About

C-U at Home engages and mobilizes our community to house and support the most vulnerable homeless on their journey of healing and restoration.

This organization is the Champaign-Urbana chapter of a national campaign called 100,000 Homes. The 100,000 Homes Campaign, founded by Common Ground, brings together change agents from across the country to find homes for 100,000 of the most vulnerable and long-term homeless individuals and families by July 2014. It is designed to fundamentally alter our response to chronic homelessness by giving communities concrete tools and connecting  the change agents with one another so no one has to innovate alone.

One of the main mechanisms C-U at Home seeks to use is the local church. We are seeking church partners who will commit to at least one year of being the life-line for one of these most vulnerable homeless individuals, couples, or families. Church partners will provide housing, advocates, a support network, and most importantly the LOVE needed for healing and healthy independence.

What Makes Us Different

You may already be familiar with the biennial Point-in-Time survey, mandated by H.U.D., that was conducted in January of 2011. The goal of this survey is to determine, in one 24-hour period, everyone in Champaign County who is homeless, chronically homeless or precariously housed. These are very important statistics to acquire, but they fall short of determining who the most vulnerable homeless are. That’s where the 100,000 Homes survey comes into play.

C-U at Home administered a very detailed vulnerability index survey in Champaign County, October 24-26, 2011. The goal of this survey was very specifically to determine who, among the homeless population, is most at risk of dying if their housing circumstances do not change. The sobering results of this survey revealed just over 100 people in Champaign County who fall into the 'most vulnerable' category. It's our mission to facilitate the housing and support of these who are most at risk. 

One of the main ways we hope to accomplish housing those most in need is via local churches. Churches have the necessary resources right within their congregation:  housing, finances, advocates, support network. About 80 years ago our country decided to put the government in charge of assisting those most in need. You can see today where that has gotten us. According to scripture, part of the mandate for the church is to care for the widows, the orphans and the poor. Please step out in faith and join us today by becoming a church partner.  

C-U at Home also seeks to foster cooperation between government, nonprofits, housing agencies and healthcare providers. We have more than enough resources here in Champaign-Urbana to help those most in need. It’s just a matter of convincing and coordinating efforts. 

Selection of Board of Directors

C-U at Home has moved one step closer to establishment as a 501(c)(3) organization, with the selection of a Board of Directors. Also, Melany Jackson, who had been serving as Project Coordinator for the last year, was appointed as the Executive Director!

C-U at Home Board of Directors

John Smith, University of Illinois - President

Phil McGarvey, Carle Foundation Hospital - Vice President

Eric Kraft, Kraft Homes - Secretary

Michelle Grindley, Human Kinetics Publishing - Treasurer

Mike Kessel, Edward Jones Investments