Mike, a case manager with Cunningham’s ECHO Housing and Employment Support program, really has the Christmas spirit.

Ten-year-old Pierce* is making great progress in the classroom thanks to James, a Family Support Specialist with Cunningham’s Families Stronger Together (FST) program. But that hasn’t always been the case.

Having a sense of community unites us. Community allows us to support one another, interact and share experiences. We have seen firsthand how Cunningham Children’s Home helps transform lives in our community.

Staci has a lot on her plate. A single mother, she is the primary caregiver for her two children with special needs and her elderly parents who live with them. When Staci sought services at HopeSprings Counseling Services for her son, Jacob,* she did not realize how much her own life would change. Once skeptical for hope, she now sees there is light in the darkness.

On June 30, 2020, five-year-old Emery’s adoption was finalized and like all parents do, Julie and Shawn made sure to capture the event with the cutest of photos. The pure delight that shined through in Emery’s sweet smile said it all.

Adrian* took a bite of his pizza and then shouted across the table, "TJ, TJ, TJ, I love you TJ!"

Reassuringly, TJ responded, "I love you too."

“They made me feel welcome,” Isabel* said while rocking her three-week-old baby. “I was kind of a happy-nervous, but I realized these are good people who want to help me.”

Shantel, a lifelong member of the Champaign-Urbana community, has always taken pride in considering herself a hard worker. But here she was in her late 40’s...homeless, unable to return to work, and feeling hopeless.

"Trust the process; it works." – 20-year-old Anthony

Anthony, a young adult in our Independent Living program, is proof that hard work pays off.

ECHO (Empowering Connections through Hope and Opportunity), Cunningham's Housing and Employment Support Program, has allowed our staff to serve some of the most vulnerable individuals and families in Champaign County through long term case management services. Our staff are very committed to helping our community and participate in a variety of causes.