Contents Message from the Chair and CEO .... 1 Order of Program ................................. 2 Menu ..................................................... 3 Keynote Speaker.................................. 4 Master of Ceremonies ........................ 5 Community Action Movement Award Recipients ........... 6 Community Service Award Recipients ............................. .10 Staff Service Award Recipients ...... 12 Special Thanks................................... 14 Silver Sponsors................................... 16 Agency Governance.......................... 18 2017 ECICAA Annual Report............. 19 Energy Assistance............................. 20 Weatherization .................................. 21 Community Services Block Grant ... 22 Educational Talent Search............... 23 Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (MIECHV)....24 Head Start and Early Head Start...... 26 Organizational Profile........................ 34 Shaping the Founders, Charter Board Members and Executive Directors ............................................. 35 Emeritus Governing Board of Future Together Directors............................ Back Cover Message froM the Chairperson and Chief exeCutive offiCer This evening, we celebrate fifty-three years of East Central Illinois Com - munity Action Agency “Shaping the Future Together” one individual and one family at a time. The Agency’s team members are committed to deliver - ing meaningful, high quality services with one goal in mind; eradication of the causes and effects of poverty in Ford, Iroquois, and Vermilion counties. The Agency recognizes that achieving economic self-sufficiency takes hard work and dedication. At one point in everyone’s life, someone or some randy p. Berger organization has played a part in guiding a person or family in their journey Board Chairperson towards a successful and fulfilling life. One’s ability to become a contributing member of the community relies upon equitable access to a high-quality ed - ucation, living wage employment, and affordable housing. Community Ac - tion wants to ensure everyone has an equitable opportunity to have their dreams realized. Community Action partners with numerous private businesses, local, state, and federal government, financial and educational institutions, and local human and social organizations to empower individuals and families to take charge of their lives and socio-economic destinies. The Agency re - mains steadfast in developing innovative programming, continuously en - angéle thibodeaux Burns, ph.d. hances service delivery methods, and constantly builds new partnerships to Chief executive officer maximize its community impact in eradicating generational and situational poverty. Each time an individual person or family moves forward, our entire community is strengthened. Thank you for partnering with Community Ac - tion in “Shaping the Future Together.” 1 Salutation Honorable Scott Eisenhauer, Mayor – City of Danville, Illinois order of Master of Ceremonies Welcome prograM Angéle Thibodeaux Burns, Ph.D. – Chief Executive Officer Introduction of Governing Board of Directors Randy P. Berger, Chairperson Presentation of Annual Report Angéle Thibodeaux Burns, Ph.D. – Chief Executive Officer Invocation Elder Tyson Parks Dinner Music Provided by Jazz Collective with special vocalist Danyell Finkley Community Service Awards Odette Hyatt-Watson, Chief Academic Officer Honorees Debra Cummings | Tricia D. Teague Employee Service Awards Chantal Savage Bryant, Chief Operating Officer Honorees Teena Alpers – 35 Years of Dedicated Service Betty A. Holmes – 35 Years of Dedicated Service Julie Cramer – 40 Years of Dedicated Service Bessie M. Nelson – 40 Years of Dedicated Service Introduction of Keynote Speaker Dr. LaVias M. Burns Carle Clinic Obstetrician and Gynecologist Keynote Presentation Dana C. Howard 2018 College Football Hall of Fame Inductee Community Action Movement Awards Angéle Thibodeaux Burns, Ph.D. – Chief Executive Officer Economic Empowerment Ebun Osaze Economic Development Leadership Deanna Witzel Special Acknowledgements 2 Angéle Thibodeaux Burns, Ph.D. – Chief Executive Officer Menu — Hors D’oeuvres — Veggie Eggrolls Italian Beef Crescents Crab Stuffed Mushrooms Barbecue Meatballs Assorted Petite Quiches — Plated Dinner — Spring Mix Garden Salad – French, Italian, and Ranch Beef Burgundy Shrimp Skewer - Scampi Roasted and Herbed New Potatoes Home-Style Green Beans Dinner Rolls, Whipped Butter, and Strawberry Preserves Coffee, Iced Tea, Lemonade and Water — Assorted Bistro Desserts — Red Velvet Turtle Cream Pie Peanut Butter Cream Cake Hot Fudge Key Lime Pie Strawberry Cheesecake Cream Pie Chocolate Cream Pie Lemon layer Cake Coffee and Hot Tea 3 our Keynote speaKer Dana C. Howard is a husband, Dana was selected to the father and humanitarian who Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame has worked hard to achieve Class of 2018. Moreover, of success in both the business the 5.26 million who have ever and sports arenas. Dana is played or coached college highly acclaimed in the foot - football since 1869, only 987 ball world and serves as Presi - players and 214 coaches have dent/CEO and Founder of Zoie been inducted into the Col - LLC, its subsidiary, Zoie Serv - lege Football Hall of Fame, and ices, and Zade Trucking. you can guess who is joining Dana was born and raised this elite club. Dana will be in - in East St. Louis, Illinois. Dana’s ducted into the College Foot - hard work and perseverance ball Hall of Fame in 2018. have been the foundation of After Dana’s NFL football his achievements throughout career, he passed the required his lifetime. Although he had Financial Industry Regulatory an inauspicious beginning in Authority, Inc. (FINRA) exams football, being cut by his head Series 7, Series 66, Series 31, coach in Junior High, Dana Life and Heath and worked as went on to play both line - a financial advisor for several backer and tight end for the East St. Louis Flyers high years. Dana is a current owner of 3 businesses, Zoie school football team. As a senior, he helped the LLC, Zoie Services, and Zade Trucking. Zoie LLC is a school win the 6A state title, receiving Parade All- MBE Civil contracting company with services includ - America and All-state honors. Dana’s high school ac - ing: highway, street and bridge construction, aggre - complishments earned him a football scholarship to gate bases and surfaces, excavating, demolition, the University of Illinois and prior to earning a Bache - grading and drainage services, clearing, grubbing and lor’s of Science Degree in Speech and Communica - landscaping services, concrete services, site prepara - tions and completing courses towards a master’s tion, demolition and drainage. In 2017, Illinois Depart - degree, Dana earned accolades that include: First Time ment of Transportation nominated Zoie LLC as DBE of All-Big Ten Honors for four years, two time Consensus the Year. Zoie Services, which officially starts in April All- American, two time Big Ten Defensive Player of the 2018, is an electric transmission and delivery company year, All-Time Tackling Leader for Illinois, Big Ten Con - with operations in both Metro St. Louis and Chicago. ference inclusion, and the prestigious Dick Butkus These companies were named after Dana’s daughter, Award (1994) which is presented to the best college Zoie. Zade Trucking, Dana’s third owned company, linebacker in the nation and made him become the was named after Dana’s son, Zade, and it provides first Illini football player to win a major national award. trucking services and supports the operations of Zoie Dana still holds the top two spots, and three of the top LLC and Zoie Services. four, in single-game solo tackles at Illinois. Upon grad - Despite his journey to success in business and uating, he was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys and football, Dana has always taken the time to feed his subsequently played in the NFL for five years with innate desire to invest in youth and he uses his athletic teams including: Chicago Bears, St. Louis Rams and and business influences as opportunities to make an Philadelphia Eagles. impact on the lives of others. Dana feels that Zoie, LLC 4 “is not just a construction firm, but a dedicated team his personal student-athlete success to his relationship determined to bring growth to our communities.” Zoie, with teachers and coaches who encouraged him to LLC continues to partner with local agencies and con - strive for excellence. He continues to work closely with tinues to provide ongoing financial support. During community youth, and in 2009, Dana co-founded The the NFL off-season, Dana served as a substitute teacher City of Champions Foundation with the mission to within the East St. Louis school district because he felt maintain and improve opportunities for the youth of that in order to make a difference, you had to be visible East St. Louis, Illinois. and the kids had to be able to relate to you. It’s not un - Dana resides in Caseyville, Illinois with his wife common for Dana to be approached by previous stu - Patrice, fellow U of I graduate, and their two children dents who tell him how having an NFL player work with Zoie and Zade. them influenced their lives. Dana attributes much of Master of CereMonies Scott Eisenhauer is a life-long issues of homeland security. resident of Danville, and feels In 2003, Eisenhauer launched a blessed to be starting his fourth successful campaign for Mayor of term serving as Mayor of his the City of Danville, a position he hometown. While his face is rec