Spotlight on a Cause:
Center for Economic Progress
Since 1990, The Center for Economic Progress (CEP) has aided low-income tax payers in achieving financial security. The CEP provides volunteer-driven tax sites across Illinois, serving families who make less than $50,000 and individuals who make less than $25,000, (which is one in three Illinois residents). The CEP offers tax clinics in which they provide free representation and advice to those individuals facing tax controversy, tax training for small businesses, education on personal finances and on financial aid for college students. Volunteers are needed for being on-site assistants, FAFSA informational guides, and for on-site tax preparation assistants. Those interested in volunteering to be tax preparers are required to fulfill some tax coursework and training. For more information on what services the Center for Economic Progress offers and on how to get involved, please see their website at http://www.economicprogress.org/.
Volunteers Needed:
Receptionist Needed at Center for Women in Transition
Volunteers are needed to help cover the reception desk from noon to 1pm every weekday. All volunteers would be trained to answer the door and meet/assist agency visitors. Background checks, an application, and confidentiality agreement are required for new volunteers. For more information, please contact Jenny Allen at jallen@cwt-cu.org.
Classroom Aid at Garden Hills Elementary
Volunteers are currently needed to help with the organization of classroom supplies by alphabetizing papers, sorting and counting instructional materials, cutting paper and making booklets. Doing such tasks would create resources that students can use to learn at home and increase the effectiveness of classroom instruction. Volunteers can contribute their time in many ways, and dates/times are flexible. Volunteers could work from home on materials, come into the classroom and work with students, or have a pen pal to write to. Please note that those interested working directly in the classroom with children will have to be background checked through Unit 4. For more details, please contact Brandon Rutherford at (217) 714‐3801 or at rutherbr@champaignschools.org.
Upcoming Events:
Autism Speaks Meeting
The next meeting of the C-U Autism Network is scheduled for Thursday, November 3rd, from 7:00 – 8:30 pm at the Christopher Hall-Family Resiliency Center, 904 W. Nevada, Urbana. This month’s speaker is Dr. Jonathan Thomas-Stagg, a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who specializes on Autism, ADHD, Learning Disorders, Acquired Brain Injury, Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, and Disorders of Conduct. He has a specialized interest in helping students and families advocate for their needs, and his presentation is entitled “Strategies for More Effective Collaboration with Schools.” More information can be found at www.cuautismnetwork.org.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Chocolate Extravaganza
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Champaign County is holding its12th Annual Chocolate Extravaganza on Friday, November 4th from 5:30-8:00 PM at the Hilton Garden Inn in Champaign. With a donation entry fee, guests can indulge in fine entrees, appetizers, wines, and of course, CHOCOLATE from local vendors. For more information, go to http://bbbscil.org/bbbs-events/chocolate-extravaganza or contact Eric Batsie at e.batsie@bbbscil.org.
Disclaimer: I gather this information based on local community calendars and from colleagues at local service organizations. Some of the wording is based directly on what I receive and research. Please feel free to email me if you have any comments, questions, or have anything you would like to see posted. Thank you. (MER)