hunter explores the history of Blackness in this country. A history that Candace Hunter describes as ‘"a painful and complicated affair, brightened by the indomitable spirit of countless fathers, mothers, teachers, clergy and artists who continue to shed light on this country’s 'Hooded Truths.'" </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #231f20; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ARTIST'S STATEMENT</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #231f20; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: “Much of my work is concerned with social inequality along both national and global fronts. My imagery explores historical moments. Moments that celebrate the beauty of a people or the necessary light upon violence against humanity, in its many forms, with special attention to the plight of women and children. Through research, I engage with the past and use my <span class="il">art</span> to give a public and present voice to those whose voices have been silenced or just plainly, ignored. Although I am well known for my collage-based work, I implement a wide variety of media to manifest my work. My work is rarely conceived as a single piece, but is instead imagined as an entire body of work around a central theme, such as the 32 pieces in Hooded Truths (2014), which also includes installation and performance. In addition, I make use of text and performance in my work to strengthen the voice. My practice is socially engaged, personally, in my interaction and collaboration with other artists, and politically, in my activism through my work.” </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Candace Hunter, a native of Chicago, studied the plastic arts and performance arts at Barat and Mundelein Colleges in the Chicago area. For more information about the work of Candace Hunter, please visit: </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.chleeart.com/&source=gmail&ust=1472227234516000&usg=AFQjCNFrnuErJ3W5-tvJeWQxVwI6COckdw" href="http://www.chleeart.com/" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> http://www.chleeart.com/ </span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #231f20; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Praise for HOODED TRUTHS:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #231f20; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Her work is beautiful, evocative and oftentimes controversial such as her recent series, Hooded Truths. The collection of paintings force you to look at the murders of young Black men represented by the “hoodie” associated with Trayon Martin. ‘Hooded’ means covered, therefore hidden and so as we look at the many senseless murder of unarmed Black men by policemen where the truth has been hidden. The Hooded Truths Collection is soul stirring and evokes sadness, anger, empathy and compassion. It inspires us to do something to change the way Black men are seen and mistreated in the world." -from The Chicago Defender </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fchicagodefender.com%252F2015%252F05%252F15%252Fartist-candace-hunter-opens-her-doors-to-you%252F%26h%3DrAQHkeHxS%26enc%3DAZPYuzKhmxkk6NfzO2EHzCZLZT8ANv_rvCAQo8mVSgpoMsUGSojhBiwzDpeJgg5OtWI%26s%3D1&source=gmail&ust=1472227234516000&usg=AFQjCNFOFEQwPAMs95iLMNnKtyCuIbCiCQ" href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fchicagodefender.com%2F2015%2F05%2F15%2Fartist-candace-hunter-opens-her-doors-to-you%2F&h=rAQHkeHxS&enc=AZPYuzKhmxkk6NfzO2EHzCZLZT8ANv_rvCAQo8mVSgpoMsUGSojhBiwzDpeJgg5OtWI&s=1" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #dc5928; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http:// chicagodefender.com/2015/ 05/15/ artist-candace-hunter-opens -her-doors-to-you/</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #231f20; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="il">Art</span> @ the <span class="il">Y</span> is a public arts initiative of the University YMCA, 1001 S. Wright Street, Champaign. All <span class="il">Art</span> @ the <span class="il">Y</span> events are free and open to the public. For more information about <span class="il">Art</span> @ the <span class="il">Y</span>, visit: </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.universityymca.org/art&source=gmail&ust=1472227234516000&usg=AFQjCNGOjNgMW2Flk9W6OMedgBqEFzbQBg" href="http://www.universityymca.org/art" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">universityymca.org/<span class="il">art</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #231f20; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">____________________</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #231f20; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Murphy Gallery Hours</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #231f20; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mondays-Thursdays from 9am to 9pm</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #231f20; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fridays from 9am to 5pm</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #231f20; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Closed on weekends, except in the case of special events. If you would like to schedule a group tour </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #231f20; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px; line-height: 2.04; white-space: pre-wrap;">during the weekend, contact Ann Rasmus at <a href="mailto:ann@universityymca.org" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">ann@universityymca.org</a> or at <a href="tel:217-337-1500" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" value="+12173371500">217-337-1500</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #231f20; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Murphy Gallery Summer Hours</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #231f20; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(From May 23, 2016-August 19, 2016)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #231f20; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mondays-Fridays from 9am to 4pm</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #231f20; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Parking Nearby:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #231f20; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Parking lot on 6th between Daniel & Chalmers - Free after 5pm.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #231f20; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Parking garage on 6th & John - Free after 5pm.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #231f20; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Street parking on Wright, Chalmers, & 6th Streets for 75¢ per hour.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #231f20; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Municipal lot on Green & 5th Streets for $1 per hour.</span></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-423422260485868636.post-21704053351324507062016-08-09T14:09:00.004-07:002016-10-04T08:30:13.785-07:00Y Stories: For A Better Us<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Looking back on this year, it is clear that our campus, community and country are facing unprecedented challenges. Yet here at the Y, we are fortunate to witness the optimism and energy of outstanding student leaders. In fact, some of our most significant initiatives are a result of the work of our student leaders. From Alternative Seasonal Breaks to VIS-A-VIS, we had a chance to sit down with YMCA student program leaders and ask them what the University YMCA means to them. </div>
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This is what Vick, Irfan, Joe, and Catherine shared with us:</div>
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Y Stories: Vicki Prince</h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SY0i7rNPpQY"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Click Here To Watch Vicki's Y Story</span></b></a></td></tr>
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Community service has always been a big part of Vicki’s life; developing her leadership with the Y’s VIS-A-VIS Volunteer Tutoring student program gives her insight into how community service shapes her future as a civically engaged leader. Vicki’s dream is to become ambassador to China as she continues to study Mandarin and study abroad in China. </div>
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Vicki sees the Y helping her develop her relationship-building skills and keeping her community-minded and attentive in addressing growing issues of today. </div>
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“When you’re on campus, you get so involved with campus that you forget that Champaign and Urbana are cities and not just college towns. So I think the Y has been great at getting involved in the community,” says Vicki. Vicki is also a part of initiatives that are working to create meaningful change on campus too. This past year, Vicki served as an intern with Intercultural Horizons, a global engagement initiative of the University YMCA that promotes better relationships between domestic and international students on campus. </div>
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During the Spring semester, the Intercultural Horizons interns created the Conversation Hour Program, which was open to everyone to learn about other cultures through group art projects that help encourage dialogue between domestic and international students. Vicki sees this program as a great start to break down the barriers between international and domestic students and support more inclusive relationships on campus. She looks forward to continuing this work with the Y.</div>
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With your support, more stories like Vicki's can be told. Make your gift to the Y today at: <a href="http://universityymca.org/support_us/">universityymca.org/support_us/</a></div>
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<br />Y Stories: Irfan Ali</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBU6Ng1pQPtgAihNtca9uxsJLyFpujJXsPeHQPbhZOMUCitfeRzOZkGSxGLQfBywGFZq5v80Hpvp0yWxr_K4uadwNBqM2SHZkrXYDxwbWUHJwYjOGy1MwS7cHjqjBGlUjk4SEDoGg9b4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-08-09+at+3.59.24+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBU6Ng1pQPtgAihNtca9uxsJLyFpujJXsPeHQPbhZOMUCitfeRzOZkGSxGLQfBywGFZq5v80Hpvp0yWxr_K4uadwNBqM2SHZkrXYDxwbWUHJwYjOGy1MwS7cHjqjBGlUjk4SEDoGg9b4/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-08-09+at+3.59.24+PM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLwr9uksZOs"><b>Click Here To Watch Irfan's Y Story</b></a></span></td></tr>
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Irfan Ali is studying to be a doctor; and it may come to the surprise of some that practicing medicine well hinges on understanding people from diverse social and cultural backgrounds. “How to interact, it sounds simple,” says Irfan, “but interaction comes with being able to be empathetic in a conversation. That’s really important, especially in my medical career where I’ll be working on a team and listening to other’s opinions.” Irfan says a lot of what he has learned about encouraging greater understanding of each other is through his leadership with Interfaith In Action, a student program of the University YMCA.</div>
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Through Irfan’s involvement with Interfaith In Action as a second-year student, Irfan started hearing more about what other YMCA organizations were doing and the common goal of social justice work that the YMCA promotes. “Promoting the understanding of equality and diversity is a really big part of the YMCA and that’s my main connection with the Y,” says Irfan.</div>
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With Interfaith In Action, promoting better understanding on campus is exactly what Irfan is working towards. </div>
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This past year, every monthly dialogue that Interfaith has hosted at the Y is about working towards a bigger goal of getting discussion started and encouraging others to think about the concept of interfaith cooperation for the advancement of social justice. Next year, as president of Interfaith In Action, Irfan is also looking forward to talking with the University of Illinois about creating a prayer or mediation space. Irfan is excited for the possibilities of public prayer space on campus to encourage inclusivity and greater understanding. </div>
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With your support, more stories like Irfan's can be told. Make your gift to the Y today at: <a href="http://universityymca.org/support_us">universityymca.org/support_us</a></div>
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Y Stories: Joe Edwards</h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frU10DAGI54"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Click Here To Watch Joe's Y Story</span></b></a></td></tr>
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Joe Edwards has always been a nature guy. When Joe was little, he liked to go in the woods and play outside. He still does, and he wants his daughter to be able to experience his same love of nature throughout her lifetime. “I have this creature that’s going to live in times that I’m not going to live in. I want to make sure that those times aren’t completely terrible.”</div>
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Joe’s passion for environmental activism was first sparked when he saw documentary called Coal Country, which is about how awful mountaintop removal is in West Virginia and how ingrained coal extraction is in their communities. After watching Coal Country, Joe started going with his roommate, Harry, to Beyond Coal meetings, a campaign of Students For Environmental Concerns (SECs). This year, Joe became co-president of Beyond Coal with Jackie Genova; and, under their leadership, the group experienced one of their biggest accomplishments in its 6-year campaign history: They got the Academic Senate to vote in favor of coal divestment. </div>
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This vote represents a very strong statement from the entire campus community that divesting from coal companies and investing in socially responsible companies should happen. As Joe moves forward with plans to become an ecologist, he excited to hear about next steps in having the University of Illinois commit to a Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) plan. Joe is says he’s proud to be a part of the Y, for not only helping students drive lasting change, but also in being a positive space where he feels his ideas and passions are supported.</div>
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With your support, more stories like Joe's can be told. Make your gift to the Y today at <a href="http://universityymca.org/support_us">universityymca.org/support_us</a></div>
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Y Stories: Catherine Schmid </h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQm2StkKwOc">Click Here To Watch Catherine's Y Story</a></span></b></td></tr>
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What you might see in politics and religion out in the world today is that people are so focused on differences, dividing and putting people in harmful categories. For Catherine Schmid, the Y is all about combating that ever-pervasive problem of divisive behavior through drawing on people’s strengths in leadership development and building lasting relationships. Catherine Schmid is a third-year student at the U. of I. and has been serving this year as a trip-coordinator with Alternative Seasonal Breaks, a student program of the University YMCA.</div>
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For Catherine, being involved with Alternative Seasonal Breaks is about the process of learning about an issue, experiencing it first-hand, and taking that knowledge that you have learned on your trip and sharing that with other people. She says that’s when you grow, because you’re not just learning in the classroom - you’re experiencing. </div>
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At the Y, Catherine has learned that her leadership is not only about being responsible for the task she’s committed to completing, but that she’s responsible for the people involved as well. “Leadership isn’t about being in charge of something, but about helping people be their best self,” says Catherine.</div>
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Finding community at the Y was really important to Catherine. Having somewhere where you can go and be yourself and be with people who are passionate about what they do–that has made all the difference for Catherine this year.</div>
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With your support, more stories like Catherine's can be told. Make your gift today at <a href="http://universityymca.org/support_us/">universityymca.org/support_us/</a></div>
<br />Kasey, Program Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09310708239503652503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-423422260485868636.post-36359238867860926562016-07-14T13:09:00.000-07:002016-07-14T13:10:03.577-07:00Blood Drive In Honor of Steve Shoemaker<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1.2em;">
Dear Friends,</div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.5em;">I would like to invite the community to join with the University YMCA, McKinley Church & Foundation, the Krannert Center and the Community Blood Services in participating in the first Steve Shoemaker Blood Drive.</span></div>
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Born and raised in Urbana, Steve has spent much of his life serving the community through a wide range of community and church organizations, including 10 years as the executive director of the University Y.</div>
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At the heart of Steve's service was a commitment to social justice and a concern for all segments of our community — especially those in need.</div>
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The University Y is proud to celebrate Steve's contribution by joining with Community Blood Services in sponsoring this special Blood Drive from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 19, in the lobby of the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Urbana.</div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Even when facing terminal pancreatic cancer, Steve is thinking about how he can contribute to the greater good — and this blood drive in his honor is one of the ways he is paying it forward.</span></div>
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Did you know:</div>
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— That a single blood donation can save up to three lives.</div>
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— All the blood collected at the drive will supply local hospitals.</div>
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— The No. 1 use of our blood product is for people fighting cancer.</div>
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— And blood donations drop by nearly 20 percent during the summer months.</div>
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The University Y encourages all who can to join with us on July 19 and ask a friend or family member to sign up online at <a href="http://www.bloodcenterimpact.org/" style="background: 0px 0px; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e6d9d; padding-bottom: 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.bloodcenterimpact.org</a> using Code #70978.</div>
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Mike Doyle<br />
Executive Director<br />
University YMCA</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-423422260485868636.post-78360315868968529342016-06-14T09:02:00.001-07:002016-06-14T09:06:28.110-07:00Reflections from Sierra Leone YMCA Partnership Trip <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">At end of May I had an amazing opportunity to travel to Sierra Leone with University Y staff, board, trustee, and members of the U of I faculty. My purpose for traveling was to build relationships and scout out the possibilities for partnerships between the University Y and the Y of Sierra Leone. I was also traveling as an ambassador for the Urbana Rotary’s International Service Committee. The Rotary is similarly interested in the potential for partnership and water, health, sanitation and education projects that could engage its membership.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Sam Smith, University YMCA Board Member and Engagement </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Director of the University of Illinois Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, greets </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Christian Kamara, CEO and National Secretary of the YMCA of Sierra Leone </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">with an Urbana Rotary t-shirt. Sam Smith, as an ambassador for the </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Urbana Rotary International Service Committee, is exploring the potential </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">On our trip we were hosted by Christian Kamara, the capable and personal leader of the YMCA in Sierra Leone. Our travel and accommodations were comfortable, affordable safe, instructive, and well organized. The presence of Mr. Kamara’s young, dedicated and equally competent staff provided broad and specific insight to the history and current challenges of this incredibly beautiful country.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">One simple session that I learned on previous trips to the African continent is that Africa is big. The second largest continent it boasts hundreds of languages, distinct culture, histories, challenges and resources. Sierra Leone is one of the many distinct countries with a history deeply connected to the history of the United States. The country is a fabulous set of opportunities to learn more deeply the amazing manifestations of human culture, spirit, creativity and ingenuity. The possibilities for meaningful person-to-p</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">erson engagement, unique and innovative project development are exciting, vast and concrete.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">We have already begun to plan for Mr. Kamara’s visit to Champaign-Urbana and Chicago; I look forward to his sharing his insight and knowledge of so many areas of human and community development.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">The pregnancy of potential and possibility is palpable and the cadre of willing, available, competent partners is inspirational. This next chapter is gonna be a blast.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><b>Sam Smith</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12.8px;">Board Member</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12.8px;">University YMCA</span></span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-423422260485868636.post-11341295895834662302016-06-08T09:35:00.005-07:002016-06-08T09:35:53.838-07:00Press Release: PARTNERING FOR GLOBAL CHANGE, POST-EBOLA CRISIS <div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b>PARTNERING FOR GLOBAL CHANGE, POST-EBOLA CRISIS </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Illinois & Sierra Leone YMCAs partner for new global service learning exchange program following Ebola Crisis relief efforts</span></span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">With the Ebola virus outbreak now ended in Sierra Leone, the University YMCA, the Illinois State Alliance of YMCAs, and the Sierra Leone YMCA are revisiting an international-service learning exchange partnership that was brought to a halt by the Ebola outbreak relief efforts in 2014. The re-engagement of the partnership is marked by the University YMCA's visit to Sierra Leone in late May 2016. Post-trip, the University YMCA and Ys across Illinois are encouraging community members, U of I campus members and organizations in Illinois to learn more about the partnership and ways they could get involved during the Sierra Leone YMCA's visit in Illinois in late June 2016.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img class="CToWUd a6T" height="226" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=a8ff4884b1&view=fimg&th=1552777acc9939b3&attid=0.1&disp=emb&realattid=ii_ip4a5p1n0_15526b7f925406dd&attbid=ANGjdJ92NIUYG6OT2zJqE4DXo1Xvd0jDMDvmKvfV3KPNnSm1lFIiXd8TIMBWCNu4UaDYY_s7qSpPV2P7wwq-IGip1TwJDXEMSeP4Hea9MBa3g0AaVXUDSrVZBGD5wBg&sz=w1088-h616&ats=1465403654433&rm=1552777acc9939b3&zw&atsh=1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; outline: 0px;" tabindex="0" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">On May 30, 2016, a delegation of University YMCA members (Far Left, Second Row: Enrique Rebolledo, University YMCA Global Engagement Coordinator; Front Center: Samuel Smith, Engagement Director for the University of Illinois Krannert Center for the Performing Arts; Far Right, Second Row: Jerry Glashagel, University YMCA Global Engagement Committee Member & Trustee) visits the Kenema Branch of the YMCA of Sierra Leone to learn more from members of Peace Group (pictured above), which is a peer-to-peer conflict resolution program, advised by Francess Reffell, Program Director of the Sierra Leone YMCA Kenema Branch (Pictured Front Row, Far Right). </span></i></td></tr>
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<br style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The YMCA of the University of Illinois and the Illinois State Alliance of YMCAs are pleased to announce that we are currently in the process of establishing a partnership with the YMCA of Sierra Leone. The focus of this partnership is the development of a mutually-beneficial international service-learning exchange program that aligns with Y’s mission. Today, with a growing number of youth pursuing international service-learning experiences as part of their education, the Sierra Leone YMCA partnership aims to give youth in Sierra Leone and in Illinois the tools to develop into culturally competent leaders in global service. </span><br style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">“The Illinois State Alliance of YMCAs is thrilled to see this growing partnership between the University Y and the Sierra Leone Y," says Meg Cooch, Executive Director of the Illinois State Alliance of YMCAs. "As Illinois Ys, we hope to be able to support this work going forward.”</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img class="CToWUd a6T" height="244" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=a8ff4884b1&view=fimg&th=1552777acc9939b3&attid=0.3&disp=emb&realattid=ii_ip4gwhgo3_1552764d04b4a658&attbid=ANGjdJ9eUQbGS9ZpuO0x_ar3xYOHtTmMcnrCtoOuFJF7dPibpFb3UDFEcGJ_wYd2n-6sFRHnohLcK3uISy_2w_yu5aB1MOcj7kWbDm4uycLEMP3lOdfJDVUtmM-aSb0&sz=w730-h488&ats=1465403654434&rm=1552777acc9939b3&zw&atsh=1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; outline: 0px;" tabindex="0" width="365" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;" /><i style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">On June 27 & 28, 2014, the University YMCA hosts Christian Kamara, CEO/National Secretary for the Sierra Leone YMCA. Pictured left to right on bottom row: Walt McMahon (Retired U of I professor and member of the University YMCA), Mabinty Tarawallie (MSW student) (and daughter), Christian Kamara (CEO of Sierra Leone YMCA), Pictured left to right on top row: Kasey Umland, University YMCA Associate Director, Mike Doyle, University YMCA Executive Director, Enrique Rebolledo, University YMCA Global Engagement Program Coordinator, and Vaneitta Goines, Program Adviser for the U of I's Office of Volunteer Programs and University YMCA Board Member.</span></i></td></tr>
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<br style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The University YMCA and the Illinois State Alliance of YMCAs invite YMCAs from across the State of Illinois to meet Christian Kamara, the CEO/National Secretary of the YMCA of Sierra Leone to learn more about the work that they do and explore possible collaborations. Two opportunities to connect are: Monday, June 20, 2016 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at the University YMCA, 1001 S. Wright St, Champaign, Illinois AND Thursday, June 24, 2016 from 11:30am to 1:00pm at the YMCA of the USA, 101 Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois. To RSVP to either event, please click here:</span><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Ftinyurl.com%2Fslymca&h=fAQFOOjSg&s=1" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #365899; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/slymca</a><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><wbr></wbr> . Both events are free and open to the public.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">"My Y supported the University Y’s efforts to help fight Ebola with the Sierra Leone Y because my members want to support Y work internationally and this project offered a bridge between Illinois and Sierra Leone in a concrete way," says Andrew Bobbitt, CEO of the Fox Valley Family YMCA. "We continue to support the growing partnership and connect between the Sierra Leone Y and Illinois with Christian Kamara’s visit.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Serving 23 communities across the country, the YMCA of Sierra Leone’s programs promote youth and young adult development in the areas of civic education, community health, human rights, job training, computer literacy and agricultural development. The heart of the Y's youth education efforts lies in developing cause-driven leadership, serving and advocating for low-income communities across the country. To learn more about the work of the YMCA of Sierra Leone, visit:</span><a href="http://www.sierraleoneymca.org/programme-focus/" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #365899; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://<span style="display: inline-block;"></span>www.<wbr></wbr>sierraleoneymca.org/<span style="display: inline-block;"></span>programme-<wbr></wbr>focus/</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">"Thanks to YMCA World Service and partners like the University YMCA-UIUC and the Illinois State Alliance of YMCAs, we reached out to thousands of people with Ebola prevention messages," said Francess Reffell, Program Director of the Sierra Leone YMCA's Kenema Branch. "We are looking forward to growing this collaboration into a mutually-beneficial partnership to support global leadership." </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img class="CToWUd a6T" height="400" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=a8ff4884b1&view=fimg&th=1552777acc9939b3&attid=0.2&disp=emb&realattid=ii_ip4gp7oh2_155275fa53135ce5&attbid=ANGjdJ-M2rFclRgAHQLMHk-HSwy5Y4qPP4Rgxl8VZlmffWUtnmBdnos-CTsE48fjC2PdpXf2_CtvMb0Rzx648V-E18AJKbQc5risyC9DGWf_jts2IYujG-pIh5Lgcjo&sz=w636-h1124&ats=1465403654436&rm=1552777acc9939b3&zw&atsh=1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; outline: 0px;" tabindex="0" width="226" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;" /><i style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Enrique Rebolledo, University YMCA Global Engagement Coordinator greets Christian Kamara, CEO/National Secretary of the Sierra Leone YMCA with a University YMCA program t-shirt (Dump & Run Community Recycling Program) and a University of Illinois themed backpack at the Sierra Leone YMCA headquarters office in Freetown, Sierra Leone. </span></i></td></tr>
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<br /><br style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">“I am very excited to see first hand the kind of work that Sierra Leone YMCA does for youth development and social responsibility,” says Enrique Rebolledo, University YMCA Global Engagement Program Coordinator. “I am looking forward to meeting the Sierra Leone YMCA programming staff to explore collaborations for the kind of community-driven work that we are doing. I hope that people can join us in welcoming the Sierra Leone YMCA at the end of June.” </span><br style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">To learn more about the Sierra Leone Partnership, please visit:</span><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Funiversityymca.org%2Fglobal%2Fslymca&h=AAQFYeXbG&s=1" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #365899; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">universityymca.org/<wbr></wbr>global/<span style="display: inline-block;"></span>slymca</a></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">June 6, 2016</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>For media inquires, contact:</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Megan Flowers, University YMCA Communications Director</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">[<a href="mailto:megan@universityymca.org" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">megan@universityymca.org;</a> <a href="tel:217-337-1550" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" value="+12173371550">217-337-1550</a>] </span></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-423422260485868636.post-1830838893670642232016-05-12T12:17:00.000-07:002016-05-12T12:17:35.047-07:00We Need You (And Your Stuff) For One Great Cause!<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
<b style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">WE NEED YOU (AND YOUR STUFF) FOR ONE GREAT CAUSE</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="il">Dump</span> & <span class="il">Run</span>, A Community Recycling Event</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">YMCA of the University of Illinois</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nAHBJFpk8QU/VzTWwwArD5I/AAAAAAAABnY/9yP4XITBII0qgat0nPMqXlpaD2OaGptyQCLcB/s1600/unnamed%2B%252816%2529%2B%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nAHBJFpk8QU/VzTWwwArD5I/AAAAAAAABnY/9yP4XITBII0qgat0nPMqXlpaD2OaGptyQCLcB/s320/unnamed%2B%252816%2529%2B%25281%2529.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Be a part of reducing litter and consumer waste, saving space in landfills, & providing inexpensive items for folks to purchase in the fall. Drop off accepted donations at the University YMCA (corner of Wright & Chalmers) during May 2016 collection days as part of the Y's community recycling event, </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Dump</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> & </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Run</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">. The Y is also hosting furniture pick up days for May 10 and 11, 2016 only. </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Please visit our website at </span><a href="http://universityymca.org/dump_and_run" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">universityymca.org/dump_<wbr></wbr>and_run</a><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> to schedule an appointment for us to come pick up your donated furniture for free for May 10 & 11 pickup days only. Please note that do NOT take sofa beds or TVs.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“The University YMCA takes pride in advancing environmental responsibility on campus through our student organizations, and <span class="il">Dump</span> & <span class="il">Run</span> embodies how much of an impact we make when we all work together,” said Executive Director Mike Doyle. “These May collection days provide our community with the opportunity to give our belongings a new life.” Last year, the Y was able to keep approximately 36 tons of reusable items out of the landfills. </span></div>
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The Y's <span class="il">Dump</span> & <span class="il">Run</span> program has been a completely volunteer-<span class="il">run</span> program since its inception 15 years ago as a small garage sale at the University YMCA. Each year, the Y relies on volunteers in the community and on campus to make one of the biggest recycling events in Champaign-Urbana happen. <b style="font-size: 12.8px;">To sign up to volunteer, please visit:</b><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"></span><a href="http://universityymca.org/dump_and_run/volunteer/" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">universityymca.org/dump_and_ru<wbr></wbr>n/volunteer/</a><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">When you volunteer, you get first dibs on the things collected (after only 6 hours of volunteering) - and we get an unbelievable amount of great things donated! <span class="il">Dump</span> & <span class="il">Run</span> volunteer opportunities during May Collection Days start May 9 and <span class="il">run</span> trough May 25. The Y especially relies on the help of volunteers during peak collections activities on the dates of Saturday, May 14 and Monday, May 16, 2016. Volunteer drivers are also greatly needed. If you are interested in driving to pick up and drop-off donations, please indicate that you are willing to drive in the "comment" section of the volunteer sign-up form. </span></div>
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For more information about the University YMCA's <span class="il">Dump</span> & <span class="il">Run</span> program, please visit: <a href="http://universityymca.org/dump_and_run/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">universityymca.org/<wbr></wbr>dump_and_run/</a></div>
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<b><br />May 2016 Collection Days</b></div>
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Monday-Saturday: May 9 through May 14, 2016 from 9am to 4pm only</div>
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Furniture Pick up days: May 10 and 11, 2016 only. By appointment only: <a href="http://univeristyymca.org/dump_and_run/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">univeristyymca.org/dump_<wbr></wbr>and_<span class="il">run</span>/</a></div>
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<b>Donation Drop-Off Location:</b> University YMCA, 1001 S. Wright St, Champaign, IL 61820 (Corner of Wright and Chalmers on the U of I campus)</div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We collect</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> furniture, dishes, glassware, pots & pans, small household appliances, computers, electronics, bicycles, office & school supplies, nearly-new clothing, books, toiletries, lawn & garden, artwork, vinyl & cds, musical instruments, sporting equipment & other household goods.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><b>We do not collect </b>televisions, paint, child/infant car seats, stoves, washers, dryers, non-working electronics & computer parts, sleeper sofas, mattresses, televisions, or large exercise equipment.</span><br /><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">The University YMCA reserves the right to refuse any donation offered, based on but not limited to, its size, weight, and condition.</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><b>Questions? </b>Contact the University YMCA at <a href="tel:217-337-1500" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" value="+12173371500">217-337-1500</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.4px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Visuals:</b> During May Collection Days, the University Y’MCAs Latzer Hall becomes a fine-tuned collections hub; volunteers collecting, sorting, and packing items donated from campus and community members alike. </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.4px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Photo Opportunities: </b><u>Saturday, May 14 (9pm to 12pm) and Monday, May 16 (9am to 4pm)</u><b> </b>will be peak collections activities, in which we are loading and unloading donations from dormitories and sorority and fraternity houses, sorting and packing donations to be taken to the U of I Stock Pavilion in preparation for the Sale in August. On <u>Wednesday, May 25 from 1:30pm to 4:00pm and Thursday, May 26, 8:30am to 11:30am</u>, <a href="http://lincolnschallenge.org/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Lincoln's Challenge</a> of Rantoul, Illinois will be volunteering at the University YMCA, transporting all sorted and bagged donations to semi-trailers, which will be taken to the U of I Stock Pavilion in preparation for the sale on August 20 and 21, 2016. </span></span></div>
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<b>PSA/<span class="il">Press</span> <span class="il">Release</span></b></div>
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<i>For Immediate <span class="il">Release</span></i></div>
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May 3, 2016</div>
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<b>For media inquires, contact: </b>Megan Flowers, YMCA Communications Director</div>
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[217-37-1500; <a href="mailto:megan@universityymca.org" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">megan@universityymca.org</a>] </div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-423422260485868636.post-45344015153744510902016-04-13T10:09:00.000-07:002016-04-18T10:22:53.513-07:00Art @ the Y presents "Growing Community," Photographs by Erich Adickes and Partnering Community Gardens<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">"Growing Community": </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana";"><span style="font-size: 24px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 33.12px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Photographs by Erich Adickes, and Partnering Community Gardens</span></span></h3>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On view in Murphy Gallery of the University YMCA </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">from April 28, 2016 through August 2016. </span></div>
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<img class="CToWUd a6T" height="300" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=a8ff4884b1&view=fimg&th=154109518da80fc2&attid=0.1&disp=emb&realattid=ii_imz24uz30_1541067058cb4fab&attbid=ANGjdJ8c7Qf-lIb9I8FX2HT0bn5OmZye9tck_coprdmhtzd-KKcyLAyUfOhwQDLrguOHJnZ1LjNG3hVf9TPYHej8-v1rXweSE6dloTtAkx6emBNAfqYvnmbGj18z5Hc&sz=w1088-h816&ats=1460567183921&rm=154109518da80fc2&zw&atsh=1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.38; outline: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nearly fifty million Americans don’t know where their next meal is coming from. According to Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap project, Champaign County suffers from a 16.7% food insecurity rate, higher than the 15.3% food insecurity rate of Cook County, where Chicago and much of the surrounding metropolitan area is located. One of the problems contributing to both hunger and obesity in our communities is poor access to healthy, affordable foods. Addressing local hunger and lack of access to fresh produce is one of the major problems that Sola Gratia Farm, Prosperity Gardens, and Randolph Community Garden are missioned to solve.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The farm and gardens featured in</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Growing Community</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> document the work of several local community efforts to grow good, healthy food close to home and to make it accessible to everyone.This local foods movement creates new bridges and partnerships between people of shared values and community commitment. As individuals and groups work together, they reveal a new and deeper community of shared hopes, values and commitment to our neighbors. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Exhibition & Event Details:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Please join us for the opening reception of</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Growing Community</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> at the University YMCA, 1001 S. Wright St, Champaign on Thursday, April 28, 2016 from 5pm to 7pm. Viewing will begin at 5pm, followed by a Gallery Talk at 5:30pm. Light refreshments will be provided. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Growing Community</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> will be on view in the Y’s Murphy Gallery from 9am to 9pm, Mondays through Thursdays and from 9am to 5pm on Fridays through August 2016. Please note that during the summer months, Murphy Gallery will be open Mondays through Fridays from 9am to 4pm. Art @ the Y is a cause-driven, public arts initiative of the University YMCA, 1001 S. Wright St, Champaign, IL 61820. All Art @ the Y events are free and open to the public. For more information, visit: </span><a href="http://www.universityymca.org/art/" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "verdana"; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">universityymca.org/art</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Who:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://prosperitygardens.org/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Prosperity Gardens</a>,</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> a Champaign non-profit, was created in 2010 to address the growing problems of youth obesity and limited nutrition knowledge, while providing job training and employment opportunities in agricultural sciences and food production. Its urban gardening programming, currently centered on two city-owned lots on North First Street, provides hands-on garden-based education and green business employment opportunities and offers affordable, locally grown produce for Champaign-Urbana’s low-income residents. Prosperity Gardens’ services target urban neighborhoods that are considered “food deserts” by the USDA, where access to healthy foods is limited by a lack of resources and full service grocery options.</span></div>
<a href="https://randolphcommunitygarden.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank"><br /></a>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://randolphcommunitygarden.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Randolph Street Community Garden</a></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is a volunteer run project committed to providing an opportunity for the residents of the North-end of Champaign to grow their own fresh organic produce. Their goals are to improve the access of fresh foods to the North-end of Champaign; provide educational programming to the youth and adults about the benefits of gardening; establish a mini-market to sell extra produce; create a venue for outdoor activities for neighborhood families; and establish an honor garden to recognize those who have done significant work towards making the community a better place.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sola Gratia Farm</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is a four-acre produce farm started as a project of St. Matthew Lutheran Church and Faith in Place in Urbana, IL.This small-scale urban vegetable farm was established with the overall goal of building a regional food system where high-quality, locally grown produce is available to everyone, especially those at an economic disadvantage. As a church project, Sola Gratia Farm is required to provide at least 10% of the produce grown to hunger abatement programs. Since 2012, Sola Gratia Farm has donated nearly 30% of its total harvest (over 32,000 pounds). Sola Gratia Farm is a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program with shares available to the public for purchase. For more information, please visit: </span><a href="http://solagratiafarm.org/" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "verdana"; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://solagratiafarm.org/</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> or call <a href="tel:217-417-1330" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" value="+12174171330">217-417-1330</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 13.3333px; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Press Release/PSA</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 13.3333px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>For Immediate Release</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 13.3333px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">April 13, 2016</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 13.3333px; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For media inquiries contact: </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 13.3333px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Megan Flowers, University YMCA Communications Director</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 13.3333px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="tel:%5B217-337-1500" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" value="+12173371500">[217-337-1500</a>; </span><a href="mailto:megan@universityymca.org" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 13.3333px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">megan@universityymca.org</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 13.3333px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">] </span></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-423422260485868636.post-13745205052610837142016-04-07T13:22:00.002-07:002016-04-07T14:52:35.380-07:00Announcing the 2015-2016 recipients of the YMCA Cause-Driven Leadership Awards!The University YMCA is pleased to announce the 2015-2016 recipients of the University YMCA's Cause-Driven Leadership Awards.<br />
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The following award recipients recognized are:<br />
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<b>Sana Singh and Jacob Ferruzzi</b> for the Harold W. Colvin Award for Undergraduate Leadership;<br />
<b>Ann Abbott</b> for the J. Fredrick Miller Award for Distinguished Volunteer Service;<br />
<b>Kimball Anderson Esq.</b> for the Edward Nestigen Award for University YMCA Alumni;<br />
<b>Ruta Rauber </b>for Distinguished Service Award (non-student);<br />
<b>Benjamin Daniels and Catherine Kemp </b>for Distinguished Service Award (student); and<br />
<b>Keilin Jahnke</b> for the John Price Award for Volunteer Service to International Understanding.<br />
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Recipients of the Colvin, Miller, Nestigen, and the Distinguished Service Awards will be honored at the University YMCA's Annual Dinner & Auction at the I-Hotel on Saturday, April 16, 2016. For those interested in attending the Annual Dinner & Auction, please RSVP by April 8, 2016 online at <a href="http://www.universityymca.org/auction/" target="_blank">universityymca.org/auction </a>or in person at the Y. For more information about each award recipient, please view the biographies provided below.<br />
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The University YMCA seeks to recognize those individuals whose involvement has positively impacted the University YMCA and the Champaign-Urbana community. Each year, recipients are chosen and honored for their commitment to the organization and mission of the University YMCA. These individuals are honored at the Annual Dinner & Auction in the spring and recognized on plaques found in Latzer Hall. The John Price Award for Volunteer Service to International Understanding is awarded each year at the Y's International Dinner & Performance Night in March.<br />
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For more information about scholarships and awards of the University YMCA, visit <a href="http://universityymca.org/awards/">universityymca.org/awards/</a>.<br />
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<b>Harold W. Colvin Award for Undergraduate Leadership</b></h3>
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<b>Jacob Ferruzzi</b><br />
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Few students are as devoted to racial justice as Jake; yet, he is so humble about his accomplishments and the extent of his involvement. Jake has served as a co-director for Prison Justice Project’s CU Succeed mentoring program. He contributed to strengthen and expand the program to reach more students in need. Before that, he served as a planner for UIUC's annual Civil Rights Pilgrimage, as well as a Tunnel of Oppression coordinator. In his junior year, he was invited to lead a research lab with Dr. Neville to study youth civic engagement in youth of color, facilitating several focus groups last summer in Chicago as part of that work. For over a year, he has interned with Representative Carol Ammons where he is in charge of the Judicial and Criminal Justice Panel that discusses ways to reform the criminal justice system with constituents. He was a transcriber for Dr. Mendenhall's research project with Black single mothers in Chicago and the Earned Income Tax Credit. Jake will be graduating in May and plans to become a Civil Rights Lawyer.</div>
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<b>Sana Singh</b></div>
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Sana has showed an amazing amount of commitment, resilience, and impeccable leadership in her time serving as the Director of Alternative Seasonal Breaks, a student program of the University YMCA. Sana’s involvement with ASB began as a first year student. Since then, she has remained actively involved all the way through her senior year, including serving on the ASB board for three years. Sana worked tirelessly in serving not only in her position of Director, but as Multimedia, Internal, and Public Relations chairs as well. Throughout this, she has demonstrated her positive leadership, inspiring confidence and pragmatism in working with the board. Sana is committed to diversity and inclusion. Her leadership was made evident in the Fall of 2015, when the Champaign-Urbana chapter of Black Lives Matter and black students on campus were attacked by the creation of the “Illini White Student Union.” Sana approached the YMCA Student Board presidents to propose that the 12 YMCA student programs and Student Board take a stance in support of black students and Sana was a main contributor in the letter-writing process. </div>
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<b>J. Fredrick Miller Award for Distinguished Volunteer Service</b></h3>
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<b>Ann Abbott</b><br />
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Ann Abbott has been a committed advocate to the spanish speaking community in Champaign Urbana and a passionate advocate for service learning. Ann's "Spanish in the Community" classes challenge U. of I. students to step out of their comfort zones and to use their language skill in the community to make a difference for some of CU's most vulnerable members. Ann advocates for our growing Spanish-speaking newcomers in our community by partnering with local agencies, schools, clinics and organizations to not only provide her students with learning opportunities but to provide newcomers with resources from the community. Among the programs receiving volunteers from her courses are La Linea, the Ys ESL helpline for newcomers, and VIS-A-VIS (VAV) Volunteer Tutoring. She has worked side by side with VAV not only to provide Spanish-speaking tutors but also to develop ways in which VAV and the class may work together to support the learning opportunities of tutors and students, such as subject specific vocabulary lists. She has also been a reliable and thoughtful reader for the University YMCA’s Fred S. Bailey Scholarship for Cause-Driven Leaders since 2010. <br />
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Edward Nestigen Award for University YMCA Alumni</h3>
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<b>Kimball Anderson</b> </div>
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Kimball Anderson was the student President at the University Y in 1974. While at the Y, Kimball organized the Coalition Voter Registration, a program that registered students to vote and successfully obtained in court the right of students to vote in Champaign County. <br />
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Kimball received his BA in 1974 and his JD in 1977 (U. of Ill. College of Law, 1st in his class). He then joined Winston & Strawn LLP, where he practices today as a trial lawyer. <br />
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Since his University Y days, Kimball has remained active in social justice causes. He secured the release of wrongfully convicted persons, represented Guantanamo Bay detainees, argued a landmark habeas corpus case before the U.S. Supreme Court, and represented the homeless. In recognition, Kimball has received numerous awards, including: the Justice John Paul Stevens Award (the Chicago Bar Association’s highest honor), ABA Pro Bono Award (the ABA’s highest pro bono award), Business Professional People for the Public Interest Law “40 Who’ve Made a Difference”; Chicago Legal Clinic’s Cardinal Bernardin Award; Legal Assistance Foundation of Chicago Lifetime Achievement Award (2008); AIDS Legal Council of Chicago 2006 Advocate of the Year; U.S. District Court and the Federal Bar Association Public Interest Service Award; and the “Person of the Year” (Chicago Lawyer Magazine).<br />
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<b>Distinguished Service Award (Non-Student)</b></h3>
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<b>Ruta Rauber </b><br />
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For over 10 years, Rut Rauber a has served as a dedicated volunteer for the Y’s community recycling program, Dump & Run. Not only does she spend countless hours over many weeks in both May and August literally in the muck sorting, organizing and saving useable items from the trash, she has also stepped up to take more leadership every year she has been involved in the program. For the past several years, Ruta has served as the coordinator for the kitchen and household departments, which are the two largest departments at the program’s sale. In 2013, during the Y’s transition without a development director to lead the program, Ruta stepped up to be co-site volunteer coordinator in May. For the past two years, she has served on the annual dinner planning committee. She has helped with set-up, decorations, and staging. Beyond her dedicated service, as a constant advocate, always engaging others in the work of the University YMCA.</div>
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<b>Distinguished Service Award (Student)</b></h3>
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<b>Ben Daniels</b><br />
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Ben’s leadership as President of the UIUC chapter of Amnesty International is responsible for transforming the group into one of the most effective and participatory student programs at the University YMCA. He made Amnesty a place where members with strong drive and self-motivation can leverage the group to effectively advocate for social justice in their own areas of interest, while less-directed members can still meaningfully participate in addressing social justice issues. This has manifested in separate member-led committees within Amnesty working on projects as diverse as collaborations with La Colectiva, fundraising for R.A.C.E.S., fundraising for elementary school students in Pajule, Uganda, implementing Congo Awareness Week, and planning multiple events for Sexual Assault Awareness month. Ben is also co-president of the YMCA student board. He attends meetings held by each student group at the YMCA to foster inter-group communication and make sure he is up-to-date with their activities. Ben invests so much time and effort into his leadership roles at the YMCA because he is a true believer in a core aspect of the YMCA’s mission: to help individuals and communities develop ethical principles and responsible leadership for social justice. <br />
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<b>Catherine Kemp</b><br />
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As an environmental leader, Catherine has exemplified YMCA values through her service, mentorship, and dedication to so many different programs. As a fellow environmental organization at the Y, Students for Environmental Concerns (SECs) continually looks to Catherine and the Green Observer Magazine to help achieve shared goals. Catherine is always there with a smile and ready to help in whatever way she can. Catherine is a continual supporter of the shared mission of environmental activism, collaborating with SECs on events and promoting their work through publishing articles. Considering that Catherine’s position as “Editor of the Green Observer” is only one of the many roles she has, it is amazing that she has the time and energy to work above and beyond in that position. Catherine also works for Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and the Environment on their newly-founded bike-share program, organizes the Portraits Project, serves as ride-leader for Illini 4000 and serves as co-president of the YMCA Student Board. Catherine’s dedication to the environmental movement and every other social justice cause that comes through the doors of the YMCA continues to instill inspiration in others.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 18.72px;">John Price Award for International Service to International Understanding</span></div>
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<b>Keilin Janhke</b><br />
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Keilin has been deeply involved in international service work, contributing to meeting the needs of the developing world since her first year as a student at the U. of I. She cut her teeth on international service design as a project manager for the LINC Mali Water Project, then became involved in Engineers Without Borders (EWB) -- primarily as a graduate-student researcher evaluating the impact of service work on student learning outcomes -- and traveled to Adu Achi with the EWB team. Keilin is one of the originators and remains a co-instructor of the ENG398/598 Honduras Water Project course, and has led student teams on site in Honduras all three years of the course's existence. Now, as a PhD student, she is working with Dr. Bruce Litchfield's research team to develop a sustainable solar cooker for the developing world. Her openness to cultural influences in engineering combined with her get-it-done attitude about working contextually with communities to achieve successful outcomes has brought Keilin Janhke to the forefront of contributions made by graduate students to further international understanding.</div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-423422260485868636.post-10074685454631625172016-04-07T08:32:00.005-07:002016-04-07T08:32:45.919-07:00Y Student Leaders in the News<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-2e96ddb3-f15a-15ea-d346-2f11ce53154e" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b4Cg1DiXMYM/VwZ9kW9K-LI/AAAAAAAABio/r6OfToh9YwE_uS8QMv5MspFTw2dw-c15Q/s1600/12314053_1040448546028093_9083146879246376993_n%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b4Cg1DiXMYM/VwZ9kW9K-LI/AAAAAAAABio/r6OfToh9YwE_uS8QMv5MspFTw2dw-c15Q/s320/12314053_1040448546028093_9083146879246376993_n%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Last semester, Y student leaders spoke out against the racial injustices that Black student face on campus by writing a letter in support of the Black students who are fighting to be heard, respected and to end white supremacy on campus. At the “In Love & Solidarity Rally” in December 2015, student leaders read their statement of support (event pictured above) and called for others to join them as they continue to educate themselves and raise their voices to support the Black student body in their demands for fair treatment. University YMCA student groups are planning to reconvene to discuss how to best serve as allies in this critical moment.</span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0