As we head into February, we are collecting McKinley Love Letters from anyone who is willing to share. We miss seeing you, and thanks to the wonders of tech, we have ways to see and hear from you despite our physical locations. In preparation for the upcoming Stewardship season, we are collecting as many short […]
In the News
Let’s Talk Movies: Fruitvale Station on May 22
Join the McKinley Foundation’s film committee for a conversation about the film “Fruitvale Station.” Using Zoom, a guided discussion will take place Saturday, May 22, 11:00 a.m. to Noon. This event is free, but advance registration is required. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Fruitvale Station is […]
Community Impact Award – CU Public Health District
On occasion, our social justice awards selection committee receives a nomination that falls outside of our usual award parameters, and so that person or group goes unrecognized. But this year, we couldn’t let the opportunity pass to honor the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District for their work in fighting COVID-19, educating the public, and rolling out […]
Lifetime Achievement Award – Esther Patt
On occasion, our social justice awards selection committee faces a dilemma. We receive a nomination outlining contributions that span so many years and have made such a significant impact on our community that a standard award doesn’t seem adequate. That happened this year in the case of one nomination, and so we are pleased to […]
Meet This Year’s Social Justice Award Winners – Salt & Light
Salt and Light Ministries began in 2004 as a food and furniture pantry in Champaign. By 2014, however, its founders recognized the limit to their effectiveness: they were serving, but mostly in the sense of alleviating crisis in the short term. Study and reflection led them to a model they hoped would offer sustainable assistance […]
Meet This Year’s Social Justice Award Winners – Lucia Maldonado
This year’s recipient of the Community Individual Award, Lucia Maldonado, was described by her nominators as “a true community treasure,” and we couldn’t agree more. In her capacity as the Latino Parent Liaison for first the Champaign School District and now the Urbana School District, Maldonado has helped families navigate the difficulties of her constituency, […]
Meet This Year’s Social Justice Award Winners – Paign to Peace Founders
Taylor Blackwell, Naomi Dupree, Mayahuel Gutiérrez Malik, Ayan Harris, and Isabela Lleras will each receive the Student Individual Award. This diverse group of Champaign-Urbana students are committed to making a change in our community, striving to call out inequality when they see it, and lift the voices of those who face social injustices and discrimination. […]
Meet This Year’s Social Justice Award Winners – Key Club
Centennial High School Key Club, Student Organization winner, is honored for providing much-needed service to the Garden Hills Food Pantry in north Champaign. Many of the pantry’s usual volunteers are older and, therefore, more vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus so were unable to participate as they usually do. This left the pantry without enough hands […]