DSC supports people in living a rich and meaningful life.
Meet Garrett, a tender-hearted and fun-loving, four-year old who loves playing outdoors, the water, is musically-inclined and adores his grandparents. Garrett was born in August 2015. After experiencing a difficult season of struggling with infertility and miscarriages, becoming pregnant with Garrett was a miracle for us.
Though monitored throughout my pregnancy, I required an emergency C-section at 36-weeks due to preeclampsia. Garrett was born with Intrauterine Growth Restriction, a true knot in his cord and the cord was wrapped around his neck. Despite the early challenges we faced, as new parents, we were overjoyed as we welcomed little Garrett Hayn into the world. Garrett spent his first 13 days in the NICU and required tube feedings. When Garrett was able to come home, it was a dream come true and together, we were able to begin living life as a family of three.
To read more about Garrett and his family, please visit our Tree of Hope page.
Current Jackpot: $6,219
DSC has officially launched the Queen of Hearts Raffle! Be sure to stop by Esquire Lounge to try your luck. For more information such as the current board and an update on the weekly drawing total, please visit our Queen of Hearts Page.
Meet Ania!
In November, Ania celebrated her 12th anniversary with DSC. Ania is the CDS (Community Day Services) Coordinator and she has worked in CDS throughout her tenure at the agency, though when she began her career here, the program was called DT (Day Training).
Prior to joining DSC, Ania worked as a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant), though she described some similarities, such as getting to know people well, the two jobs are largely different. Indirect support work, Ania told us that you get to know people on an intimate level, but you have fewer people on your caseload and have more time to spend with each person. Direct Support is person-centered, meaning that it is all about supporting them in what they would like to do.
“I talk to the people here, just like anyone else and try to get to know them,” said Ania. “One person comes in my office and sits down and I might say, ‘Hey friend,’ and he responds, ‘Hey friend’ now when sees me. I would tease another person here and use humor and jokingly ask him, ‘What do you want?’ when he came in my office and just like we find that funny, he thought it was funny too. That’s how I get to know the people we support.”
Ania also serves on the Cultural Competence Committee here at DSC. “One of the things I love the most about the work I do here is that I’ve been able to help steer cultural conversations and connections. There was one occasion where we were trying to get everyone to stop calling people ‘baby’ because it wasn’t appropriate, but one of the African-American men didn’t want to stop saying it. I was able to help my co-workers and management here understand that when an African-American man or woman calls you ‘baby’ or ‘love,’ it’s not considered inappropriate, or being said with sexual undertones. It’s part of our culture. I also love cooking greens and cornbread for people during Black History Month. People tell me they remember eating it at home when they were growing up and that feels good to be able to provide that for them here at DSC.”
Ania enjoys joking around with both her co-workers and the people who receive support from DSC. When you get to know people, you see they have a sense of humor, just like anyone else. We also have tough days sometimes and when you are able to encourage someone to make it through and see progress on a difficult day, that’s good too. Those are the best bonding moments.”
Ania has seen many changes at DSC over the twelve years that she’s been at DSC. “I’ve always liked how DSC has treated people good. We have time to talk to people here and really provide care here and that’s why I do what I do here.”
She keeps a busy scheduled outside of DSC. Ania works a second job at Schnuck’s and she has four children, two boys and two girls. Two of them are grown and two are still at home. When she’s not working, you’re likely to find her watching one of their football or basketball games at Centennial High School. She is also married and most of us know already that she loves to cook.
Thank you to everyone that came out and made this year's Oktoberfest a huge success! Between the wonderful music, Bavarian themed food, delicious beer, and fun children's activities, we hope all party-goers had a wonderful time! So many volunteer hours and effort went into making this event happen, we want to thank everyone involved. We are excited about the fun we had and are already looking forward to next year! If you have comments or suggestions, please share them by contacting Evan Burie, Special Events & Marketing Coordinator, at eburie@dsc-illinois.org. Until next year, PROST!
CONGRATS to Barb Hastings for winning the first ever Oktoberfest Raffle! After receiving the call, Barb chose to take the $4,500 CASH option. Congratulations Barb!
Click below to enjoy the latest issue of the DSC Community News newsletter!
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 Leslie Olson, Employment First/LEAP Coordinator at 356-9176 or lolson@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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