HACC’s Envision Center Building Dedication Ceremony
Champaign, IL. January 18, 2021. The Housing Authority of Champaign County (HACC) was recently awarded the EnVision Center designation by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as part of Secretary Ben Carson's signature initiative. HACC is excited to announce that the newly awarded EnVision Center will be dedicated to David C. Sankey, the son of Yvonne Johnson, a client on HACC's program and in remembrance of Mr. Sankey. The dedication of this building solidifies HACC's commitment to providing decent, safe, and sanitary housing. This event will take place on Tuesday, January 19, 2021, at 1:00 p.m., at an undisclosed location for invited guests. Guests will be provided a mask upon entry and a tour around the facility.
HACC David C. Sankey Center for Youth and Community Development was established to promote education and leadership in the Champaign County community. In partnership with CU Fresh Start, the center is focused on preventing unnecessary gun violence through targeted services and supports, including employment, education, training, mentorship, and mental health resources. The David C. Sankey Center will be a HUB for local non-profit groups to engage in activities that enrich underserved populations' culture and climate. "It takes more than just housing assistance to change the lives of our clients said Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer David A. Northern, Sr. "This facility will offer a more holistic housing approach by connecting HUD-assisted families with the tools they need to become more self-sufficient and to flourish."
HACC intends to operate the YouthBuild Program in the EnVision Center, which is a community-based pre-apprenticeship program designed to offer a unique second chance to young people. This program is funded to serve 84 at-risk and disadvantaged youth between the ages of 16 and 24 who are high school dropouts, adjudicated youth, youth aging out of foster care, youth with disabilities, homeless youth, and other disconnected youth populations. The YouthBuild Program will provide basic education, occupational training, and leadership training while addressing several core issues important to low-income communities: affordable housing, education, employment, and leadership development. This facility will feature a construction and trades facility, four office spaces, three classroom spaces, a computer lab, and a community food pantry and clothing closet. Board Chairman, Dr. Grant G. Henry expressed the following remarks, "If we succeed in helping more families become self-sufficient, they will reduce dependency on federal, state, and local programs. The David C. Sankey Center for Youth and Community Development is our way of bringing hope and opportunity and serves as a springboard to success for families on our program."
For more information, please contact the Housing Authority of Champaign County at 217-378-7100.
About the Housing Authority of Champaign County: The Housing Authority of Champaign County (HACC) is a municipal corporation organized according to the Illinois Housing Authority Act. The jurisdiction of HACC includes all incorporated and unincorporated areas of the county of Champaign, Illinois. In 2010, HACC became one of only 39 public housing authorities in the country to be designated as a Moving to Work (MTW) Agency. Today, HACC has had extensive development and management experience and developed over $100 million of new affordable housing through mixed financing methods. Besides, HACC has administered over 1,200 tenant-based vouchers, a homeownership program, and a rental assistance program for homeless veterans. HACC also administers a multitude of resident support and service programs under various HUD and non-HUD grants.
For emergency COVID-19 related updates, please visit us click here. For social media updates, please visit us on Facebook at Housing Authority of Champaign County, Housing Authority of Champaign County Enrichment Foundation, and Housing Authority of Champaign County YouthBuild. For more information, visit www.hacc.net, and for questions/concerns, please email Concerns or call 217-378-7100 ext. 5001.
