Announcements
(notes provided by the venerable Neal Chamberlain)
The Rotary Minute was provided by Reuben Chambers. Reuben was born and raised in Chicago in a family of nine children. He attended Chicago schools, and received a B.S. degree from University of Illinois, Chicago in Liberal Arts. Reuben moved to the Champaign/Urbana area 14 years ago. He joined the C-U Sunrise Rotary Club in 2006. Rueben is employed by Comcast as an account executive. His wife is Tasha, and they have three children, Dylan, Landyn and Donovyn.
Rod announced that there is still time to sign up for helping with the Habitat for Humanity house build on Saturday, August 2nd. Members and friends are encouraged to sign up, even if they can only come for a few hours.
Program
Kris introduced the speaker for the day, Isak Griffiths, who is the Executive Director of Courage Connections. Isak has a bachelors and an MBA from University of Illinois, and is an Air Force veteran. Isak also introduced her co-worker, Mary Wallace, who is the Director of Development for Courage Connections.
Isak explained that although she is new to her position and the name Courage Connections (most recently know as Women in Transition) is new, the organization’s purpose and contributions to the needs of women in this community are not new. Courage Connections continues to provide housing, advocacy, education and self sustainability for women who are in need. Courage Connections has three main connections:
First, the courage to connect: We see the person behind the 2,000 domestic violence calls made to local police each year. With Courage Connections, no one has to deal with domestic violence alone. We know that over 300 school age children in our community are homeless. With Courage Connection, these children have a safe place to go. We believe that Courage Connections can and will provide services enabling families to achieve safety, stability and self-sufficiency.
Second, the courage to help: We help victims of domestic violence and homeless women and children find a place of courage, safety and community. We provide domestic violence services by providing 24-hour hotline, emergency shelter, counseling, safety planning, court advocacy and children’s case management. We also provided transitional housing with daily phone assessments, counseling, educational assistance, support groups and early head start programs. We are providing affordable rental housing for families and singles. We encourage persons to use our retail training program in which they learn job skills, resume and interview skills, and job search assistance.
Third, the courage to change: When women and families have used the needed support, they are able to connect to achieve success. With the education and support we provide we have witnessed the lives of women change as they have courage to become a productive member of their family and community.
Isak ended her remarks by saying that Rotarians can help Courage Connections by volunteering, by providing financial support and by reminding people we are here.
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| July 31st | Aug 7th | Aug 14th | Aug 21st | |
| Introductions | Paul Conforti | Molly Delaney | Ata Durukan | Bruce Hatfield |
| Invocation | Jan Merchen | Phyllis Mischo | Penn Nelson | Gary Olsen |
| Greeters | Paul Conforti | Molly Delaney | Ata Durukan | Bruce Hatfield |
| John McDaniel | Jan Merchen | Phyllis Mischo | Penn Nelson | |
| Song Leader | Dave Krchak | Bob La Charite | BJ Lytle | Ben Mast |
| Notetaker | Lintner | Penwell | Hodson | Conforti |
| Rotary Minute | Paul Conforti | Molly Delaney | Bruce Hatfield | Mary Hodson |
| Decker Weeding | Hatfield | Nelson | Paceley | Chalifoux |
| Next Weekend | Shelby | Nelson | Shelby | Family |
| Decker Garden | Adams | Krchak | Krchak | Perry |
| Watering |
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UPCOMING SCHEDULE
July 31st – Deborah Miller, Director of Development, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts
August 7th – Visit from the Governor
August 14th – Molly Delaney will discuss the CU Schools Foundation
August 21st – Bruce Knight, Planning and Development Director, City of Champaign
August 28th – Celeste Choate, Director, Urbana Free Library
September 4th – David Thiel, Director of Content for WILL TV
September 11th – Dr. Judy Wiegand, Superintendent of Unit 4 Schools
