Project LINK (Karla Shelby): Metanoia Center Inc.

1. Metanoia Center Inc. 1313 N. Clock St. Champaign, IL 61821

2. There are many disadvantaged families across the world and the great things about Metanoia Center is that unlike most businesses that help low income families, this center is located in the heart of what is viewed as the low end of Champaign, Urbana. It is not a big fancy building with executive that claim to be there for the welfare of the families in which seek assistance. Instead the center is housed in one of the neighborhood homes that was converted to provide meals and a food pantry for families without food, before and after school snacks for the neighborhood children, computers for the neighborhood children, tutoring for both children and adults, and many other community services. The values of the center appear to be more apparent because the center is right there in the mist of the families in which they help and therefore are able to adjust their resources based on the family’s needs.

3. Metanoia Center is somewhat of an advocate for the neighborhood where its office is located; therefore they work with my city officials to help in the strategizing to build up the area, the Mayor as support for the upcoming changes to come in the area, and police staff to reduce the crime in the area. So I was able to meet many Champaign icons that I have heard of but never knew what their purpose was when it came down to the real aide to low income families and low income areas in Champaign, Urbana. In this I learned that there are real people behind these “titles” in our city that really are trying along with Metanoia Center to make a different for low income families and low income areas.

4. Metanoia Center along with the City of Champaign are working together to rebuild this area that consists now of many boarded up homes and families with homes in which need major repairs to be deemed safe for them and their children. The plan has already been developed and with all the other forces and grants in due time this area may still house some of the same families but, its appearance won’t tell you that on first sight. The Bristol housing development will be one of the biggest make overs Champaign, Urbana has witnessed yet.

5. I feel this assignment is great to get individuals out to see what services, agencies, and advocates for low income/disadvantaged families are doing to really provide some assistance. It is also a good method of coming up with ideas and suggestions for how we as upcoming FCS professionals can incorporate our new findings and education to aide in future goals to minimize the high levels of under privileged families.