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]]>Jennifer Buoy is a dedicated volunteer at PACE and member of Community Choices, who also serves as her Self-Direction Assistant (SDA) under the HCBS Medicaid Waiver. When Jen decided to hire her own Personal Support Workers (PSWs), she brought our two organizations together to assist. In a joint meeting with Jen, staff from PACE’s PSW program and Community Choices’ Self-Direction Assistance program discussed Jen’s requirements and the support available through PSWs. PACE helped identify PSW candidates, while Community Choices is assisting with onboarding them into the HCBS Medicaid Waiver system and providing ongoing SDA support. Jen’s experience highlights how PACE can partner with other organizations to strengthen support for consumers. We look forward to continuing collaboration with Community Choices and building similar partnerships with other agencies and consumers in hiring PSWs under the HCBS Medicaid Waiver.
Meeting Urgent Needs Through Community Support
Elaine and her family were referred to PACE from CRIS Healthy Aging of Vermilion County for assistance obtaining standing fans to keep her home cool as she was living without functioning air conditioning. Elaine had reached out to other community resources with no success. Due to a medical disability she was in need of a way to keep cool during the latest heatwaves . Using Pull for Access, our pop tab fund, PACE was able to purchase 2 standing fans from Walmart for the consumer and hand deliver them to her. Elaine and her family are thankful for PACE’s assistance during their time of need when they had nowhere else to turn.
Breaking the Silence:
How One Tablet Changed Everything
As a Deaf individual with a large family, she often felt a lack of
communication while having conversations with her children and other
family members. The struggle was even greater during frequent doctor
visits, where limited interpreter availability in our area left her feeling
frustrated and isolated.
That changed when a PACE staff member introduced her to a
communication tablet. With our help, the consumer applied for and
received the free device through ITAC. Suddenly, she could connect
directly with her children, relatives, and doctors — no longer relying
solely on interpreters.
Now, the consumer uses her tablet daily to stay in touch, manage her
health, and fully participate in conversations. Thanks to this small but
powerful tool, the consumer has regained independence, confidence, and
connection.
Bridging the gap:
From Financial Struggle to Medical Stability
In a time of financial uncertainty, a consumer came to PACE worried
about how he would afford the co-pays for his prescription
medications. His health depended on those prescriptions, but the cost
felt overwhelming. Thanks to the generosity of the Orange Krush
Foundation at UIUC and their dedicated grant funded this very need.
PACE was able to step in and help, because of this support, he was able
to cover his co-pays, continue his treatment, and focus on staying
healthy and stable.
This is just one example of how the Orange Krush grant allows PACE
to assist consumers in our community with medical co-pays. With the
assistance of the Orang Krush Foundation grant, PACE continues to
help consumers maintain access to the treatments they need — proving
that sometimes, a little help at the right time can make all the
difference.
A Simple Change, A Safer Home
With support from a grant received from the McKinley Foundation, PACE was able to have a grab bar installed for Mrs. Liggett in her bathroom after a fall which made daily tasks unsafe. The modification improved her stability and confidence, helping her remain safely at home. We’re grateful for the opportunity to assist and for the partnership that made this possible. Consumer reflection: “After experiencing a fall, everyday tasks became difficult and unsafe. Thanks to PACE, I was able to have a grab bar installed in my bathroom. It has made such a difference in my daily life, giving me the stability and confidence I need to stay safe in my own home. Thank you for helping me regain some independence and peace of mind.
Support at the Right Moment: Helping a Family Stay Housed
With support from a grant received from the McKinley Foundation, PACE was able to cover a three-night hotel stay for Betty Hobbs and her daughter, Regina, while their Urbana housing application was processed. This short-term lodging helped them remain safe and stable until their housing was approved. PACE in coordination with Cunningham Township were able to make sure they were not homeless during their wait for housing. We’re grateful for the opportunity to assist and for the partnership that made this timely support possible. Consumer statement: “I would like to take the time out to thank PACE for helping me and my mom take shelter in a hotel room for 3 days when we had no resources or no one to turn to. ”Thank you so much PACE.”
When the Right Support Makes the Difference
With support from a grant received from the McKinley Foundation, PACE was able to cover the apartment hold fee so Jimmie Dorris could secure a safe, affordable unit in Champaign. Mr. Dorris had been working with us since May 2023 and, after leaving a family member’s home in February 2025, was relying on hotels costing about $1,000 per month. We’re grateful to have been able to assist at this pivotal moment and will continue coordinating with community partners to support a stable move-in. As Mr. Dorris shared, “things are finally starting to come together.”
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]]>The post Chronic Illness Can Be Seen and Unseen appeared first on PACE.
]]>As a center for independent living, we aim to assist individuals facing all types of disabilities, whether visible or not, without judgment. We recognize that everyone’s experience is unique, and our role is to offer support, not to assume what others are going through.
For example, I personally live with chronic illness and face daily challenges that aren’t visible to others. Every day, I manage pain and symptoms that affect my mobility, but I continue to work, smile, and engage with others despite the internal struggles, including anxiety, depression, and overthinking.
To illustrate the impact of chronic illness, consider the “spoon theory.” A person without chronic illness might start their day with 20 spoons, each representing a unit of energy. Simple tasks like showering or driving to work use up spoons. Someone with chronic illness, however, may start the day with only 10 spoons, and every task consumes more energy, leaving them with limited spoons for the rest of the day. For me, managing my chronic illness can mean starting the day with just 5 spoons, and by the time I complete my responsibilities, I often end up in the negative.
Despite these challenges, I am grateful to be part of a center that understands and supports individuals with chronic illnesses. Many staff members here are empathetic to the struggles we face, and resources such as fidgets are available to help manage stress. It’s important to know that you are not alone, and support is always available for those who need it.
Jami Peterson
Low Vision Coordinator
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]]>The post NAMI Family Annual Picnic appeared first on PACE.
]]>NAMI is hosting their annual family picnic again this year. NAMI would like to thank all of their supporters with a evening of dinner and announcements. An ASL interpreter will be provided for those who need one.
Where?
The event will be held in the pavilion on the North end of Hessel Park. 1400 Grandview Drive in Champaign
When?
June 10th from 5:00pm-6:30pm
RSVP
If you would like to participate please RSVP to ensure that there will be enough sandwiches and plates for everyone. You can RSVP at
NAMI Champaign County (IL): NAMI Champaign 2024 Annual Family Picnic (signupgenius.com)
You are encouraged to bring a small side dish or dessert to share with everyone.
Contact
If you have any further questions feel free to contact a member from NAMI at [email protected]
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]]>The post Pace honors – Black History Month appeared first on PACE.
]]>The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a Civil Rights Law that puts in place protections for people with disabilities, similar to those provided to on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion. It guarantees equal opportunities for people with disabilities in public accommodations, employment, transportation, state and local government services, and telecommunications
- “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal
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]]>The post FUN WITH FOOD appeared first on PACE.
]]>This event series is being hosted by Illinois Extension of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The sponsors of this event include SHIFT, the Housing Authority of Champaign County, and the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program.
About The Event
Join Illinois Extension staff for:
- Series of 7 classes on a variety of nutrition topics
- Cooking skills demonstration
- Healthy cooking demonstrations
- Incentives provided for class attendance
Where?
Fun with Food will be held at 201 W Kenyon Rd, Suite 201, Champaign (next to Champaign-Urbana Public Health Building).
When?
Fun with Food is on Wednesdays from 3:00 to 4:00 PM.
Registration
Fun with Food is free! But registration is required. Please use the registration form to reserve your spot!
Event Schedule
- Wednesday, February 14th: Let’s keep our food safe
- Wednesday, February 21st: Getting to know MyPlate
- Wednesday, February 28th: Children
- Wednesday, March 6th: What’s for dinner
- Wednesday, March 13th: Plan, shop, save
- Wednesday, March 20th: Shop for value, know the facts
- Wednesday, March 27th: What’s the scoop on fast food
Contact
For more information, please contact Kathy Miller at [email protected] or 217-353-0740.
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]]>The post PETHUMANITY appeared first on PACE.
]]>About The Exhibit
“Pethumanity” explores the ways in which people build relationships with pets. Three artists, Lori Fuller, Logan Ingold, and Kyunghwa Yang, bring their unique perspectives, drawn from personal experience, observations of social media, and art historical analysis, and express them in drawings, paintings, and digital animation. Through artwork created with wit and humor, they engage the audience in reflecting on their intimate relationships with pets and invite them to think about how we, as humans, confine other creatures to human environments.
Where?
The “Pethumanity” exhibit will be in the Illini Union Art Gallery, open daily from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
When?
February 1st through March 2nd. The opening reception will be on Thursday, February 1st from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM.
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]]>Come join us! This event is being hosted by the Illini Chapter of IAD.
When?
- Date: Saturday, February 10, 2024
- Time: 1:00 to 4:00 PM. Doors open at 1:00 PM and play starts at 1:30 PM.
Where?
Hays Center, 1311 W Church St, Champaign, IL 61821
Prizes and Attendance
There will be cash door prizes! The cost to attend for players is $20 and the cost for fans is $5 (Cash door prizes included with paid admission).
