Shared Offering

February 2026 Shared Offering

Our Shared Offering recipient for the month of February is The LGBTQ+ Impact Fund through Cunningham Township

LGBTQ+ residents are twice as likely as the general population to experience homelessness, and to face barriers to accessing resources such as emergency shelter. When accessing services, they are more likely to be harassed or denied services than non-LGBTQ+ people. This is also true in CU. Due to the current political climate, many people have moved here from other states.  They sometimes have issues getting themselves established and need a hand up until they can. 

In 2022, Jerry Carden and Tim Temple, working with Danielle Chynoweth, the Cunningham Township Supervisor, established the LGTBQ+ Impact Fund. They, and others, continue to provide financial support. 100% of these funds are used to support the emergency needs of local LGBTQ+ residents. Nathan Alexander, a local LGBTQ+ activist, helped create an LGTBQ+ work group. This became a committee of the Continuum of Service Providers to the Homeless, an interagency coalition of more than 50 service providing organizations, people with lived experience, and members at large. This workgroup grew directly from a 2018 backpack drive for youth experiencing homelessness that UUCUC was foundational in making successful. The LGBTQ+ committee was instrumental in addressing shelter discrimination after two trans-identified residents were found sleeping outside in the cold and continues to advocate for safe housing options, most recently successfully advocating before the Champaign City Council to defeat an anti-camping ordinance.

The LGBTQ+ committee has established guidelines for allowable fund use, emphasizing safe housing options while case managers work with individuals to find long-term solutions. The planning group includes reps from both LGBTQ+ organizations and those that provide services to people experiencing homelessness, including Uniting Pride and the Greater Community AIDS Project, which operates Champaign House- a transitional facility for those with HIV/AIDS. 

Funds are primarily used to pay for up to two weeks of housing support for LGBTQ+ identified residents in Champaign County who lack other options and agree to follow program rules (including no unregistered guests). Referrals for housing come through partner organizations who are working with LGBTQ+ identified residents, such as Uniting Pride or organizations directly working with people experiencing homelessness. Funds are used for motel stays, emergency food, bus passes, and gender-affirming clothing (including wigs, hair products).

In addition to the UUCUC Shared Offering this month, you can Donate online to the LGBTQ+ Impact Fund or mail a check to Cunningham Township 205 W. Green St., Urbana, IL 61801 with the “LGBTQ+ fund” in the memo. 100% of donations go directly to meet material needs local of low-income LGBTQ+ residents.