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CC Newsletter December 2019
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COMMUNITY CHOICES

monthly newsletter  //  december 2019
IN THIS ISSUE:
annual report
notes from cc staff
success story - sean
coming up in 2020
holiday party reminder
december social opportunities + support group
cc holiday hours
RESOURCES:
lend
accessible restaurants
supported decisions making webinar
 
There's a lot to cover, so don't forget to view the entire message! (Sometimes you have to click "view clipped message") 
 
SUPPORT COMMUNITY CHOICES THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!
We are so excited to share our Fiscal Year 2019 Annual Report with you!

We have always emphasized the importance of celebrating every success. This report is one way that we celebrate the many successes that members of our cooperative have achieved over the past year. As you read, please think of these stories not as inspiration, but a testament to the possibilities that lie within each person when they are given the opportunity to define their hopes and be part of the community.
 
Please Read Our Annual Report HERE. 

Your collaboration and involvement are the foundation on which possibilities stand. We depend on you to help us celebrate, but also for the financial support that has a direct and meaningful impact on the lives of your friends and neighbors with disabilities, their families, and on our shared community. We simply could not do this work without you.
 
There are many ways to give!
Please read how you can support, and donate today. 
 
We are excited that this year, a generous donor is matching all gifts of $100 or more up to $5,000!
  • Annual Fund - This is our most important fund. It supports all our departments and activities! With the help of our Matching Donor, we hope to raise $12,000 by the end of January, 2020!
  • Sustaining Donation - These monthly automatic donations give us stability throughout the year! Help us add 5 new Sustaining Donors before the new year! Find the Sustaining Donor Form HERE
  • The Lester Pritchard Investing in Independence Fund - This fund is in honor of Lester Pritchard and his vision for this organization! It is used to fund one-time purchases as a financial catalyst for independence! 

Thank you for celebrating the achievements of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Community Choices, and the possibilities that we can build together.
THOUGHTS AND THANKS FROM THE CC STAFF!
It is a privilege to that so many of you share your lives with us! We get to be part of so many big moments - exciting moments, difficult ones, times of transition, and during the first steps of whole new chapters. As we have reflected on the past year, we wanted to share some of the moments and experiences that make us love this work. 
THANK YOU!
Becca -  Last spring at the UNconferenc - In a break between sessions a couple of our members were sitting around chatting. A few attendees from the community came and and sat down and joined in joking and talking. It wasn't about disability or support. It was so natural and you could see how the new people immediately felt the shift of this new positive dynamic, with everyone on the same level - all there for the same reason. I don't know if anyone else noticed, but for me that was what it was all about. 
Hannah --- Seeing Community Choices members laughing and chatting with each other while roasting hotdogs and marshmallows at the Wood’s annual bonfire.  Good food, great people, and a beautiful sunset.
Ryan - The most fulfilling moments are always watching the transition as people move into their own apartments or new places to live.  At first, they tend to be a bit apprehensive or overwhelmed.  But usually within about a month they have fully embraced their new space and have a new sense of confidence and ownership over their home, and their lives.  It’s always incredibly rewarding to see the pride and accomplishment each individual feels to see their hard work pay off. 
 
Ashley - Seeing people be part of the team at their jobs. There's nothing better than seeing or hearing about folks connecting with their coworkers, sharing their interests and working together. Those informal times make getting the work done so much better. 
Kaitland -- Overhearing lively conversations between our members about Harry Potter while dipping my feet in the pool on a lovely day at the Gorsuch family pool party. I love it when our members find shared interests!
Jon - One of my favorite moments is when I’m job coaching and the person I’m assisting starts to get annoyed that I’m there. My initial reaction used to be to get offended, but now I live for that moment. It represents a confirmation of everything they’ve been working at. They get it and they don’t need someone sitting there looking over their shoulder asking them the same questions over and over again. They’re ready. Best. Moment. Ever.
Jenny - Watching an individual I support thrive at her job independently. Seeing how proud she is and how happy her job makes her is the best feeling! Then getting the added bonus of her getting her tasks done so quickly that new tasks are added on to her work makes me so proud.
 
Karli - Watching people work together at Trivia Night to defeat the long-standing Brain Farts team! I love seeing our members in action, and sharing the things that are important to them to accomplish a common goal!
SUCCESS STORY: SEAN
Sean Finnegan has worked with the Community Life Coordinator over the span of several different apartments and roommates.  After researching and looking into the Coop houses in Champaign, Sean moved into one over the summer.  Sean enjoys the camaraderie and teamwork the community at the house embraces, and takes great pride in his contributions.  His house recently partnered with the other local Coop houses for a Thanksgiving dinner and Sean made cranberry sauce for a crowd of 20 people.  Sean has also joined two book clubs (one is currently reading Don Quixote), and began singing in the choir at his church.  Sean says that his favorite part of moving into the Coop house has been “getting a chance to be more active and making new friends”.  
COMING UP & GOING ON
COMING 2020 - Member's Only Website
Have you ever wanted one place to find social calendars, CC class sign-ups, and information about what’s happening at the CC office? Starting in January, members will have access to a “Members Only” page on the CC website! There you will find all of the above information and more! 

Pay attention to your emails as Kaitland, Membership Coordinator, will be sending a password to all of the members so that they can access this portion of the website. Only members will receive access to the Members Only portion of the website. Not a member yet? Contact Kaitland, Membership Coordinator, at kaitland.communitychoices@gmail.com or by phone at (217) 419-6222 to learn more about organization and become a member!
COMING 2020 - Updated Employment Discovery Process
We've been spending the last few months re-vamping the Discovery Process we use in our Employment Deptartment.The interview process has new questions to help our Employment Specialists get to know job seekers and learn more about what type of work will be the best fit for them! We've also updated our process to include more tools for planning logistics and helping to network with more possible businesess! 
COMING 2020 - Healthy Sexuality Class
Community Choices will be partnering with the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District to offer a Healthy Sexuality Class starting in January.  The class will cover a variety of topics including human anatomy, human reproduction, sexual health and STIs, condoms and birth control, and public vs private settings.  

The class will be on Wednesdays from 3:30-4:30pm, January 6 - February 26 in the Community Choices Conference Room.  New and previous participants are welcome.  Contact Hannah at hannah.communitychoices@gmail.com if you have any questions.
HOLIDAY PARTY REMINDER!
The annual Holiday Party hosted by the Niswander Family is happening this month! On Saturday, December 14, CC members and their families/friends/support people are invited to the Niswander Family home in Mahomet, 3pm-5pm, to relax and connect with our cooperative. Guests are asked to bring an appetizer or dessert to share. You may also bring drinks to share. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided by the Niswander family. Be sure to check your emails for more information! Members should be on the lookout for emails from Kaitland for details!

Event: Niswander Family Holiday Party
Date/Time: Saturday, December 14 (3pm-5pm)
Location: Mahomet, IL
 
NOVEMBER SOCIAL OPPORTUNITIES AND FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP
December Social Opportunities!

Lunch Club @ Guido’s
Trivia Night @ Jupiter’s at the Crossing
Dinner Club @ Big Grove Tavern
 
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Family Support Group!
This month the group will be discussing Dating, Relationships, and Sexuality. Bring your questions, concerns, ideas, and resources! 

Thursday, 12/12/19 - St. Matthew's Lutheran Church. Be on the lookout for more details from Hannah!
CC HOLIDAY HOURS
Happy Holidays!  
 
The Community Choices office will be closed Monday, December 23rd through Wednesday, January 1st.  

Most staff will be taking vacation during that time, but some of us will be working a few days.  If you anticipate needing to meet with one of us during this time, please contact us now so we can schedule with you or arrange support.  
RESOURCES
BE A LEADER! BECOME A LEND FELLOW!

The Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities (LEND) Program provides one-year, graduate level interdisciplinary training designed to improve the health and well-being of individuals with disabilities. LEND focuses training on the policy, advocacy, research and clinical skills necessary to affect positive change on all levels, from the individual to systems.

The local chapter is seeking self-advocates and family members to be part of next year's co-hort! 
 
The application deadline is February 14, 2020. Please email Meghan Burke if you have any questions (meghanbm@illionois.edu). 

The next LEND cohort begins in August of 2020 and lasts for a school year. LEND meets on Thursday nights from 4-7pm in the College of Education at UIUC. It also requires some meetings on Fridays from 1-4pm in the College of Education at UIUC. In response for participating in LEND, participants receive a substantive fiscal stipend.
 
WEBSITE - ACCESSIBLE RESTAURANTS in CU!
 
FIND ACCESSIBLE RESTAURANTS IN CU!
 
CC Board Member and special education professor Meghan Burke and her son Rogan know the challenges of navigating restaurants that vary in their accessibility to patrons with disabilities. To assist other restaurant-goers, Burke and University of Illinois students evaluated local restaurants’ accessibility and report their findings on the website Access Urbana-Champaign. 
 
WEBINAR - SUPPORTED DECISION MAKING
LEARN ABOUT SUPPORTED DECISION MAKING - An Alternative to Guardianship
 
WEBINAR: Dec 11, 2019 07:00 PM in Central Time (US and Canada)
 
Study after study has shown that when people with disabilities have more control over their life and make more decisions for themselves – when they have more self-determination – they have better lives. People with disabilities who are more self-determined are more likely to live independently, work, be integrated into their communities, and avoid abuse.

This session will introduce you to the theory and practice of Supported Decision-Making (SDM). When people with disabilities use SDM, they work with friends, family, and professionals so they can understand their choices and make their own decisions. As a result, SDM can help people be self-determined, have better life outcomes, and avoid unnecessary guardianship.

Who should attend this webinar:

-- Anyone interested in guardianship alternatives
-- Parents, advocates, friends and siblings of persons with IDD
-- Teachers, transition coordinators and anyone working with individuals with IDD
-- Attorneys and those working in legal and benefits settings
-- Self-Advocates

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This webinar is a collaboration with the Southern Illinois Transition Project in partnership with the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Illinois Association of Microboards and Cooperatives (IAMC) and The Star Raft Project.
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