Child Development Center children signed up for Dolly Parton Imagination Library

LLCC’s Child Development Center has been working closely with the United Way to get all of the center’s children signed up for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. The program sends registered children a book each month until they reach the age of 5. On Friday, Nov. 17 representatives from United Way visited the Child Development Center to read the first book the children will receive through the program, “The Little Engine That Could.”

Marne Fauser holding the book, "The Little Engine That Could"Child Development Center students with Marne Fauser

Posted in CDC |

In the community

Zoolie Ghoulie is the annual Trick or Treat Event held at Henson Robinson Zoo.  This year the event took place on Friday, Oct. 27 and Saturday, Oct. 28.  The LLCC Child Development Center annually provides a treat station and was able to pass out information about our Preschool for All Expansion Program in addition to the treats for children.

Be the "I" in "KIND" selfie stationTwo staff members dressed up for Halloween at the Child Development Center's table.

In the news

Laurie Rhodes, director, LLCC Child Development Center, was interviewed on WTAX radio Dec. 1 on the new Preschool for All Expansion classroom that will begin Jan. 9 at the center. Twenty spots are available to children from high needs families, with services provided free of charge through a grant from Illinois State Board of Education. Screenings for the spots will be held Dec. 7, 13 and 14 and can be scheduled by calling 217-786-2450.

LLCC Child Development Center to offer Preschool for All Expansion classroom

The LLCC Child Development Center has been awarded a grant from the Illinois State Board of Education to offer a Preschool for All Expansion (PFAE) classroom at the center.

Twenty spaces in the classroom are available to preschool children ages three to five who come from families with identified needs. The classroom is designed to supply high-quality early learning experiences to these children at no cost.

Priority eligibility factors for the program include low income, a language other than English spoken in the home, developmental needs and other family risk factors. Information collected through a child screening and parent interview will decide those families most needing service.

“We know that children are best ready for school when they have been in a high-quality preschool learning environment,” says Laurie Rhodes, director of the LLCC Child Development Center. “This grant will allow us to offer children from high-needs families the best in preschool education at no cost, along with various family supports.”

The LLCC Child Development Center will hold initial screenings for the program from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 7; Tuesday, Dec.13; and Wednesday, Dec. 14.

To schedule a screening, call 217-786-2450.

Parade of Food today, 9:45 a.m.

As you can imagine, holidays like Thanksgiving are difficult times as many lack the resources to have a traditional Thanksgiving meal. One initiative back for a second year that has risen to help combat food insecurity faced by LLCC students is called Operation Full Belly: Help for Hungry Students. Operation Full Belly is a joint venture between LLCC Student Life, Child Development Center, Workforce Equity Initiative, Trio, Police Department and Foundation to offer students in need a chance to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal.

To make Operation Fully Belly a success, please join faculty, staff and children from the Child Development Center on Monday, Nov. 14, at 9:45 a.m. for the Parade of Food in A. Lincoln Commons

Additionally, the Foundation will be collecting monetary donations through tomorrow, Nov. 15. Funds collected as part of Operation Full Belly will be used to purchase grocery baskets and gift cards for our students who have indicated a need for assistance this Thanksgiving Holiday.

LLCC Food Pantry accepting donations to assist students

Each year, students face many forms of service or resource insecurities. Of the many insecurities a student may have while at LLCC, food insecurity is often one of the most basic and personal insecurities to navigate. As a campus community, we have risen to this all-too-common challenge by establishing the LLCC Food Pantry and other events and programs throughout the year to support those in need.

As you can imagine, holidays like Thanksgiving are difficult because many lack the resources to have a Thanksgiving meal. Back for a second year, one initiative that has risen this year to help combat food insecurity faced by our students is called Operation Full Belly: Help for Hungry Students. Operation Full Belly is a joint venture between LLCC Student Life, Child Development Center, Police and Foundation to offer students in need a chance to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal.

To make Operation Full Belly a success, we need your help. Through Tuesday, Nov. 15, Student Life will collect food items donations in the office or through one of the collection boxes around campus. View a list of what to donate to the LLCC Food Pantry this November.

At the same time, the Foundation will be collecting monetary donations through Tuesday, Nov. 15. Funds collected as part of Operation Full Belly will be used to purchase grocery baskets and gift cards for our students who have indicated a need for assistance this Thanksgiving holiday.

If you can contribute, please visit www.llccfoundation.org/donate, choose “Pay it Forward” from the drop-down menu and in the comments type: Operation Full Belly: Help for Hungry Students. Cash/checks can also be dropped off in the Foundation office, indicating that the gift is for Operation Full Belly: Help for Hungry Students.

If you have any questions about Operation Full Belly, please reach out to the Student Life staff at studentlife@llcc.edu or 217-782-2241.

LLCC Food Pantry accepting donations to assist students

Each year, students face many forms of service or resource insecurities. Of the many insecurities a student may have while at LLCC, food insecurity is often one of the most basic and personal insecurities to navigate. As a campus community, we have risen to this all-too-common challenge by establishing the LLCC Food Pantry and other events and programs throughout the year to support those in need.

As you can imagine, holidays like Thanksgiving are difficult because many lack the resources to have a Thanksgiving meal. Back for a second year, one initiative that has risen this year to help combat food insecurity faced by our students is called Operation Full Belly: Help for Hungry Students. Operation Full Belly is a joint venture between LLCC Student Life, Child Development Center, Police and Foundation to offer students in need a chance to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal.

To make Operation Full Belly a success, we need your help. Through Tuesday, Nov. 15, Student Life will collect food items donations in the office or through one of the collection boxes around campus. View a list of what to donate to the LLCC Food Pantry this November.

At the same time, the Foundation will be collecting monetary donations through Tuesday, Nov. 15. Funds collected as part of Operation Full Belly will be used to purchase grocery baskets and gift cards for our students who have indicated a need for assistance this Thanksgiving holiday.

If you can contribute, please visit www.llccfoundation.org/donate, choose “Pay it Forward” from the drop-down menu and in the comments type: Operation Full Belly: Help for Hungry Students. Cash/checks can also be dropped off in the Foundation office, indicating that the gift is for Operation Full Belly: Help for Hungry Students.

If you have any questions about Operation Full Belly, please reach out to the Student Life staff at studentlife@llcc.edu or 217-782-2241.