PATH’s Community Resource Seminars – 2014-2015. We want to answer your questions about our local system of social services -- register today for our ½ day (4 hour) training! The cost is $35/individual, plus $25 (optional and special seminar rate) for the McLean/DeWitt/Livingston County PATH Directory or $20 for the McLean County only Directory. Both go hand-in-hand with the seminar content. Our next half-day seminar is and Thursday, March 19th.
Seminars run from 8:30 am-12:30 pm. To register, contact Amanda at 834-0580 or download the registration brochure from our web site you can find the form under Community Resources.
Illinois Prairie Community Foundation Announces Grant Opportunities in Four Categories
IPCF is accepting applications for four types of grants between January 21, 2015, and February 23, 2015 (at 11:59 pm). Applicants must represent a 501(c)3 organization or one that operates under fiscal management of a 501(c)3, a branch of local, county, state or federal government, a nonprofit school/college/university, or a religious organization as recognized by the IRS. Programs must be available to residents of McLean, DeWitt, Livingston or Logan Counties but need not operate in all four counties. (One exception is the Shulman Grants which must be available to residents of McLean County.) If you have received previous grants from IPCF, you must be current on Final Reports.
For each specific program application, you may choose only one grant type (General, Arts and Culture, YEP or Shulman). However, you may apply in multiple grant categories if the applications are for distinctly different programs and fit the criteria for that particular type of grant.
IPCF General Grants are open to programs and projects that focus on education, environment, health and wellness or youth.
Mirza/IPCF Arts and Culture Grants are open to programs and projects that focus on performing, visual, or literary arts and/or art education/enrichment.
Youth Engaged in Philanthropy (YEP) Grants are conducted by Illinois Prairie Community Foundation’s YEP group consisting of 24 area high school youth. Projects must be youth focused or significantly impact youth; adults and youth alike are encouraged to submit an application.
Sol Shulman Jewish Life and Education Grants are open to educational programs and materials for residents of McLean County that focus on Jewish-themed arts, music, and theater or Jewish cultural enrichment. Examples include books for libraries, lectures, school curriculum or the like.
More information and applications for all four grant types are available at We encourage you to forward this information to any of your contacts who might find it of interest. Please direct questions to Kathi Davis, Associate Program Director and Grants Coordinator, at (309) 662-4477 or .
The 2015 Parent Expo will be held on Saturday, February 21 from 9:15-2:30pm at Sugar Creek Elementary School, 200 N. Towanda Avenue in Normal. This year’s expo is chock full of interesting and informative workshops for parents/caregivers, professionals, or anyone who works with parents and children. Topics include: bullying and parenting for success, child development and music, how your engine runs (addressing sensory needs), infant massage, yoga, money matters, emergency preparedness, etc. There will also be lots of great vendors on hand with products, information, and giveaways, all with parents in mind. Lunch is provided. Child care is also provided for children ages 2 and up with RSVP. To register for child care, please contact Jennifer Rients at (309)834-5266 or . Hope to see you there!
TALENTED AND EXPERIENCED GRADUATE STUDENTS AVAILABLE – Illinois State University’s Stevenson Center for Community & Economic Development now has Peace Corps Fellows and Applied Community & Economic Development Fellows ready to serve with local, regional, or national organizations starting in summer 2015. In exchange for a stipend, these students work 35 hours per week for 11 months to assist organizations with their programs and services. To learn more about hosting a Stevenson Center Fellow, please contact James Porter at 438-5945 or r visit stevensoncenter.org/host/.
United Way of McLean County is hosting free IRS-certified income tax preparation (VITA) workshops throughout the community from January 28 through April 13 at several sites around the community. Workshops are hosted at Mid Central Community Action (1301 W. Washington, Blm) from 5-7:45 on Wednesdays, Heartland Community College (1500 W. Raab Rd, WDC – Room 3601) from 2-6 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays (as well as 2-6 on Mondays during February), Mount Moriah Christian Church (510 E. Washington, Blm) from 5-7:45 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Normal Activity Center (1110 Douglas St, Normal) on Fridays from 9:30-2:00 by appointment only, and Bloomington Housing Authority (104 E. Wood St., Blm) on Mondays from 5-7:45 p.m. and Saturdays from 9-11:45 a.m.. For more information on schedules and locations, please visit
MCCA is offering a special Money Matters Financial Education Class, Managing Your Money & Understanding Credit, on Tuesday, February 10 from 5:30-7:00 in coordination with Heartland Bank. The workshop will cover several topics, including:
- Importance of a realistic spending plan
- Steps in developing a spending plan
- Setting financial goals and making a spending plan to meet your goals
- Trimming expenses and making money management easier
- Using strategies to increase savings
- Understanding your credit rating
- Credit reporting
- Common credit problems
- Repairing credit problems
- Establishing credit
Registration is required for this workshop and space is limited. If you are interested in attending, please contact Kelley or 309-834-9244 to RSVP.
From the Bloomington Housing Authority:
AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS AVAILABLE NOW through the Bloomington Housing Authority. One-bedroom and efficiency apartments are currently available at Wood Hill Towers, which offers convenient affordable housing for older adults and people with disabilities. Rent is never more than 30% of adjusted household income. Social services, video surveillance, on-site Peace Meal, affordable cable TV, and many other amenities are offered. A model apartment is open every Wednesday between 2:00 and 4:00 PM. Applications are available in the Housing Authority office at 104 E. Wood Street in Bloomington.
Waiting lists for FAMILY PUBLIC HOUSING in Bloomington are currently shorter than usual. The Housing Authority encourages families in need of affordable housing to apply for public housing. The family housing sites are Evergreen Place (36 units), Wood Hill Family Apartments (50 units), Holton Homes (64 units), and Sunnyside Court (100 units). Waiting lists for three, four, and five-bedroom apartments are especially short. Rent in public housing is never more than 30% of household income. Pets are permitted at some sites. Applications available in the Housing Authority office at 104 E. Wood Street in Bloomington.
For more information on public housing in Bloomington (Wood Hill Towers or family housing), please visit or contact Jeremy Hayes at the Housing Authority of the City of Bloomington, , 309-829-3360, ext. 214.
Understanding Ethics and Professional Behaviors
Tuesday, May 12, 2015, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm at Children’s Home + Aid office in Bloomington, IL
Presenter: Dr. Peggy North Jones
This training will discuss ethics and how it impacts work with children and families. It meets the IDFPR three hour ethics requirement.
For additional information, please contact Karan Kowal at .
University of Illinois Extension is partnering with OSF- Center for Healthy Lifestyles to bring you Pizza Pizzazz! The program will be held at the Center for Healthy Lifestyles located at OSF St. Joseph Hospital, 2200 E. Washington St., Bloomington on February 12 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. Jenna Smith, Nutrition & Wellness Educator, will teach you how to create a dynamite pizza crust and a variety of sauces and toppers. You will getto take home a packet of recipes and sample her classic tomato sauce pizza, basil pesto pizza, and sweet potato, kale and caramelized onion pizza. There is a $20 fee for this class. To register, visit or call toll-free 1-888-627-5673.
University of Illinois Extension is partnering with Heartland Community College for the Food Service Sanitation Manager’s Certification Course. This course meets the eight-hour coursework and examination required by the State of Illinois for the Food Service Sanitation Manager’s Certification. It will be held February 25 from 9:00 am-3:00 pm and February 27 from 9:00 am-2:00 pm in the Workforce Development Center Room 1402 at Heartland Community College. You must attend both days to sit for the examination. There is a fee of $124 per person for materials and the test. To register, call Heartland at 309-268-8160 or online at .
From OSF Healthcare: Go Red for Women: Breakfast in Red
This year’s program will focus on the effects of stress on your heart health. All attendees will receive a free, heart-healthy breakfast, a giveaway, and valuable information on how to reduce your stress for a healthier and happier heart.
DATE:Tuesday, February 24, 2015
LOCATION:DoubleTree by Hilton, Bloomington
AGENDA:7:30-8 am Registration and Breakfast
8-9:30 am Program with Dr. Anjali Bhagra, Mayo Clinic
To register online, please visit or call (309) 661-5151. The event is free, but an RSVP is required.
The Central Illinois Volunteer Association (CIVA) will be hosting a half-day professional development workshop on Friday, February 13 and invite all non-profit professionals to attend! The workshop will feature two dynamic presentations:
“Finding Strength in Ourselves and Others” - Lindsay Hale, Executive Director of Thirty-One Gifts, specializes in building confidence and leadership in teams and will share some useful strategies to bring back to your organization.
“The Stuck Stage…and How to Get Unstuck” - Steve Thomas, professional speaker, is an expert on identifying the “ruts” that every person and organization goes through, and will provide proven approaches that will keep you moving forward.
The workshop will be held at the YWCA (1201 N. Hershey Ave. in Bloomington) from 8:30 am – noon. There is a $10 fee (cash or check) for non-CIVA members. Please RSVP to Annie at by Feb. 2. For more information, please visit the CIVA website –
Mid Central Community Action, Inc. (1301 W. Washington in Bloomington) will be hosting free financial education workshops on Monday, February 9 (Personal Budgeting) and Monday, February 16 (Cost of Credit Cards and Personal Loans) from 5:30-7:00 pm Registration is required for these workshops. If you are interested in either or both of the workshops, please RSVP by contacting Kelley S at (309) 834-9244 or .
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) is a program designed to help low and moderate-income taxpayers ($35,000 if single with no children or $55,000 if single with children or married) complete their Federal and Illinois tax returns and file them electronically at NO COST to them.
VITA volunteers do have previous knowledge or experience with preparing tax returns. VITA services are offered through the Bloomington-Normal VITA Foundation and Mt. Moriah Christian Church
DAY: Tuesday & Thursdays5:00 – 7:45pm
LOCATION: Heartland Community College, 1500 W. Raab Rd, Normal IL , Workforce Development Center, Room 3601
DAY: Wednesdays5:00 – 7:45pm
LOCATION: Mid Central Community Action. 1301 W. Washington St, Bloomington, IL
DAY: Fridays9:30am – 2:00pm (By appointment only: call 309-888-9099)
LOCATION: Normal Activity Center, 1110 Douglas St, Normal, IL
DAY: Mondays 5:00 – 7:45pm &Saturdays 9:00 – 11:45am
LOCATION: Bloomington Housing Authority, 104 E. Wood St, Bloomington, IL
DAY:Mondays 2:00 – 6:00pm (February Only)
Wednesdays2:00 – 6:00pm &Fridays 2:00 – 6:00pm
LOCATION: Mount Moriah Christian Church, 510 E. Washington St, Bloomington, IL
Please bring:
Tax information such as W-2, 1099, etc
Social Security cards (or ITINs) for all persons on the return
Government issued picture ID
Copy of your 2013 Federal Tax Return
FREE tax sites open January 28 – April 13
Children’s Home + Aid Crisis Nursery currently has funding available for rent and utility assistance.The funds are available for Crisis Nursery Clients (caregivers with children under the age of 6) who have received either an eviction notice or a utility shut-off notice. If you are working with a family who is not currently a client of the Crisis Nursery, please encourage them to contact the Crisis Nursery to complete the intake paperwork and access the Nursery as we are only able to assist families who are Crisis Nursery families. In order to access the funds, families will need to provide a current disconnect or eviction notice and verification of income. Please contact the Crisis Nursery at 309.835.5260 or Jeannie Higdon at 309.834.5258 to begin the referral process.
ONE BILLION RISING - THIS FRIDAY! - Leave your work, leave your school, interrupt the day, rise for revolution, dance, drum, and demand an end to the violence!Join us on Friday, February 13 from 12-1 p.m. at Heartland Community College, Community Commons Building, room 1406, for Zumba, drumming, Yoga, community resources, raffle items, refreshments, and more.
The community agencies sponsoring this year’s event are Children’s Home + Aid, McLean County DVMDT, Mid Central Community Action, The Om Tribe, and YWCA McLean County. To learn more about One Billion Rising for Justice, please visit orYWCA McLean One Billion Rising.
Upcoming Workshops sponsored by Agape Counseling - The cost of each workshop is $25.00. Please call 309-663-2229 to register for workshops. You may choose to attend any or all of the workshops. Children are not permitted. Space is limited! All workshops held at the Bloomington location, Agape Counseling, 211 N. Veteran’s Parkway, Bloomington, Illinois.
February 22, 2015, 2 pm-4 pm, Presenter: Wilma McLaughlin, LCPC
Your Child and Divorce: For parents who are divorced, divorcing or considering divorce, this workshop will provide you with strategies on how to navigate and help your child to make the necessary adjustments. Among topics will be ‘How does your child’s age impact their adjustment to divorce’, When is the ‘best’ time to divorce, and the ‘worst’, ‘What to consider in developing a parenting plan’, ‘Moving on’ with your child in mind’, ‘Separating your needs from your child’s’.
March 8, 2015, 2 pm-4pm, Presenter: Lisa Neuweg, LCPC
Mindful Parenting: Learn how to expandawareness of your own emotions in order to create a more peaceful home. You can fulfill your children’s needs and deepen your connection to your children. You will also learn how to discipline mindfully and create a loving approach to setting boundaries.
April 12, 2015, 2pm-4pm, Presenter: Michelle Rolley, MS,LCPC
Emotion Coaching: In this workshop parents will learn the very important skill of increasing your child’s emotional intelligence. Based on the research of psychologist John Gottman, you will learn a 5 step emotion coaching process to teaching your child how to master their emotions. We will also review the types of parenting and which type you may lean towards. By incorporating this material into your daily routine, you will be better equipped to help your child develop positive relationships.
May 17, 2015, 2pm-4pm, Presenter: Hallie Harmon, LCPC
Introduction to TBRI: TBRI is a holistic approach to parent children who have experienced difficult situations. TBRI is a trauma-informed intervention that is specifically designed for children who have come from “hard places” of maltreatment, abuse, neglect, violence, or medical trauma, but you’ll see that the principals of EMDR apply to all children. At this workshop you will learn the basics of TBRI’s three principals: connecting, empowering, and correcting. Parents can form a better attachment with their children while still addressing behavioral issues and how to incorporate TBRI into your daily routines.
June 7. 2015, 2 pm-4 pm, Presenter: Alex Brucker, LCPC
Creating Successful Blended Families: This workshop is for couples, re-married, step-parents, and single parents. You will learn to better equip yourself to meet the challenges facing blended families in today’s world. You will begin to recognize the needs of every family member, and how to effectively work together to have those needs met.
June 14. 2015, 2 pm-4pm, Presenter: Dawn Dannenbring-Carlson, LCPC
Practical Help For Childhood Problems: Being aparent is a joy but it is also hard work. All parents need a little help now and then. Based on Dr. Todd Cartmell’s book, The Parent Lifesaver. In this workshop you will learn how to develop a down-to-earth parenting plan that will help you raise calm and confident kids.
ATTENTION ALL ORGANIZATIONS - Are you hosting any Read Across McLean County events for Dr. Seuss’ birthday? Go to ReadAcrossMcLeanCounty.org for examples of last year. Contact Noel at United Way Lucero at or 309.828.7383 to have your event promoted on our website.
Heartland Community College offers free GED and ESL classes! Call 268-8180.
GED: Do you know someone who needs a GED? Let HCC help. Studies will include reading, writing, social studies, science, and math. HCC can also prepare students for the U.S and Illinois Constitution exams, if necessary. Enroll now and begin classes by March 16th.
ESL: Do you know someone who needs to improve in their ability to speak English. We can help with that too. Students will improve in their ability to speak, listen, read, and write English. Enroll now and begin classes by March 2nd.
GED and ESL classes are FREE and help learners move to the next level of the ladder to success. If interested in more information, or to schedule a date for testing and orientation, please contact 268-8180.
From the Bloomington Public Library:
Now-Sunday, March 1 - Bottle Challenge Submissions Accepted
Illinois State University’s Center for Mathematics, Science, and Technology will host its annual and free Family Science Day in April. One of the activities at this year’s Family Science Day is the Bottle Challenge. During the Bottle Challenge, participants are encouraged to put their plastic beverage bottles to good use by creating something new with them.
Both Bloomington and Normal Public libraries will accept submissions for the Bottle Challenge from Sunday, February 1-Sunday, March 1. Entry forms will also be available at the libraries. Prizes will be awarded. Visit bit.ly/173SsEkfor more information.
Mondays & Thursdays from February 2-April 13 - Tax Assistance
Volunteers from AARP Tax-Aide will provide assistance in filing taxes from 9:15am-1pm on Mondays and Thursdays from February 2-April 13. No return will be started after 12:15pm.