Mid Central Community Action

In Part 3 of WGLT's series on domestic violence in McLean County, you'll hear from victims about how they navigated the system and advocated for themselves.

WGLT reviewed more than 100 police reports from this year involving allegations that someone violated an order of protection. Most never lead to criminal charges. And sometimes, prosecutors undercharged – pursuing a misdemeanor count when someone was seemingly eligible for a more serious felony, WGLT found.

It's getting harder, not easier, to find housing in Bloomington-Normal, according to an updated report from the McLean County Housing Coalition on area housing and homelessness.

A Bloomington-based nonprofit and lead for a federal program geared toward ending homelessness missed a grant application deadline. Now, McLean County social services organizations are feeling the effects of missed funding opportunities.

Fresh off a rebranding, the Bloomington nonprofit Mid Central Community Action has doubled-down on its three lines of business – countering domestic violence, combating homelessness, and promoting financial stability.

Bloomington-Normal has a housing shortage. It's a recurring issue, and there are hosts of people waiting in the wings for their shot at making the community their home.

Heartland Community College renovated space leased from Mid Central Community Action to set up an instructional site that will open this fall.

The position, jointly funded with the City of Bloomington for a two-year period, will help people navigate housing assistance programs and coordinate resources so they can compete in a housing market where properties sell quickly.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, though raising awareness and preventing abuse year-round is the focus of Mid Central Community Action in Bloomington.

Government officials in Bloomington-Normal still have over half of the emergency funding they received for rent and utility assistance last summer.