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CC Newsletter November 2020
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COMMUNITY CHOICES

monthly newsletter  //  november 2020
IN THIS ISSUE:
spotlight: jen's speaking up!
voting!
cc email update
nov. co-op meeting
holiday exchange
health relationships class
seeking self-advocate board members
nov social opps
disAbility expo 
stopping sexual abuse
card writing campaign
suso sign up
 
There's a lot to cover, so don't forget to view the entire message! (Sometimes you have to click "view clipped message") 
 
SPOTLIGHT - JEN: SPEAKING UP AND SPEAKING OUT!

Do you want to get more involved in holiday celebrations with your family, friends, or co-workers?  Check out Jen’s presentation at the annual Speak Up & Speak Out Summit! 

Her presentation will be on Tuesday, November 17th from 1:30 - 2:15pm.  To attend Jen’s presentation, as well as others, register now for the virtual Speak Up & Speak Out Summit at https://www.speakupspeakoutsummit.org/.
USE YOUR VOICE - VOTE!
Make sure your voice is heard! Today is Election Day and we hope all of our Members, and everyone reading this makes it to the polls! If you’re new to voting, or would just like some more information about voting in Illinois, check out this video made by Equip for Equality 
 
 
If you live in Champaign County and want to check your Polling Place, look over your sample ballot, or find universal voting locations check out the Clerk’s Website HERE
CC NEWS
A NOTE ABOUT CC EMAIL COMMUNICATION
We are currently working to update our email system after encountering some problems! If you are a CC Member, expect to be invited to join both our Community Choices Members Google Group and Cour Community Choices Daily Zooms Group. We are hoping that using the Google Group features will help us to get information out to you more efficiently and effectively. This shouldn’t change much from you except the following:
  • You’ll be able to unsubscribe yourself from either or both groups.
  • You may have to look for our emails in your “Forums”, “Updates”, or possibly your “Promotions” folders/tabs in your email.

We’re doing our best to find a good solution that works for everyone, so please let us know if you’re having trouble with communication from us!
NOVEMBER CO-OP MEETING
This month we are talking about Health Coverage! Many of you may have been hearing about Open Enrollment, or finding yourself with questions about Medicare, Medicaid, and how they work (or don’t) work together. We are excited to welcome guest speaker Claudia Lennhoff from Champaign County Healthcare Consumers! She will be helping to demystify some of these complicated programs and to share some information about the great services and resources that CCHCC has available!

WHAT: CC Nov. Co-Op Meeting
TOPIC: Medicare and Medicaid and Open Enrollment, Oh my!
DATE: Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020
TIME: 7-8:30pm
WHERE: Zoom - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87575014289?pwd=SERVdThBa2R5MmgxNVE4b2ZrYVNWdz09
MEMBERSHIP HOLIDAY HAND-OFF COMMUNITY EXCHANGE! 
If this challenging year has reminded us of anything, it’s how important our communities are. We’ve missed our traditions of in person events, parties, and groups, but we’ve also found new resources and started to build new traditions!

To that end, this year, instead of our typical Holiday Family Party, Community Choices is going to try something new - A Co-Op Holiday Exchange! 

How will this work? 
  • CC Members will have the option of signing up to participate (we hope you do!)
  • We will then assign them another member to share a holiday treat (cookies, craft, etc) with.
  • Along with the treat, the giver will also fill out a short and friendly “Meet your Co-Op Member” Profile where they can share a few things about themselves and their family’s holiday traditions. 
  • Everyone who is a “giver” will also receive a package and profile from a fellow co-op member.
  • At the end we’ll all have a chance to share some holiday cheer, get to know each other a bit better, and stay connected even when that’s gotten so much harder!

Community Choices staff will be coordinating and delivering all the holiday goodies! Please be on the lookout for a sign-up coming soon!
HEALTH RELATIONSHIPS CLASS - REGISTER NOW!
It’s not too late to sign up for our Healthy Relationships Class! 

Each Session will include activities, group discussion, and questions designed to help people develop their thoughts and opinions about what’s right for them in their friendships and relationships. We’ll also talk about how to have healthy friendships and relationships during COIVD. 

The class will be co-taught by Hannah, Jon, and RACES staff. 
 
Classes are held Tuesdays from 3:30-4:30pm on Zoom, starting Nov. 17th. Registration deadline is Nov. 10th. 

Please contact Hannah with questions at hannah.communitychoices@gmail.com or by phone at 217-418-8359. 
 
WE'RE SEEKING SELF-ADVOCATE BOARD MEMBERS
Community Choices is currently seeking a someone who identifies as having a disability to join our Board of Directors! 

Community Choices Board of Directors meets once per month. Their role is to support the mission, vision, and direction of the organization and ensure it's financial and organizational success. 

The Expectations of CC Board Members
  • Actively participate in Community Choices activities and Board events
  • Serve as an advocate for Community Choices
  • Attend monthly board meetings (Generally the 4th Wednesday at 4pm)
  • Serve on committees (as applicable)
  • Donate to Community Choices and/or support fundraising efforts through personal connections and outreach
  • Board members names will be listed on official documents and materials related to Community Choices

If you would like to be considered, please complete the Interest Application available HERE
NOVEMBER IN-PERSON SOCIAL OPPORTUNITIES
We loved seeing folks in October! This month we’ll be heading to:
  • Mini Golf at Old Orchards Lanes 
  • The Pottery Place
Keep an lookout for RSVP emails from Kaitland! 
AROUND TOWN
disABILITY RESOURCE EXPO - GOING VIRUAL
The EXPO has gone ONLINE! November the 19th is the 2nd of a series of Expo Events they’re calling Third Thursday Resource Roundups!

November will be featuring Self-Help/Support Groups and Vocational/Residential/Recreational Providers (including Community Choices!)

To participate you’ll need to pre-register, which is 100% Free. On the day of the event you’ll be able to watch informational videos about the different exhibitors and talk directly with staff from organizations over zoom!
 
PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Please Register by Nov. 12th! 
REGISTER HERE

Find out more information about the virtual Expo HERE

Upcoming Third-Thursday Round-Ups Coming Up: 
December - Enjoy the holidays! 
January 21st: Advocacy, Legal, Service Organizations 
February 18th: Educational Services and Services for Young Children 
RESOURCES AND EVENTS
STOPPING SEXUAL VIOLENCE
The Illinois Self Advocacy Alliance is excited to collaborate on the AAPD (American Association of People with Disabilities) 2020 Paul G Hearne Leadership Award to engage survivors with disabilities, rape crisis centers, service providers, professionals and advocates in doing collaborative regional and statewide work aimed at improving services, policies and opportunities for people with disabilities who have experienced sexual violence.
 
Check out the MANY great learning opportunities HERE
LOCAL CARD WRITING CAMPAIGN
SCFR (Illinois Student Council on Family Relations) is organizing a card-writing campaign for elders living in the Champaign Urbana Nursing and Rehab Center, which is especially needed during this time of great isolation.  They are requesting that you join us in this campaign. It’s easy! You can write/paste in a poem, write a hopeful fall letter, or draw/paste a picture. The picture could include any fun or pretty photo (e.g., landscape, fall theme pictures, pets, flowers). Folks also love drawn artwork (from yourself and/or children), so that is encouraged as well. 
 
Please send notes and artwork to (iwinski2@illinois.edu) and Andrea Fanta (andreaf3@illinois.edu) before 11/20. SCFR will then send or drop off the letters at their facility. Feel free to share this with any of your friends or family as well! The hope is to give as many as possible. 

Check out the different templates below, but you can also create your own template if you would like. Creativity is encouraged! 
 
SPEAK UP SPEAK OUT 2020
SUSO is going online!  This year the Annual Speak Up Speak Out Summit will be held over Zoom from November 16-20th!  Each day will start online at 9:45 and run until about 2:30 with Keynote Speakers, Breakout Sessions, and lots of the important SUSO content just adjusted for the online format! 
 
Check out the agenda, speakers, and get more info at their website HERE

Registration is OPEN - Register NOW
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COMMUNITY CHOICES     44 E MAIN, SUITE 210    CHAMPAIGN, IL     61820