Leadership group working on Hispanic directory and marketing 211

The McLean County Chamber of Commerce works on projects annually to improve the community and groom leaders. (Photo by Michelle Mantel/WJBC)

Social Services in McLean County are getting a boost from the McLean County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program. The program brings together diverse leaders to learn about the county, and combine experiences for the future. One project picked by this year’s class is ?Donde esta, or Where is, a Hispanic directory for services in McLean County. Brian Davis with the chamber says the group realized people coming into McLean County who can’t speak English have a hard time finding resources.

“And, so, they saw a way to take the material out there, because PATH already has a Hispanic version of this directory, get that information, update it, and put it in a way that population can access it,” Davis said.

The directory will be online, and it could take until the end of the year or later to launch. Another project is marketing 211, the social service hotline that answers any non-emergency question for residents, including basic human needs, mental health resources, or even employment supports. Davis says a brochure has already been created and a commercial is being developed to let people know what the hotline can offer, and educate the fact that it’s more than just a suicide prevention hotline.

“If you think of yourself of ‘Hey, I’m pretty well off, I take care of myself pretty well.’ What about your employees, your co-workers, your friends? These are the kinds of folks that will say, ‘I don’t know where to go for help.’ They’re leaning on you, you need to be able to help them,” Davis said.

Other projects this year include making over the Community Health Care Clinic, improving the Boys and Girls Club of McLean County indoor rec area, re-branding the Bloomington Normal Public Transit System, and making a Western Avenue Community center reading room.