Julie Shepard (Blessing Health)
Ellen Vonderheide (Adams County Health Department)
Natalie Cornwell (United Way of Adams County)
In response to the needs, challenges and problems identified in the Community Needs Assessment, the Community Building Council (CBC) is United Way of Adams County’s volunteer strategic leadership response team that oversees the Community Building Council’s Behavioral Health, Housing and Poverty solution teams.
The CBC guides the community needs assessment and planning process by developing programs, partnerships, and collaborations to address the priorities that emerge from the Community Health Needs Assessment. The CBC strategically directs community efforts toward fostering systemic change, focusing on top priorities in areas such as health, education, and financial stability. Acting as a central hub for collaboration, the CBC brings together a range of community stakeholders, including United Way of Adams County, Blessing Health, and the Adams County Health Department, among others, to implement a shared, three-year community plan. This plan mobilizes resources and promotes accountability across the community.
Key functions of the CBC include assisting in the recurring Community Assessment every three years, forming specialized Community Solution Teams that target issues like poverty, housing, and behavioral health, and ensuring public engagement and outreach. The CBC also monitors progress and fosters cooperation among diverse agencies to inspire collective action. Its members represent a broad spectrum of experiences, reflecting the diversity of Adams County, and ensuring that the strategies and solutions are inclusive and responsive to local needs.
Member Organizations
• Adams County Health Department
• Advocacy Network for Children
• American Red Cross Adams County
• Bella Ease
• Blessing Health
• Cheerful Home Child Care & Early Learning Center
• Clarity Healthcare
• Community for Christ Assistance Center
• Community Foundation
• Cornerstone Foundations for Families
• Early Childhood and Family Center
• Girls Scouts of Central Illinois
• Great River Economic Development Foundation
• Horizons
• John Wood Community College
• Quanada
• Quincy Catholic Charities
• Quincy Family YMCA
• Quincy Housing Authority
• Quincy Medical Group
• Quincy Public Schools
• Quincy University
• Quincy Young Life
• Regional Office of Education
• Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)
• Scouting America, MVC
• SIU Medicine
• The Moorman Foundation
• The Salvation Army
• Transitions of Western Illinois
• Trinity Church
• Two Rivers Regional Council of Public Officials
• United Way of Adams County
• Veterans Assistance Commission
• West Central Child Care Connection
• Workforce Development
• YWCA
COMMUNITY BUILDING COUNCIL: Behavioral Health Team
Jessica Peters (Transitions of Western Illinois)
Stacey Juilfs (Clarity Healthcare)
The goal of the Community Building Council Behavioral Health Team is to improve awareness, access and education of mental health and substance use disorder services.
Key strategies include raising awareness to normalize treatment and removing barriers to accessing these services.
Team Members
Dr. Mary Frances Barthel, Blessing Health; Tracy Bugh, Quincy Public Schools; Natalie Slater Cornwell, United Way of Adams County; Kathi Dooley, Community Member; Gabrielle Esselman, Bella Ease; Tara Hamann, Transitions of Western Illinois; Annette Heinecke, Blessing Health; Heidi Howard, The Salvation Army; Maggie Hoyt, Quincy Township General Assistance; Chuck Johnson, Blessing Health; Shandi Joubert-Kanz, Clarity Healthcare; Stacey Juilfs, Clarity Healthcare; Kris Kutcher, Community Member; Melissa McKelvie, Cornerstone Foundation for Families; Stacy Melton, SIU Medicine; Chattie Miranda, Adams County Health Department; Jessica Peters, Transitions of Western Illinois; Mark Philpot, Blessing Health; Julie Shepard, Blessing Health; Nikki Shields, Quincy Medical Group; Carrie Sohn, Regional Office of Education; Raymond Steadman, Horizons Addicts Victorious; Selena Stegeman, Quincy Medical Group; Ellen McIntyre, Quanada; Ellen Vonderheide, Adams County Health Department; Johanna Voss, Adams County Health Department; Kim Wheelock, Chaddock
Community Building Council: Housing Team
Jerry Gille (Quincy Housing Authority)
Kyle Moore (Great River Economic Development Foundation)
The goal of the Community Building Council Team is to increase the number of residents in affordable, safe, and livable housing.
Key strategies include identifying the availability of affordable housing units in Adams County and increasing access while removing barriers for low-income residents.
Team Members
Bret Austin, ACB/All Phase Property; Dr. Mary Frances Barthel, Blessing Health; Natalie Slater Cornwell, United Way of Adams County; Elaine Davis, Two Rivers Regional Council of Public Officials; Kent Embree, Community Foundation; Marla Ferguson, Housing Solutions; Jerry Gille, Quincy Housing Authority; Carol Harlow, Transitions of Western Illinois; Heidi Howard, The Salvation Army; Maggie Hoyt, Quincy Township General Assistance; Chattie Miranda, Adams County Health Department; Kyle Moore, Great River Economic Development Foundation; Lacy Moore, SIU Medicine; Jason Parrot, City of Quincy; Mark Philpot, Quincy Human Rights Commission; Ryan Roberts, YWCA; Ali Scott, Transitions of Western Illinois; Julie Shepard, Blessing Health; Ellen Vonderheide, Adams County Health Department; Brittany Weise, Blessing Health; Dennis Williams, Bella Ease; Michelle Zech, Blessing Health
Community Building Council: Poverty Team
Blanche Shoup (Workforce Development)
Kaitlyn Shively (Clarity Healthcare)
The goal of the Community Building Council Poverty Team is to lift families out of poverty by fostering sustained financial stability.
Key strategies include increasing access to affordable childcare, enhancing financial literacy, including providing youth and young adults with individualized case management, programming, and offering transportation solutions for low-income community residents.
Team Members
Dr. Mary Frances Barthel, Blessing Health; Jasmine Blum, Adams County Health Department; Natalie Slater Cornwell, United Way of Adams County; Shelby Crow, University of Illinois Extension; Kent Embree, Community Foundation; Debbie Fitzgerald, Horizons; Monica Foster, John Wood Community College; Reggie Freel, United Way of Adams County; Carol Harlow, Transitions of Western Illinois; Dawn Hattey, SIU Medicine; Dennis Williams, Bella Ease; Heidi Howard, The Salvation Army; Maggie Hoyt, Quincy Township General Assistance; Howard Kirchner, Western Illinois Works; Kathryn McDaniel, Two Rivers Regional Council of Public Officials; Jeremy Oshner, Two Rivers Regional Council of Public Officials; Toni Park, Transitions of Western Illinois; Sharadan Parks, Quincy Public Schools; Julie Shepard, Blessing Health; Kaitlyn Shively, Clarity Healthcare; Blanche Shoup, Workforce Development; Sharon Tweedell, The Moorman Foundation; Ellen Vonderheide, Adams County Health Department; Brittany Weise, Blessing Health; Marla Willard, West Central Child Care Connection; Michelle Zech, Blessing Health.