Vermilion Advantage Job Board – For current, local job opportunities posted directly by employers, please see the Vermilion County Jobs Board at www.vermilionadvantage.com/job-board – Vermilion Advantage is Vermilion County, Illinois’ electronic resource for career and occupational opportunities, employer profiles, career information, K-16 education programs and partnerships in our area. Learn more about local training through Danville Area Community College and other local training resources. It’s all here. If you need help to be set up as a user on our Vermilion County Jobs Board page to post job openings, please contact Vermilion Advantage at 217-442-6201.
Honors & Achievements
DANVILLE – Danville Area Community College Professor Marcie Wright is the epitome of the community college success story. Initially a high school dropout, Professor Wright actively sought to improve her circumstances through education. Through many years and with a great deal of grit and determination, she eventually climbed to the top of her field and serves as mentor for others. In recognition of her efforts and achievement, DACC has named Marcie Wright their 2023 Distinguished Alumnus and has submitted her for consideration to the Illinois Community College Trustees Association for their statewide award of the same name.
We just produced a great #MyDACCStory video about Marcie if you would like to watch it: https://youtu.be/0-TphcnCnss
Healthcare
On average there are 123 suicides a day. From 1999-2016 630,000 people died from drug overdose. Nearly 1 in 5 U.S. Adults live with a mental illness. Mental Health Training teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders – Want to take the course? Youth training is April 14 see details here; Adult training is April 21 see details here
Healthcare
Amanda Thoennes, Behavioral Health APRN Joins OSF Healthcare in Danville – see news release here
Education
Illinois Small Business Center at DACC – see upcoming classes & training events here
District 118 Fine Arts – save the date for the April 29 Fine Arts Festival!
DACC Courses & Trainings:
April 15 DACC holds Beginner Drone Course – see flyer here
April 20 DACC’s Business & Technology Division Open House – see flyer here
April 21 Connection Cafe Series: Mental Health, Understanding Trauma – see flyer here
Deadlines to Apply for DACC Summer and Fall 2023 Health Career Programs – see details here
DACC Coordinated Engineering Program – see details here
Child Care Resource Services would like to encourage people to learn about the Grants and Scholarships that are available for Early Childhood and Education -see Higher Education Navigator Flyer here; see Early Childhood DACC flyer here; see ECACE Scholarship flyer here
New Member Alert!
Welcome to Vermilion Advantage Hoopeston Public Library!
Natayla Bourne
“I love what I do and who I have become.” Natalya Bourne
Natalya Bourne is a single mom, the oldest of eight, a light for children and young adults, a performer at DLO Community Theater, and a volunteer at her church.
Natalya is not originally from the Danville area. Because her parents served in the military while growing up, so her family had moved around a lot. Her dad, however, is from the area, so once both of her parents had served out their contracts they moved back into Vermilion County; Natalya was in high school at the time. After high school, she wanted to go and explore the world and all it had to offer, but when she got pregnant with her son at 26, things changed. As a single mother, she wanted to be closer to her family.
The community that she has made in Danville is like none other, she says, “everyone knows everyone.” She enjoys the small city energy that it brings because, “I am a city girl just not a big city girl.” Her involvement in the church has helped her build her community, especially since her dad the pastor. She has been a Sunday school teacher, on the church board, and she sings in the choir. She is a large part in her church, but she prefers to see everyone else in the spotlight, except for when she is preforming at the DLO Community Theater. She recently performed in Ghost the musical.
Natalya, had not originally known what she wanted to do, so she got a General Studies degree from Western Kentucky University. Years after, she received her bachelor’s and she realized she wanted to help others by listening to and empowering them. She went back to school and obtained her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health from Indiana State University. Natalya is now a therapist at Crosspoint, and she works with adults with intellectual disabilities, children, and young adults from 5-25. Her case load is so full, so Natalya says, “My boss jokes that I am going around telling people to come see me.” In all honesty, Natalya is a light that draws in people that are in need. She loves to empower, praise, and motivate the children she works with. She says, “If I can plant a seed of success I have done my job.” Her goal in helping young adults and children is to help them find the right path. “I will never tell a child whether a path is right or wrong, but I will guide them around the different paths until they find the right one for them.” She builds bonds with each of the people she helps, so that they trust her with whatever they need to talk about. One child shared that without her, they would not be alive today. This made her emotional because she has always wanted to help people, but this one statement showed her that she does much more than comfort them, she gives them hope and the motivation to keep going even when things are tough.
When asked about her “why”, she spoke about her son and wanting to set the best example for him. She wants to show him that he can do whatever he puts his mind to. Natalya reflects, “He is my reason. I do my best for him.” She is incredibly proud of the young man he is becoming. Being a parent, while it is a reward in and of itself, has helped her with her work as well. Not only is she able to relate to her younger clients, she is able to explain things to their parents as well. Natalya does not help others for the recognition, and she does not think she is better than anyone is. “I am regular folk, and I am with everybody.” She does what she does purely to see others happy. That is all the reward she needs.
When asked about one thing she would leave with everyone she has met, she said, “Don’t be afraid to fall.” This is incredibly inspiring because failure is a mindset and as long as you can keep pushing forward, you will eventually succeed.
By Erin Gregory
To nominate someone who inspires you, click below!
What causes indecision? Fear – fear of not knowing enough, fear of making a mistake. How do you overcome it? Make a decision, any decision. Like every other skill, it’s acquired. Of course, some decisions are tough – like changing careers. But not making a decision is a decision in itself! Is it the best choice? If not, actively choose something better for your BIGG success! Get more tips from BIGG Success here.
Introducing a New Event Center in Vermilion County called Blue Heron Ranch – see flyer here
Rotary Memorial Way Flag Sales – see details here; see corporate sponsorship form here; see memorial way flag form here
The Three Kings of Peace is offering rewards to help Danville Police bring justice to unsolved homicides – see news release here
SBA Working Capital Disaster Loans for Small Businesses in Illinois Affected by the 2022 Drought – Submit Completed Loan Application no later than April 26 – see news release here; see Fact sheet here
The Lions Club of Danville is collecting used sneakers to be recycled – see news release here
The City of Danville is pleased to announce the incoming of Sonic Drive-In and separate Jimmy John’s – see news release here
Illinois Housing Development Association’s Court-Based Rental Assistance Program (CBRAP) is a court-based rental assistance program for people who are facing eviction and are in court proceeding – see program information here
ECICAA Announces the Start of the Energy Assistance Program
Be a voice from Vermilion County community to discuss Early Childhood service needs – see flyer here
Vermilion County Conservation District 2023 Camp Programs – see flyer here; see program registration here
The Vermilion Conservationist Spring 2023 – see here
East Central Illinois Community Action Agency VOCA Newsletter – see April edition here
SAVE THE DATE Vermilion Regional Airport is pleased to announce the return of the very popular “Cheeseburger Night” – see news release here
Need Help Finding & Affording Quality Child Care? Child Care Resource Service is here to help – see flyer here; see who we are and what we do here; see higher educational navigator flyer here
May 13 Free Electroinics Collection Event – see flyer here
May 19, 20, & 21 DLO Performs, Seussical, at The Fischer Theater – see details here
Local Sponsors Needed – DLO Musical Theatre production of Seussical the Musical is hoping to do another giveaway full of local goodies. We love supporting small businesses in the area and are looking for donations for a big gift basket
Friday Dinner served 5:00PM-7:00PM with options of beer battered fish, shrimp, and a variety of sandwiches
Big Thorn Farm & Brewery:
Bar Hours: Friday 3:00-9:00PM, Saturday Noon-9:00PM, Sunday 10:00AM–4:00PM
Enjoy our delicious craft beer, great food, and one-of-a-kind Greenhouse Bar setting.
Families always welcome, dogs are welcome (must remain on leashes), and the weather looks fantastic!
Boxcar Books & Vinyl:
We have a club for that! The Donut Club grades 5-8, The Coffee Club grades 8-12 and the Adult Book Club.
Check out our Rail Mail Book Subscription Boxes. Choose your genre and the number of months you’d like to subscribe and we will ship you a new release book and bookish gifts each month!
Friday Night Cook 5:30PM-7:30PM menu will be as follows; cheeseburger/hamburgers, chicken strips, pork fritters, and grilled chicken sandwich. All meals come with 2 sides; fries, onion rings, coleslaw, and beans
Captain’s 3 will be playing in the hall from 7:00PM-9:00PM
Come on out and dance the dust right off them boots!
Sleepy Creek Vineyards:
Mondays: Yoga & Wine with Linda every Monday; Doors open at 5:30PM Class begins at 6:00PM, Cost is $10
Tuesdays: Yoga & Wine with Mandy every Tuesday; Doors open at 5:30PM Class begins at 6:00PM, Cost is $10
Wednesday: 12:00PM-7:00PM For a limited time, Wine Down ALL DAY Wednesday. $5 any glass of wine, small slushy, or small sangria. Take a mid-week break to relax and unwind!
April 14 Wieners & Wine Friday Night Live! w/ Aces N Rhythms 6:00PM-9:00PM
April 15 Food Truck On-Site: House of Brisket/Paris 5:00PM-8:00PM
April 15 Howl2Go Dueling Piano Spring Show – visit website for ticket information
April 16 Tom Petty Tribute Due 2:00PM-5:00PM
Sundays: Winey Mary Bar Every Sunday Noon-6:00PM
Sleepy Creek Hours: Sunday-Tuesday Noon-6:00PM; Wednesday-Thursday-Saturday Noon-7:00PM & Friday Noon-9:00PM. Please visit our Facebook page at Sleepy Creek Vineyards or online at www.sleepycreekvineyards.com for updates
Fridays: fish fillet dinners and Bill’s seafood chowder will be served from 5:00PM-8:00PM/ Dine in and carry-outs available
Sundays: Family bingo every Sunday promptly at 2:00PM. Children are welcome, but be 18 years of age to play. A Sunday lunch special and a variety of sandwiches and snack foods are available.
April 15 Bill’s Monthly breakfast – menu includes eggs over and scrambled, biscuits & gravy, sausages and pancakes. Meal includes coffee or milk and juice. Carry-outs available.
Westville American Legion Post 51:
Wednesdays: Queen of Hearts Drawing at 7:00PM. Tickets $1.00.
Thursday Night Dinners with Bob Schifo – see menu here
April 13 Beef Manhattans with Bob Schifo playing 5:30PM-7:30PM
April 15 Spaghetti Dinner with the Wiseguys playing 4:30-7:30PM