DSC supports people in living a rich and meaningful life.
The C-U Oktoberfest is a fall celebration of music, beer, and food held in downtown Champaign. Patterned after the annual festival in Bavaria, the C-U Oktoberfest features live music from bands playing festive polkas, waltzes, and traditional German music...mixed in with plenty of your favorite songs. Beer from local brewers and a selection of German beers will be served. Party-goers are encouraged to get in the spirit by wearing their best dirndl or lederhosen (or come as they are) and dance the night away!
Oktoberfest is happening this year on October 5th from 3:00 pm - Midnight. There will be a children's area from 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm, and live music, food, and drinks all night! CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION about the event, and CLICK HERE TO RESERVE A TABLE!
NEW THIS YEAR! Take a chance to win a trip to the 2020 Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany (or $4500 in cash - you choose)! Raffle tickets are $5 or five for $20 (Need not be present to win). On sale now! CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE RAFFLE TICKETS.
Prost!
DSP (Direct Support Professional) Recognition-What Does Your DSP Mean to You?
Throughout the month of September, we will be recognizing Direct Support Professionals (DSP) and their vital role to DSC and the people who choose DSC services.
Meet Jennifer!
Jennifer is a Program Writer in the CDS (Community Day Services) Program at DSC. She’s been with DSC for six years and worked in the field for nine years, beginning her career at the ARC of Iroquois County. When Jennifer worked retail, employees of the ARC of Iroquois County would stop in with the people who received their services and they caught Jennifer’s attention. “They seemed to be having so much fun and I noticed how they were able to encourage one woman with Down syndrome when she was having a challenging day and I could see myself working there,” said Jennifer. She later relocated to Champaign, with her now husband. As she prepared to move, her colleagues encouraged her to apply at DSC.
As a Program Writer, Jennifer and other DSC employees in the role provide structure around individual goals and maintain records and data in regards to each person’s goals and what each person wants to learn. She also works one-on-one individually a few days a week when people are working on job skill tasks, such as the snack cart. If you see visual aids around DSC, it’s also likely that they were created by a Program Writer. Jennifer for example, is in the process of hand-typing a screenplay for someone on a braille typewriter, so that the person who receives services from DSC can have her work typed out, as desired.
“I really appreciate how DSC focuses on people. I love that I get to work with a bunch of great people at my job and we have a good time. I feel like if you’re not having fun, you’re probably not doing the job right. One of my favorite times at DSC was right around the 4th of July. We were having a water fight with water toys and a person who receives services soaked me with a water gun and thought it was hilarious. I loved that because to me when a person is able to joke around with me, it means we’ve established a sense of trust and rapport. Building rapport is something I focus on a lot. The hard part is when people are struggling and you’re supporting them while getting through that down day, but then it’s great when you also get to be a part of progress when people make improvements.”
Outside of DSC, Jennifer is an animal lover. She has four cats and two dogs. She does art and she’s also close with her family. We’re also proud that she’s been a volunteer at C-U Oktoberfest, by serving in our kid’s area, as the face painter. A fun fact about Jennifer, she was born in Cuba…Cuba, IL that is. She is a self-described nerd, meaning that she geeks out on Dungeons & Dragons and loves board games. Thanks, Jennifer for the great work that you do!
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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