Elevated Access recognizes that not all people have access to the healthcare they need due to stigma in their community. Because we believe everyone deserves access to healthcare such as abortion and gender-affirming care, their volunteer pilots provide free transportation to get people where they can get the care they need to live their best life.

This week players are encouraged to donate school supplies. All items donated will be added to the Little Free Pantry Julie maintains in her front yard in Urbana, Illinois. Help make the start of this school year something special and get essential supplies into the hands of local kids! Here is an Amazon wishlist with ideas: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2PDAQB5YUY2O7?ref_=wl_share

RACES is the community-based rape crisis center serving East-Central Illinois. We provide free, confidential services to anyone who has been affected by sexual assault, abuse, or harassment.

Cunningham Township in Urbana, Illinois, facilitates Neighbors Helping Neighbors through channeling your charitable donation to support the unmet needs of local residents. 100% of all donated funds go directly to secure food, clothing, housing, power, transportation or other tangible needs on behalf of residents.

This volunteer-driven non-profit medical group developed a simple resuscitator designed to meet the gap in global healthcare needs. Thanks to a partnership with Village Life Outreach, Venti-Now ventilators have been installed in multiple hospitals in Eastern Africa. Donate now to help supply safe, effective and affordable emergency ventilators globally.

The Bucket Brigade was founded in response to a crisis of food insecurity in the wake of the pandemic. Our mission is to promote food justice by delivering hot meals, packaged food, fresh produce, and other critical resources to households throughout Urbana-Champaign.

Planned Parenthood is a leading provider of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, and the nation’s largest provider of sex education. Planned Parenthood health centers provide millions of people in the U.S. with contraception, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), lifesaving cancer screenings, and safe, legal abortion.

Silver Hearts is a peace and community-building initiative serving residents living in apartments at Silver and Vawter streets in southeast Urbana. Since the pandemic, Silver Hearts started out providing 150 boxes of free food monthly to every apartment during the early part of the pandemic.

The Advancing Equity Fund at the Champaign County Forest Preserve District subvents school field trips, offers camp scholarships for camps, develops programs for groups, and provides other resources to local schools.

The Land Connection envisions community-based food systems in which every farmer has the opportunity to grow food in a sustainable manner, and every person can access local & organic foods. They train farmers in resilient, restorative farming techniques; inform the public about the sources of our food and why that matters; and work to protect and enhance farmland so that we, and generations to come, will have clean air and water, fertile soil, and healthy, delicious food.

Julie has maintained a Little Free Pantry in her front yard since March 2020. The year-round pantry contains a range of non-perishable food items and personal care items (i.e. toothbrushes, tampons, etc.). All are welcome to take what they need and give as they are able. Donations can be dropped off on my portch at any time, or items can be shipped via this Amazon wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2ZADRBZ9PRO9X?ref_=wl_share.

Sistering CU's mission is to provide a postpartum support network for families in Champaign County and enable them to successfully navigate the challenges of life with a newborn. They envision a community where the transition to parenthood is acknowledged, valued, supported and new families thrive.

Champaign County Health Care Consumers (CCHCC) believes that health care is a basic human right, and is dedicated to the mission of working for quality affordable health care for all, and for environmental health and justice. CCHCC organizes individuals and communities to have a voice in the health care system and to affect social change to achieve health justice.

​This volunteer-driven non-profit  medical group developed an elegantly simple resuscitator designed to meet the gap in global healthcare needs. Thanks to a partnership with Village Life Outreach, Venti-Now ventilators have been installed in multiple hospitals in Eastern Africa. Donate now to help supply safe, effective and affordable emergency ventilators globally.

Buy Black Chambana is a community organization dedicated to empowering and creating space for all people to celebrate and honor Black culture, support Black businesses and uplift the community through events, workshops, partnerships and networking functions.

The mission of the CC Humane Society is to prevent cruelty to animals, to promote animal welfare, to educate the public about the humane care and treatment of animals, to increase public awareness of the companion animal overpopulation issue and to provide solutions, and to provide high quality shelter, medical, and adoption services for animals when necessary.

The Eastern Illinois Foodbank exists to alleviate hunger in eastern Illinois by providing a reliable source of food for the hungry through cooperation with a network of food pantries and agencies. During fiscal year 2021, 350,000 people were served through this network of food pantries. Just $1 can feed a neighbor today!

For this week's non-profit work, I have set up a CU Lockdown Trivia fundraising page to direct giving to CU at Home's annual One Winter Night (OWN) event taking place this Friday. OWN provides a powerful opportunity for our community to raise awareness of homelessness, and experience a bit of what it might be like to be outside, overnight, in the coldest part of a Central Illinois Winter. Please give as you are able. Thank you!

Uniting Pride (UP) exists to create a Champaign County where all who identify as sexual and/or gender minorities can live full, healthy, and vibrant lives. Since 2009, UP has been active in the community through support and social groups, community-building events, educational workshops, clothing drives, arts festivals, political advocacy, and more.

The Mahomet Area Youth Club is a community-supported youth development program, dedicated to serving children between the ages of 6-18. MAYC serves over 1,000 students per year through after-school programming, holiday all-day camps, and work study programs.

DREAAM is an organization that has a variety of programs working every day to sustain a culture of achievement, engagement, and behavioral health for boys and young men.

To improve the lives of those living with HIV/ AIDS and to help decrease the spread of the disease, GCAP collaborates with local resources and organizations to serve its community by providing educational outreach to the public and by providing assistance to those who are living with HIV in the form of transitional housing, emergency financial aid and other supportive services.

Rattle the Stars is a non-profit organization that provides community-based suicide prevention services. We believe that suicide prevention is not just about preventing death, but also about promoting living by creating a society that supports emotional wellness for everyone. Prevent Suicide, Promote Living.

Spring Initiative is a non-profit that empowers young people in the Mississippi Delta to beat the odds, access the opportunities they deserve, and build successful, happy and hopeful lives for themselves.

Every month with the help of people like you the Wesley Food Pantry puts food on the table of hundreds of families struggling to make ends meet.  These families in need are our friends, our coworkers, our neighbors. 

Eco-Justice Collaborative first raises public awareness of the consequences of our actions on people and our planet, then advocates personal and policy changes that: Seek harmony with planet earth; Respect all life; Value diversity; Support ecological sustainability; and Bring about a just distribution of the world’s resources.

The Next Postpartum is a non-profit that aims to help change the narrative about the NICU experience—from a story that’s too often about struggle and isolation to one that focuses on community and support with services like transportation, lodging, prepared meals; Care Coordinators ; and links to other support programs.

To celebrate her birthday, Julie asked for help to endow the Champaign-Urbana branch of the AAUW's Parkland College scholarship for women who want to resume their interrupted education. A mix of previous donations being processed and the wonderful generosity of those who recently donated raised the account total to over $27,000, ensuring this scholarship will be available in perpetuity. Thank you!

The Mission of the Community Foundation of Central Illinois is to promote philanthropy in an impartial, unbiased, ethical way, with a commitment to inclusiveness, and to bring together people and resources to identify and address present and emerging community needs.

Feeding Our Kids provides nourishing food to food insecure school children in Champaign County on weekends and school holidays throughout the school year.

The mission of the Education Justice Project is to build a model college-in-prison program that demonstrates the positive impacts of higher education upon incarcerated people, their families, the communities from which they come, the host institution, and society as a whole. 

CROP Hunger Walks are community-based walk events, raising funds to support the global mission of Church World Service, a faith-based organization transforming communities around the globe through just and sustainable responses to hunger, poverty, displacement and disaster. Twenty five percent of the funds raised are returned to the host community to support local hunger fighting efforts.

Big Brothers Big Sisters strives to make a positive difference in the lives of children and youth, primarily through a professionally supported one-to-one relationship with a caring adult, and to assist them in achieving their highest potential as they grow to become responsible men and women.

This week players are encourage to donate school supplies. All items donated will be added to the Little Free Pantry  Julie maintains in her front yard in Urbana, Illinois. Help get essential supplies into the hands of local kids and make the start of this school year something special! Here is an Amazon wishlist with ideas: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2PDAQB5YUY2O7?ref_=wl_share.

Sola Gratia Farm is a community-based farm dedicated to producing locally-grown, high-quality, natural produce. Responding to the Gospel, the farm is committed to helping those who lack adequate food resources by donating a minimum of ten percent of its produce to support regional hunger programs.  The farm promotes healthy lifestyles and community building through volunteering and service, special events and outreach and education programs.

The Common Ground Co-op Food For All program is designed to help co-op customers eat healthy and save money. The FFA Education Grant gives customers a 100% discount on any class at Common Ground. The FFA Equity Grant gives qualified Co-op customers a yearly ownership and a 10% discount on food staples and all produce.

Re-nourish is a non-profit that provides online tools and advocates for awareness and action for sustainable systems thinking in the visual communication design community.

Community Choices partners with people with disabilities in Champaign County in their pursuit of independence, opportunity, and choice by offering quality, self-directed supports and services to assist in community living.

The New American Welcome Center at the University Y works to make our community a place where all immigrants can thrive and flourish. We do this by engaging local institutions and mobilizing community resources to ensure equitable access to services, economic opportunity, and meaningful belonging.

This week players are encouraged to donate to the Urbana Parks Foundation Youth Scholarship Fund. Donations will help families with financial need pay for summer camps and other awesome park district programs for youth.

ISCU's purpose since 2016 has been to extend a welcoming hand to immigrant families new to our community. When families face obstacles, ISCU is there to help. ISCU provides new families with the tools they need to build a future where their talents and skills will help them fulfill the dreams they had when they first arrived in this country.

Venti-Now developed a lightweight, portable, and inexpensive ventilator for use on patients who need assistance in breathing. The prototype was given Emergency Use Authorization from the U. S. Food and Drug Administration in April 2020. By the end of 2020, 55 ventilators had been distributed to hospitals in Africa and Asia whose need is dire. The success has been spectacular; with dozens of lives saved.

Champaign-Urbana Ballet is a local non-profit dedicated to offering ballet performance opportunities to area youth and enriching the community through the art of dance. CU Ballet donates tickets to families and members of our community who do not normally have the opportunity to experience live performances.

Cunningham Township in Urbana, Illinois, facilitates Neighbors Helping Neighbors through channeling your charitable donation to support the unmet needs of local residents. 100% of all donated funds go directly to secure food, clothing, housing, power, transportation or other tangible needs on behalf of residents.

First Followers is a reentry program based in Champaign, Illinois. Their mission is to build strong and peaceful communities by providing support, guidance, and hope to formerly incarcerated people and their loved ones through peer mentorship.

Habitat for Humanity builds homes, community, and hope in Champaign County

Support for one. Support for all. Uniting Pride exists to create a Champaign County where all who identify as sexual and/or gender minorities can live full, healthy, and vibrant lives. The UP Center is the only LGBTQ+ resource center in the greater east central Illinois region.

Planned Parenthood is a leading provider of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, and the nation’s largest provider of sex education. Planned Parenthood health centers provide millions of people in the U.S. with contraception, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), lifesaving cancer screenings, and safe, legal abortion.

RACES is the community-based rape crisis center serving East-Central Illinois. We provide free, confidential services to anyone who has been affected by sexual assault, abuse, or harassment.

Silver Hearts is a peace and community-building initiative serving residents living in apartments at Silver and Vawter streets in southeast Urbana. Since the pandemic, Silver Hearts has focused on providing 150 boxes of free food monthly to every apartment during this unprecedented, difficult time in history.

Promise Heathcare provides medical, behavioral, and dental care to underserved communities, including through SmileHealthy Dental Center and Francis Nelson.

CCES is a non-profit community organization formed in 2019 to support efforts to provide area citizens with safe and convenient collection options for household materials that pose potential problems at the end of their useful life.

The mission of Sistering CU is to provide a postpartum support network for families in Champaign County and enable them to successfully navigate the challenges of life with a newborn. They envision envision a community where the transition to parenthood is acknowledged, valued, supported and new families thrive.

The Bucket Brigade was founded in response to a crisis of food insecurity in the wake of the pandemic. Our mission is to promote food justice by delivering hot meals, packaged food, fresh produce, and other critical resources to households throughout Urbana-Champaign.

The Eastern Illinois Foodbank exists to alleviate hunger in Eastern Illinois by providing a reliable source of food for the hungry through cooperation with a network of food pantries and agencies.

Salt & Light believes that people struggling with poverty are not projects. Partners are invited to shopping in their stores, volunteer their time, and donate goods and finances. Because of this support, our at-risk community members gain access to food, clothing, and household goods. More importantly, our most vulnerable gain a community of people who empower, affirm, and encourage them.

This week, players are encouraged to donate to the Champaign-Urbana branch of the AAUW's Parkland College scholarship for women who want to resume their interrupted education. To give, go to www.parkland.edu/foundation. Select ‘Donate,' and a form will pop up. Within the form, fill in your information, and select “Department/Program/Scholarship Fund” and direct your gift to: "Champaign-Urbana Branch of AAUW Endowed Scholarship Fund." 

Champaign County Health Care Consumers (CCHCC) believes that health care is a basic human right. Its mission is to work for quality affordable health care for all, and for environmental health and justice. CCHCC carries out its mission through direct service, consumer education, advocacy, and community organizing.

Using the creative power of science, law, and collective action, Prairie Rivers Network protects and restores our rivers, returns healthy soils and diverse wildlife to our lands, and transforms how we care for the earth and for each other.

One Winter Night is an annual event to raise money for homelessness in Champaign-Urbana, sponsored by CU at Home. Participants commit to spending 12 hours outside in a cardboard box in downtown Champaign.

DREAAM is an organization that has a variety of programs working every day to sustain a culture of achievement, engagement, and behavioral health for boys and young men.

Buy Black Chambana is a community organization dedicated to empowering and creating space for ALL people to celebrate and honor black culture, support black businesses, and uplift the community. When you support a black business, you help close the racial wealth gap, strengthen local economies, foster job creation, celebrate black culture, and hold other companies accountable.

Spring Initiative is a non-profit that empowers young people in the Mississippi Delta to beat the odds, access the opportunities they deserve, and build successful, happy and hopeful lives for themselves.

UC Books to Prisoners is an Urbana Illinois based project providing books to incarcerated individuals in Illinois at no cost by mail as well as through two county jail libraries in which they operate.

The Land Connection trains farmers in resilient, restorative farming techniques; informs the public about the sources of our food and why that matters; and works to protect and enhance farmland so that we, and generations to come, will have clean air and water, fertile soil, and healthy, delicious food.

Crisis Nursery creates an "Island of Safety" dedicated to the prevention of child abuse and neglect by providing 24-hour emergency care for children and support to strengthen families in crisis.

Mobilizing the world, four paws at a time. At Illini Service Dogs, their mission is to provide world class service dogs to individuals who have a physical disability. U of Illinois students work 1-on-1 to train service dogs and experienced training staff, and engage with the disability community.

CU Schools Foundation invests in educators and students by supporting creativity, innovation, and excellence in Champaign and Urbana Public Schools.

The Champaign County Humane Society's mission is to instill respect, kindness, and compassion for animals as community values. They work to prevent cruelty to animals, promote animal welfare, educate the public about the humane care and treatment of animals, increase public awareness of the companion animal overpopulation issue and provide solutions, and provide high quality shelter, medical, and adoption services for animals when necessary.

The mission of the Education Justice Project is to build a model college-in-prison program that demonstrates the positive impacts of higher education upon incarcerated people, their families, the communities from which they come, the host institution, and society as a whole. 

The Champaign-Urbana Tenant Union is a service and advocacy organization that works to stimulate equitable relations between tenants and landlords.

CROP Hunger Walks are community-based walk events, raising funds to support the global mission of Church World Service, a faith-based organization transforming communities around the globe through just and sustainable responses to hunger, poverty, displacement and disaster. Twenty five percent of the funds raised are returned to the host community to support local hunger fighting efforts.

Every month with the help of people like you the Wesley Food Pantry puts food on the table of hundreds of families struggling to make ends meet.  These families in need are our friends, our coworkers, our neighbors. 

The American Civil Liberties Union is a nonprofit organization founded in 1920 to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States.

100% of all funds donated to the Cunningham Township Angel Fund go directly to secure food, clothing, housing, power, transportation or other tangible needs on behalf of residents seeking support.

Habitat for Humanity builds homes, community, and hope in Champaign County

The Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center Foundation (UCIMC) is a grassroots organization that supports the creation and distribution of media and art that emphasizes underrepresented voices and perspectives, and promotes empowerment and expression through media and arts education.

Community Choices partners with people with disabilities in Champaign County in their pursuit of independence, opportunity, and choice by offering quality, self-directed supports and services to assist in community living.

To improve the lives of those living with HIV/ AIDS and to help decrease the spread of the disease, GCAP collaborates with local resources and organizations to serve its community by providing educational outreach to the public and by providing assistance to those who are living with HIV in the form of transitional housing, emergency financial aid and other supportive services.

Jubilee Cafe offers freshly cooked meals to college students and other local residents who struggle with food insecurity.

First Followers’ mission is to build strong and peaceful communities by providing support, guidance, and hope to formerly incarcerated people and their loved ones through peer mentorship.

Feeding Our Kids provides nourishing food to food insecure school children on weekends and school holidays throughout the school year.

Promise Heathcare provides medical, behavioral, and dental care to underserved communities including through SmileHealthy Dental Center and Francis Nelson.

X-Time's mission is to support children with free, online activities that are fun and educational. We hope these classes will expose students to a variety of interests and fuel their passions to learn more.

The Refugee Center exists to provide services essential to refugee and immigrant resettlement in East Central Illinois, and to aid in the exchange and preservation of their respective cultures.

C-U at Home engages and mobilizes our community to house and support the most vulnerable homeless on their journey of healing and restoration.

Daily Bread Soup Kitchen's mission is to feed the hungry of our community regardless of race, religion, or ethnicity. We welcome all volunteers to this service who share an unconditional positive regard for every human being. We provide a safe, respectful, and inviting environment in an atmosphere of hope and dignity.

Everyday, Planned Parenthood of Illinois helps all kinds of people get the health tools and information—and above all the care and compassion they need—to prevent unintended pregnancies or to plan for families when they are ready.

Austin's Place provides emergency overnight sleeping space that is safe, respectful, and restful for homeless women in Urbana-Champaign.

The Bucket Brigade was founded in response to a crisis of food insecurity in the wake of the pandemic. Our mission is to promote food justice by delivering hot meals, packaged food, fresh produce, and other critical resources to households throughout Urbana-Champaign.

The New American Welcome Center at the University Y works to make our community a place where all immigrants can thrive and flourish. We do this by engaging local institutions and mobilizing community resources to ensure equitable access to services, economic opportunity, and meaningful belonging.

RACES is the community-based rape crisis center serving East-Central Illinois. We provide free, confidential services to anyone who has been affected by sexual assault, abuse, or harassment.