Dear friends,
The mission of the Community Foundation of East Central Illinois is “to enhance the lives of the residents of east central Illinois…” That means all residents.
Our stated values are to promote inclusiveness in an impartial, unbiased, ethical way. We bring together people and resources to identify and address present and emerging community needs.
Those of us who have privilege cannot understand what it means to live in fear every day but we can listen and try to help where possible. The Community Foundation does this by supporting organizations that address racism, prejudice, injustices in education, employment and healthcare. We must acknowledge these injustices and work to eliminate them. If one of us is treated unfairly, we all suffer.
Our communities and our country are richer for the many cultures and ethnicities that are represented among us. We are all members of the human race and while we must appreciate and celebrate our differences, without addressing systemic racism, we can not move forward.
This is an extremely stressful time for all of us – a health crisis, an economic crisis, a credibility crisis. As we struggle through this, it is our job to help each other any way we can, whenever we can and to help each other find answers for ourselves, our communities and our country.
None of us can do everything but each of us can – and must – do something.
Joan Dixon, President & CEO