Wishbone & CORE 3 Partner to do a Supply Drive
From now until 11/15 Core 3 is doing a supply drive to help Wishbone.  Often people don’t care to donate the necessities to make the office run from day to day.  Paper towels, bleach, and more are constantly used for cleaning!  Please stop by Core 3 or the Humane Society to donate.  Core 3’s supply box will be out until 11/15.  Located at 1707 E Hamilton Road, Suite 1A.  Open Monday - Friday 8am-6pm.  Every dollar counts!  $4 for paper towels will go a long way!  Contact Tara Desmond at tdesmond@core3pm.com or 309-808-2125 x301 for more details or click here for full supply list.
 
A HALLOWEEN CANDY GIVE-AWAY
Sponsored by a grant to Bradley Ross Jackson From Hershey.
B. E. KIND-“B”RADLEY “E”NCOURAGES KINDNESS PRESENTS…
A HALLOWEEN CANDY GIVE-AWAY
Saturday, October 31^st
3:00 P.M.-4:30 P.M.
 
The Bloomington Housing Authority Holton Homes’ Parking Lot area.
406 N. Hinshaw
 
HAPPY TRICK OR TREATIN’! REMEMBER TO B.E.
KIND…EVEN ON HALLOWEEN!

McLean County Triage Center
The McLean County Triage Center is a walk-in option for those individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis that is not life threatening.   It is a comfortable, safe space that offers an alternative to hospital emergency rooms or entry into the justice system when a caring professional and linkage to community resources are needed instead. Triage strives to help individuals resolve crises without more intensive intervention.  Trained peer counselors with personal experience are also on staff to aid in crisis intervention, support and mentoring.
 
Triage is open from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. to individuals over the age of 18 on an as-needed walk-in basis.  Triage is located at the Southwest corner of the 1^st floor of 200 W. Front Street in Bloomington.  As all services are in-person only, Triage does not have a publicly available phone number.  More information can be found at:  https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/1407/Triage-Center

PATH Crisis Center
All resource seminars have been canceled for the remainder of 2020 due to COVID-19. If you have already registered for a resource seminar this year, you can save a spot for or a future seminar or contact the Database Department for more information (309) 828-1022.
 
Master of Social Work (MSW) at ISU

• Applications for fall 2021 enrollment are being accepted until March 1
• Two areas of specialization: Child & Family Practice or School Social Work
• Applications require:
  • Resume
  • 2 professional letters of reference
  • Statement of interest
  • Transcripts
• Visit the School of Social Work website to learn more about the program and begin an application
• For questions or more information, contact Amy Dennison at asdenni@ilstu.edu or (309) 438-5005

Eastview's Food Pantry
Last day serving at Saint Vincent DePaul was Wednesday, September 16th.
 
New locations:
Tuesdays
1:00-2:30 pm and 6:00-7:30 pm
Eastview Christian Church-Normal Campus, 1500 Airport Rd, Normal 
 
Wednesdays
10:00-11:30 am and 6:00-7:30 pm 
Eastview Christian Church-Bloomington Campus
401 Union St, Bloomington 
 
Any questions, call 309-451-5000.
  
Recovery Oriented Systems of Care (ROSC) Events:
“Collaborating to Build and Empower Communities of Recovery”
 
Improving health, wellness, and recovery for individuals and families, with or at risk of substance use/mental health afflictions, to promote healthy and safe communities.

The ROSC’s mission is to organize addiction and/or co-occurring disorders treatment that involve the community. ROSC also seeks to de-stigmatize addiction and co-occurring disorders. If the community agrees that addiction is a problem, hopefully, the community as a whole (not just the recovery community) is willing to be part of the solution.
 
Join us for the ROSC Council Meetings. They are open to all members of the community and on the third Tuesday of the month: 3:30-4:30 https://zoom.us/j/3729798714
  
ROSC Sub-Committees
 The ROSC sub-committees allow ROSC members to take more ownership and bring us closer to one of ultimate goals of becoming a RCO (Recovery Community Organization) in McLean County. These groups also serve an easy way for ROSC newcomers to become involved or for those unable to normally attend the council meetings to help serve the ROSC.
 
Behavioral Health & Wellness – Mondays at 11:00 am. Please reach out to Angi Chasensky: acchasensky@chestnut.org to become involved.
Spirituality – Fridays at 10am. Please reach out to Dan Sokulski: dasokulski@chestnut.org to become involved.

Sober Recreation – Wednesdays at 2pm. Please reach out to Angi Chasensky: acchasensky@chestnut.org or Dan Sokulski: dasokulski@chestnut.org to become involved.


Mid Central Community Action- MCCA 
For LIHEAP applications, please contact Cassie at 309-834-9203 or Fini at 309-834-9200.
 
For essential needs and resources, please contact Laura at 309-834-9227 or Jennifer at 309-834-9226.
 
Our Countering Domestic Violence services for emergency shelter, Orders of Protection, counseling, and support can be accessed through our 24-hour hotline at 309-827-7070.
 
Our Financial Opportunity Center services for employment coaching, financial coaching, housing counseling, and support can be accessed by contacting Kathy at 309-834-9242.
 
We are not accepting guests at Mayors Manor, Bloomington Corporate office, or Pontiac Satellite office at this time.
 
You can also go to the below site for assistance

Help Illinois Families - Illinois.gov
We are present for and with our community while we take measures for the health and safety of our staff.
 

Soroptimist International Midwestern Region Virginia M. Wagner Educational Award
Are you a woman living in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio or Wisconsin and seeking a baccalaureate or higher degree?
 
The Virginia M. Wagner Educational Award was designed to help women achieve their higher education goals.
 

• Candidates are judged on the following criteria:
• Effort toward education
• Scholarship
• Extra-curricular activities
• Financial need
• General impression

 
For information about applying for the Virginia M. Wagner
Educational Award, please contact:

• Soroptimist International of Bloomington-Normal
• Name - Sandra Groves
• Email - slittle@ilstu.edu
• Phone  - 309-452-4956
• Club Application Deadline: January 15, 2021
• Amount of Club Award $1000, $750, & $500

Homes of Hope
Homes of Hope is hosting their 12th Annual Draw Down event on Sunday, November 15th at 3pm. Due of COVID, it will be virtual this year. Tickets are $100 and on sale now. When you purchase a ticket, you will receive a $10 Pheasant Lanes gift card as well as a coupon to the Children’s Discovery Museum. After you purchase your ticket, coupons and Zoom information will mailed to your home. 
 
IF you wish to go to a physical location, we have you covered. We will be at Pheasant Lanes (804 N Hershey Rd in Bloomington) and BloNo Pizza (1304 Cross Creek Dr. in Normal.) Each location will have a signature drink made special for this event. Drinks and food are not included in this year’s ticket price since we won’t be having our traditional Draw Down experience.
 
A Draw Down event is a reverse raffle giving you the change to win CASH PRIZES throughout the event. The GRAND PRIZE is $2,000. Additionally, we have gathered gift cards from our wonderful community to give away affording you a greater chance to win something.  The BONUS is that your money helps to support a wonderful cause. You will be contributing to the health and wellness of adults who have intellectual disabilities right here in Bloomington-Normal.
 
LINKS to buy your ticket and additional information:
DRAW DOWN TICKET-http://homesofhopeinc.org/forms/DD%20ticket.pdf 

• Fill out and mail in with check
• We are also raffling off a Bed & Breakfast (in Normal) which is included on the ticket. You do not have to buy a $100 Draw Down Ticket to purchase a $20 B & B raffle ticket. Information about this is located on our Facebook page https://fb.watch/1mQfO4rDYx/

 
FLYER LINK-http://homesofhopeinc.org/forms/Flyer%20insert%20for%20virtual%20ticket.pdf
 
FAQs-http://homesofhopeinc.org/forms/FAQs%20DD%202020.pdf

SHOUT OUT to our 2020 sponsors: O’Brien Mitsubishi, Busey, Clemens, Melanie Walker, Coldwell Banker, Pheasant Lanes, and Core 3 Property.
 
You can mail your check to:
Homes of Hope
705 E Lincoln St., Suite 313
Normal, IL 61761
OR
Purchase online at homesofhopeinc.org under donate tab
OR
You can make a donation if you don’t wish to be in the raffle.
 
For questions, call the office at 309-862-0607 or email Holly at hphillips@homesofhopeinc.org
 
Crossroads Fair Trade Goods & Gifts-Giving Thanks, Giving Back
Recognizing that 2020 has been a challenging year for non-profit organizations, Crossroads would like to thank them for all they do in our community to make it a more fair and just place for all.  We are offering to host shopping events in our store during or outside of store hours or online at any time during the year.  We will return 15% of your pre-tax sales to your organization.  Our volunteer-run organization has been in the community for 32 years and has a strong commitment to help others improve their life circumstances.  We will work with you to publicize your event and ensure it is as successful as possible.   Contact Kathy Stoyak at srayak82@gmail.com for more information. 

HOME SWEET HOME MINISTRIES – NIGHT IN A CAR 2021 (NIAC 21)
Home Sweet Home Ministries is charging full speed ahead with our largest fundraising event and homelessness simulation called Night In A Car on Friday, February 5^th, 2021. It is a great way to experience the realities of many who are forced to live out of their car through Bloomington’s harsh winters. Night in a Car has set the fund-raising goal at $100,000.  This will help HSHM continue their care for their residents and the surrounding community. 
 
You can choose to “Drive-In” and spend the night at Trinity Lutheran Church in their parking lot or you can “Zoom-In” and join us online from the comfort of your own driveway. Challenge yourself, your family, and friends to sign up for this unique experience today! For more information, simply visit nightinacar.org.  There you will see how you or your organization can support one of our teams, sponsor the event, or participate as a team yourself.  For questions contact Todd Keller at tkeller@hshministries.org. Thank you.
  
VIRTUAL AUCTION EVENT “CHAIRS 4 CHANGE” TO SUPPORT LOCAL FAMILIES
To benefit Recycling Furniture for Families & Habitat McLean County
 
BLOOMINGTON, Illinois (October 9, 2020) — Recycling Furniture for Families (RF4F) is having their annual Chairs 4 Change Auction on Friday, November 6 from 7-8:30 p.m. as a virtual event this year.
 
This year, RF4F is co-hosting the Chairs 4 Change event with Habitat for Humanity of McLean County (HMC) with a collective goal of raising $25,000. Both local nonprofits serve low-income families across McLean County with the aim of fostering stability in the home.
 
RF4F Executive Director Frank Downes explains, “This event is such a fun, unique way to get the community involved. It also provides crucial funds we depend on to serve families in need. We are very proud and honored to announce our new Chairs 4 Change partner this year. Habitat McLean County does important work building homes with families who need a helping hand.”
 
Chairs 4 Change is a virtual auction of chairs painted and decorated by community members. RF4F and have recruited over 100 local artists, crafty individuals, and families to transform pre-owned chairs into pieces of functional art. A new partner in this year’s event is the Children’s Discovery Museum. The project for their summer Art Camps was to paint or decorate a chair, producing many amazing chairs created by inspiring young artists.
 
You can register for the event and view the auction catalog at https://events.readysetauction.com/habitatforhumanitymcleancounty/chairs4change   
 
All proceeds from the event will be shared equally between these two organizations and will help support their work to help those in need in McLean County. We look forward to your participation at this event!
 
Visit our websites at: https://rf4f.org/       https://habitatmclean.org/  

 

Looking to Volunteer.  Faith in Action is seeking new volunteers.
Our main focus is to transport seniors to medical appointments.  You choose how much, how little and how often you wish to volunteer! There are a wide variety of volunteer opportunities available.
Medical Transportation:  Give rides to and from doctor’s appointments
Grocery Shopping:  Assist seniors with their grocery shopping once or twice a month. 
Friendly Visits/Phone Calls:  A unique opportunity, making weekly or bi-weekly phone calls or visits to a senior is a rewarding way to give back and combat social isolation.
Light Home Maintenance: Help with small maintenance jobs.  During the fall we need volunteers to help rake leaves.
Transportation Desk:  an office setting.  Transportation Desk volunteers answer the phone, schedule rides for our care receivers, make calls, and help with various tasks in the office.
Assessment Volunteer:  Perfect for someone with a background in Nursing / Healthcare / Social Work.  Assess seniors, in their home, before they begin to receive FIA’s services.
There is no minimum time commitment to volunteer with Faith in Action.  We offer flexible, rewarding ways to help seniors in our community stay active, independent, and in their own homes.
Contact Mary Idleman    309-827-7780
mary@bnfia.org  visit our website at bnfia.org
 
Prairie State Legal Services’ Bloomington Office Needs Fair Housing Testers
Are you interested in helping stop housing discrimination in our community? The Bloomington office of Prairie State Legal Services is looking for fair housing testers.
How does it work?

• Fair housing testing is crucial to uncovering illegal housing discrimination based on race, sex, religion, disability or other protected characteristics.
• Fair housing testers are trained to pose as renters or buyers. They meet with housing providers and record their interactions in detailed reports.
• Our staff review those reports for evidence of illegal housing discrimination.

You will receive:

• A stipend and travel reimbursement each time you help with a test
• Fair housing training
• The knowledge that you are helping members of your community

You will need:

• A government issued ID
• To have the authorization to work in the United States
• Access to transportation
• Access to a computer

You cannot have:

• Prior felony convictions or convictions of crimes involving fraud or perjury
• An active real estate license

If you are interested in becoming a tester or have any questions, please contact Jennifer Cuevas, Fair Housing Testing and Outreach Coordinator, jcuevas@pslegal.org or 815-668-4412. If you have questions about Prairie State Legal Services’ Fair Housing Project to assist residents of Bloomington and Normal who have experienced housing discrimination, please contact Staff Attorney Emily Petri at epetri@pslegal.org or 309-433-0066. 
 

Employment Opportunities

---

Mid Central Community Action
Mid Central Community Action is looking to fill the following position:

•  Full Time 2^nd Shift Residential Advocate for our Countering Domestic Violence program

Temp Positions through CareerLink to work at MCCA

•  Part Time Data Specialist
• Part Time Custodian

Visit our website to view the job descriptions and to apply at www.mccainc.org.
 
Mid Central Community Action is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer
 
Home Sweet Home Ministries
HSHM is currently seeking candidates for the following position:

• Director of Business Operations

The Director of Business Operations is responsible for assigned Human Resource functions and oversees the business infrastructures of Home Sweet Home Ministries.  Human Resources duties include, but are not limited to employment; communication; personnel policies; employee relations; occupational health and safety; training coordination and records maintenance. Infrastructures include building and grounds, administrative assistance, computer technology, phone system, and fleet maintenance.
For more information, please visit https://hshministries.org/connect/employment.

Marcfirst - Direct Support Professional Job Opportunities
Marcfirst is hiring for Direct Support Professionals, to provide a variety of support to individuals with developmental disabilities. Please visit www.marcfirst.org or call 309-451-8888 for more information.
 
Marcfirst – Pediatric Therapy Job Opportunities
Marcfirst is hiring for Pediatric Therapy Developmental Therapists, Pediatric and Family Counselors, Pediatric Physical and Occupational Therapists, and Pediatric Speech Language Pathologists, to provide a variety of support to children with delays or developmental disabilities and their families. Please visit www.marcfirst.org or call 309-451-8888 for more information.

Prairie State Legal Services
Prairie State Legal Services is excited to offer assistance to McLean County residents with Criminal Records Relief to help them find employment.  Prairie State Legal Services can advise eligible clients on expunging/sealing their criminal records and can assist clients with filing the necessary petitions.  Questions about this project? Contact us at 309-433-0061.
 
Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS)
The Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) assists people with disabilities in preparing for, finding, and maintaining quality employment that pays a living wage and offers opportunities for advancement. Many people with disabilities of working age (16-64) are eligible for VR services. To be eligible an individual must have a significant physical or mental impairment that makes it difficult to go to work. Our staff work closely with employers, community partners, educators and service providers offering individualized placement services that bring employers and qualified employees together.  DRS vocational program provides individual assessment, evaluation, career guidance & counseling, financial support for training including certification programs & academic degree programs for all state supported colleges and universities.  Assistive technology evaluations & equipment can also be provided to those individuals who require such supports for employment or training programs. In addition, DRS can provide FREE direct job placement and follow-up services, consultation with the DRS Work Incentive Planning and Assistance Program to help people who receive SSDI/SSI benefits understand how working will affect their benefits and Supported Employment Program (SEP) services for eligible people.  Other specialized vocational rehabilitation services for people: Blind or visually impaired, Deaf or hard of hearing, Hispanic or Latino with disabilities.  Please contact DRS at toll free- (800) 843-6154 to find a local office and see how DRS can help you today!
 
East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging (ECIAAA)
East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging is a fast, multi-faceted work environment. We are seeking applicants to fill this important position.
 
Be a part of the Area Agency on Aging team and receive competitive pay, excellent benefits, insurance, vacation, holidays, retirement, etc., and the satisfaction of helping older persons.
 
Service Compliance Coordinator
As a key person in the management of grant funded services, accuracy, time management, efficient and effective reporting, and critical thinking are essential. The position is responsible for monitoring, compiling information, reporting, grant reviews, conducting administrative reviews, technical assistance and interpretation of policies relative to the rules and regulations governing federally funded programs.
 
Competencies: Experience in Microsoft Outlook. Excellent Problem Solving/Analysis, Critical Evaluation, Strategic Thinking, Ethical Conduct, Communication, Performance Management, Time Management, Organization Skills, Interpersonal Skills, and Team Player.
 
Requirements: 4 Year College/University Degree in a Human Services field, Valid Driver’s License, Availability to Travel Days/Evenings, Passage of Background Check, 3 years’ experience of grant writing or grants management and community-based program
 
Compensation commensurate with experience and qualifications.
ECIAAA is an Equal Opportunity Employers.
Job Type: Full-time
Salary: $38,500.00 to $45,000.00 /year
 
Send resume and cover letter to humanresources@eciaaa.org
 

---

---

Holiday Edition PATH-O-GRAM Submission Format:
Please follow these guidelines when sending your submission:

Format of Submission:

• Ariel Font, Size 12.
• Bolded and underlined title (typically agency name/event name).
• Short paragraph containing essential information such as description, dates, times, addresses, and who to contact for more information

 
Other Information Needed:
 

• Which Category you would like your listing under? ( Assistance for individuals and families, or  Volunteers and Donations needed)

Regular PATH-O-GRAM Submission Format:
Please follow these guidelines when sending your submission:

Format of Submission:

• Ariel Font, Size 12.
• Bolded and underlined title (typically agency name/event name).
• Short paragraph containing essential information such as description, dates, times, addresses, and who to contact for more information.

 
Other Information Needed:

• Which category you would like your listing to be under (Covid-19, Announcements, Support Groups, Conferences and Workshops, Grant & Scholarship Opportunities, Fundraising Opportunities, Volunteer Opportunities, or Employment Opportunities)
• How long you would like your listing in the PATH-O-GRAM. Submissions in the POG will only be posted once, unless otherwise stated or resubmitted.

 
NOTE: Because submissions should be able to be copied and pasted in the above format, flyers will not be a sufficient POG submission.