Cunningham is a place of constant activity
Each day we have 60 youth living on campus in full time residential care, and another 40 attending CIRCLE Academy, our day treatment education program l in Urbana. We are blessed with a beautiful park-like 37 acres and love to share our mission with each of our visitors as we walk the grounds.
Learn about our History
Learn about Judge Joseph and Mary Cunningham’s 124-year legacy which continues to grow with the season. Understand why ‘hope begins here.’ is more than just a tagline. And leave knowing that we are creating a safe community, a good education, and a place to call home for youth who suffer from serious emotional and behavioral challenges that have been caused by abuse, neglect, mental illness, and more.
A Future of Hope
We look towards the future with hope because we know the youth we serve are resilient. Their bodies and minds can heal from the trauma they have experienced when staff and programs align to support their unique needs and to help them overcome their past.
a safe place…
The youth in our Residential Treatment program benefit from:
- a treatment team that includes professional staff, counselors, therapists, and case managers who work with them 24/7.
- support, healing, and growth through Special Therapies, Health Services, and Spiritual Life programming.
Young adults in our Transitional and Independent Living programs receive:
- an opportunity to learn to live on their own in a structured setting with support from caring staff including therapists, counselors, nurses, and vocational teachers.
a good education…
Special Education programs CIRCLE Academy Therapeutic Day Education Programs in Urbana and Rossville, and Winfred Gerber Education Program. Gerber provides therapeutic special education to youth in our Residential Treatment program.
We continue to raise funds for the Rosann Gelvin Noel Education Center (NEC) - designed to provide the highest quality, most appropriate educational environment to meet the needs of our students.
serving our community…
With HopeSprings Counseling Services, we now offer counseling expertise directly to individuals-mainly youth and families-in the community who are experiencing difficult life situations. Through HopeSprings, counselors:
- offer therapy through individual, family, and group sessions in office, home, or school.
- are certified in Theraplay, a child and family therapy based on the natural patterns of playful, healthy interactions between parent and child and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, a treatment model that teaches children and parents new skills to help process, manage, and resolve thoughts and feelings related to traumatic life events.
a spiritual journey…
Cunningham Children's Home is a mission and ministry of the United Methodist Women of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference. Chaplain Gay King Crede, our United Methodist Chaplain, is available to children, youth, and families to provide support during times of crisis as well as leadership during times of community celebration. Participation in spiritual services is optional, and services are tailored to the unique needs of individual clients.
How to take a tour:
We invite you (or your community or church group) to join us for a tour of Cunningham Children’s Home! To take a tour, or to request more information, contact Colleen Combes by email or at 217.337.9058.
For those interested in learning more about Cunningham's Residential Services, please contact our Intake/Admissions Coordinator at 217.367.3728, ext. 281.