Council

UNITY Community Center Advisory Council members serve in an supportive, advisory role to the UCCAC staff as it provides educational programming for youth ages 5-18 years of age, and community resources for adults with limited resources.

The Council cooperates with University of Illinois Extension Staff/UCCAC Staff in planning, promoting, developing, implementing, evaluating and financing UNITY Community Center's afterschool program and other outreach efforts, which are designed to meet the needs, interests, and resources of the local community. Council members serve as a formal liaison between the public and UNITY. Time commitment is 3 years with an opportunity to serve a second two-year term.

The UNITY Community Center Advisory Council may have at any one time up to 15 volunteers representing the many partners and collaborations that are a part of ensuring the success of UNITY Community Center. Nominees are identified locally and include a diverse group of individuals who respect the mission of UNITY and who are interested in its programs in this community. A sub-committee of the UCCAC accepts and reviews nominations and then offers a recommendation for appointment to the UNITY Advisory Council.

Council sub-committees address specific challenges and help to plan for the future. Individuals interested in UNITY programs may serve on a committee without serving on the Extension Council.

UNITY Advisory Council meetings are held monthly from 5-6:00 PM at the UNITY Community Center.

Present Council Members:

David Im (Chair) - State Farm

Dayna Brown - Unit #5 School District, Assistant to the Superintendent

Tabitha Harding - UNITY parent representative

Cliff Gillespie - KAPPA, Inc.

Officer Amanda Street - Normal Police Department

Essie Maxwell - State Farm

Paula Reich - Heartland Community Church

Marylynn Meredith - Prairieland Elementary

Dr. Venus Evans Winters - ISU College of Education

Gardenia Harris - ISU School Of Social Work

John Davenport - ISU

Brian Schaumburg - past member, University of IL Extension Council

Mike Minton (Secretary) - TRIO of ISU

OTHER SUPPORTERS

Steve Westerdahl - Director of Community Development/Town of Normal

Don Meyer - County Director, University of Illinois Extension–McLean Co.

Tabitha Major - Site Coordinator, UNITY Community Center

Sandy McGhee - UI Educator - 4-H Youth Development, UNITY Supervisor

PAST UNITY Advisory Council Members:

Gina Brady - UNITY parent representative

Charlotte Talkington - University of Illinois Master Gardeners, McLean County

Sharmi Shah - State Farm

John Elliott - State Farm, KAPPA

Officer Brian Williams - Normal Police Department

Kurt Swearingen - Unit #5 School District

Officer Craig Frothingham - Normal Police Department

Helen Leake - U of I Extension Master Gardener

Dr. Jim Sikora - IWU

Mariellen Griffith - U of I Extension Council

LaConda Lewis - UNITY Parent Representative

Alex Cardona - State Farm

Officer Bob Draegon - Normal Police Department