The CommunityWorks initiative is a proactive effort to bring people together to create their own choices, make their own decisions, work on their own behalf, and build a Vision for a Thriving Community. Through a partnership with the Grand Victoria Foundation, we’re working to build an endowment that focuses on values in three specific areas:

 

Child Care

  •  Increasing the quality, accessibility, and affordability of child care programs to propel children to a lifetime of learning and opportunity, while opening up employment options for parents.
  • Child Care and Early Education Update - Learn how CommunityWorks is turning $1.00 into $5.22! CHILD CARE DRILL DOWN
  • NIU Campus Child Care is a STAR 4 Center - only the third STAR 4 in the State of Illinois - Congratulations! READ ABOUT IT HERE.

 Land Use

  •  Ensuring that decision-makers have the tools they need to make important choices, judgments, and decisions concerning the use of land for the well-being of DeKalb County communities. Learn how Communityworks is providing tools to municipalities:                        LAND USE DRILL DOWN                            
  • Thank you to all who attended the On-Line Tools for Stormwater Management & Planning Event on September 30, 2010.  For a copy of the presentation by Rob Linke, Trotter & Associates, Inc.          PART 1
  • Rob Linke Presentation PART 2

 

 

Workforce Development

  • Developing soft skills education for middle school youth to prepare the workforce for the jobs that help our community thrive.
  • For a visual map of Soft Skills for Success CLICK HERE
  • In order to move toward our vision for the workforce, we've developed a REPORT on soft skills planning.
  • Workforce Development Update - Learn how Communityworks is preparing middle school youth for future employment. 

          WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT DRILL DOWN

           MIDDLE SCHOOL EDUCATORS - SOFT SKILL ENHANCEMENT GRANT APPLICATIONS NOW BEING ACCEPTED

Deadline for submission is 5:00 pm on March 1, 2012

Guidelines and Application

  • For a Visual Map of Soft Skills tied to skills in the Illinois Learning Standards. CLICK HERE
  • For a list of Best Practice Curricula matched to the Illinois Learning Standards. CLICK HERE

As we work to fulfill the goals of the CommunityWorks Impact Plan, an addendum was approved for 2011.  To view the addendum, CLICK HERE.

To view a full version of our CommunityWorks Impact Plan CLICK HERE, or to view an executive summary CLICK HERE.

For a full listing of all CommunityWorks grants in all three areas, CLICK HERE

For more information about the CommunityWorks initiative, contact Elaine Suarez elaine@dekalbccf.org or Andera Litewski andrea@dekalbccf.org, Community Initiatives Interns or call (815) 748-5383

Thank you to the many donors who have contributed to CommunityWorks Endowment Funds which provide grant support to the initiative!

The following are seperately NAMED CommunityWorks Endowment Funds:

CommunityWorks Fund
Robert & Mary Pritchard
Cinco de Mayo
Mary M. Awalt
Howard & Martha Mullins
Northern Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine
Bill & Bonnie Mullins
Karen Lee Klein
CommunityWorks Leadership
Curran CommunityWorks
Kishwaukee Kiwanis Club
Steve & Patricia Faivre

Daniel & Kristal Templin

Lana & Michael Haines

Nancy D. Castle

Jerry & Annette Johns

Tony & Micki Chulick

Castle Bank

Dr. Gordon & Joan Graham

Barbara J. Rauman Family

Any of the funds listed above can receive tax-deductible contributions.  Want to start a named fund of your own to support CommunityWorks?  Contact Dan Templin (dan@dekalbccf.org or 815-748-5383) to get started.