Bringing CLS Closer to the Community
Last week, the 2026 Class of Community Leadership School (CLS) participants got to be part of something new for the program: our first non-profit social.
In the past, CLS participants were introduced to a panel of nonprofit leaders. The conversation was always valuable and insightful, but it also meant we could only feature a handful of organizations when the Peoria area is home to so many incredible ones. This year, we wanted to open that up and give participants the chance to connect with more of the community.
At the CLS Non-Profit Social, we brought in 13 organizations representing a wide range of causes. From education and workforce development to basic needs and community support, it was a great reminder of how many ways people are making an impact locally.
Instead of sitting and listening, participants were able to move around with peers, engage directly with exhibitors, ask questions, and get a better sense of what involvement could look like. The experience became personalized!
The event also highlighted how connected all this work is. Even though each organization focuses on something different, there’s overlap in the challenges they’re trying to solve. Many of the missions intersect in ways that promote community engagement, drive development, and improve quality of life across the Peoria area.
Our class also came into the event with some context, having completed BoardSERVE training through Heart of Illinois United Way earlier this year. This training helped participants think more strategically about how they could plug in, whether that’s through board service, volunteering, or simply staying engaged with an organization’s work.
Thank you to Illinois Central College for hosting us and helping make the event happen.
The CLS Non-Profit Social was a simple shift from what we’ve done before, but it made a big difference in how participants were able to engage. We’re looking forward to bringing this event back year after year, and we can’t wait to see you at the next event.