Social Justice

On occasion, our social justice awards selection committee receives a nomination that falls outside of our usual award parameters, and so that person or group goes unrecognized. But this year, we couldn’t let the opportunity pass to honor the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District for their work in fighting COVID-19, educating the public, and rolling out […]

On occasion, our social justice awards selection committee faces a dilemma. We receive a nomination outlining contributions that span so many years and have made such a significant impact on our community that a standard award doesn’t seem adequate. That happened this year in the case of one nomination, and so we are pleased to […]

Salt and Light Ministries began in 2004 as a food and furniture pantry in Champaign. By 2014, however, its founders recognized the limit to their effectiveness: they were serving, but mostly in the sense of alleviating crisis in the short term. Study and reflection led them to a model they hoped would offer sustainable assistance […]

This year’s recipient of the Community Individual Award, Lucia Maldonado, was described by her nominators as “a true community treasure,” and we couldn’t agree more. In her capacity as the Latino Parent Liaison for first the Champaign School District and now the Urbana School District, Maldonado has helped families navigate the difficulties of her constituency, […]

Taylor Blackwell, Naomi Dupree, Mayahuel Gutiérrez Malik, Ayan Harris, and Isabela Lleras will each receive the Student Individual Award. This diverse group of Champaign-Urbana students are committed to making a change in our community, striving to call out inequality when they see it, and lift the voices of those who face social injustices and discrimination. […]

Centennial High School Key Club, Student Organization winner, is honored for providing much-needed service to the Garden Hills Food Pantry in north Champaign. Many of the pantry’s usual volunteers are older and, therefore, more vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus so were unable to participate as they usually do. This left the pantry without enough hands […]

Feeding the hungry, building bridges, and combating racism and poverty—these are just a few examples of the amazing work being done in our community that will be honored at the 2021 McKinley Foundation Social Justice Awards Gala. Held annually, the awards “celebrate students and community members who have demonstrated contributions and achievement in making our […]