DSC supports people in living a rich and meaningful life.
Mid-Year Appeal
In our daily lives, we sometimes take our independence for granted. Celebrating the anniversary of our nation’s Independence Day reminds us of how important freedom and independence are for each of us. At DSC our mission is a daily reminder of the importance and value of independence as we support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to reach their personal and employment goals and dreams.
DSC serves approximately 1,100 children and adults in our community, providing each person with individualized services and supports tailored to their unique talents. With these personalized services and supports, people are able to achieve independence…just like Darren.
Darren has been receiving services at DSC since 2005. Since that time, he had been working with DSC’s Case Management Program, to prepare for transitioning out of high school. In 2007, Darren began working at one of DSC’s internal worksites and also enjoyed activities, such as The Prompting Theater. Darren was happy with his job, but employees at DSC knew he could be successful working in the community and offered him an opportunity to participate in the DSC Job Club.
Click Here to continue reading Darren's story
C-U in the Prairibbean is just around the corner! The Eastern Illinois Parrot Head Club (EIPHC) is hosting their 15th annual fundraising event on August 3, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. in Downtown Champaign, in the parking lot at the corner of Washington and Neil.
The event will showcase Jake and Jackson as the opening act, followed by The Tons O' Fun Band, and The Boat Drunks will finish the evening of great local music!
As always, there will be a large silent auction featuring many great items! This year's event is also featuring a $2,500 CASH raffle!
Cash Raffle and Event tickets have money saving coupons on the back including Bunny's, Old Time Meat & Deli Shoppe, Reynold's Towing, Esquire Lounge, Neil Street Blues, Old Orchard Lanes & Links, Country Squire Cleaners, El Toro, DP Dough, and Hickory River Smokehouse! It pays to play!
Event tickets, sponsored by Enterprise, are $10 each. Raffle tickets, sponsored by First State Bank, are $5 each or five for $20. Both tickets are available for purchase by clicking the links below.
This month we’ll be learning more about the DSC Residential Program. DSC has a wide offering of residential options around Champaign County that are tailored to meet individual choice and needs.
This week we’re featuring employee, Rose Wells who has been working in residential services for eight years, including her time at DSC and another organization. After working in a manufacturing setting for nine years, she decided to pursue more meaningful work, when she had the opportunity. Rose grew up with a sister who had disabilities and thought it was a career she might enjoy. “I loved it. It was so rewarding. I’m actually old enough to retire, but I’m not ready to quit working yet,” said Rose.
As a House Manager, Rose, supports staff in whatever ways might be needed. She runs programs and provides support for the people who receive DSC services. “We may assist socially, or with finances and shopping. As much as possible, we offer support and try not to do it for them. I think that’s really important. We don’t want them to get overwhelmed, but they learn best when they are able to do things for themselves. People often underestimate how much they are able to do.” Rose said she also spends time communicating with parents and guardians, as well as making sure that the house is managed as it should be. “It needs to be clean and stocked with groceries,” she said.
“I think it helped me to have a sister with disabilities. I watched my mom struggle with putting her in a group home, but then my sister loved it. She learned to do things we wouldn’t ever let her do when she lived at home.” Rose also explained that a lot has changed since she and her sister were growing up. “Back then, the homes were more like institutions, with more residents. Today, at the DSC home where I work, we have six residents. They each have their own room and it’s a home comparable to something you or I would live in.”
If you’re considering a career at DSC, Rose gave us a snapshot of her most successful staff members: “Employees that fit the DSC culture talk to those who receive our services like they would their neighbor, or a friend. They take pride in what they do, they’re teachable and have a strong work ethic.”
C-U Oktoberfest is already in the making for this year, and we would be sad if you didn't have it on your calendar. Whether it's dirndls and lederhosen, or Bavarian pretzels and beer, we've got you covered! This year the date is October 5th, 2019!
Be on the lookout in the future for more information, but for now, Prost!
Click below to enjoy the latest issue of the DSC Community News newsletter!
Safety Care for Families is a workshop that is designed to provide family members with a basic set of prevention skills for working with individuals who have developmental differences and exhibit challenging behaviors. For more information, please click the link below.
DSC and Community Choices are collaborating through the creation of LEAP (Leaders Employing All People) to advance the Employment First initiative.
Rockwell Automation was one of our first LEAP trained businesses, and when asked why they decided to become LEAP trained, Ms.Marty Miner, Senior Human Resource Representative, shared, “It’s just the right thing to do.” In working to make Champaign County an even more disability inclusive community, we are offering businesses to receive this training through the hiring, or interest in hiring, people with disabilities. For more information about LEAP contact Jamika Smith Employment First/LEAP Coordinator at 356-9176 or jsmith@dsc-illinois.org.
Congratulations to Riggs Brewery for becoming LEAP certified!
LEAP stands for Leaders in Employing All People and is funded by the Champaign County Developmental Disabilities Board. LEAP is a collaborative effort between DSC and Community Choices. This program is designed to offer a one-hour individual or group training for Champaign County businesses that offers education on becoming a disability-inclusive business. This training helps to increase the pool of hiring candidates, improve morale among existing staff, and sets the bar for other businesses in the community. If you’d like more information, contact DSC Employment First/LEAP Coordinator, Jamika Smith at jsmith@dsc-illinois.org or 217-356-9176.
Well we have just the thing for you! DSC Business Operations center recycles all kinds of cardboard and paper - including magazines, catalogs, office paper, etc. - as part of our effort to keep the environment clean and financially support DSC's programs. (We do not accept books at this time).
You can bring your recyclable paper to DSC’s Business Operations at 3102 W Clark Rd in Champaign, 8am—4pm, M-F. From Duncan, turn west onto Clark Rd (just north of Springfield). Turn right to go behind DSC’s Business Operations facility to drop off your items at the back loading dock door.
Our staff strives to provide quality supports and services to consumers, their families, and fellow employees each and every day and they deserved to be recognized for their exemplary work!
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