PEORIA MAGAZINE October 2023

These trial-lawyer groups recognize attorneys who have won million- and multi-million-dollar verdicts, awards and settlements. Founded in 1993, the organization has recognized fewer than 1% of U. S. lawyers.

and prizes will be given for costumes. Sponsorship opportunities also are available. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Tri-County Peoria Urban League Young Professionals pro gram. More details are available from Kourtney Ramsey at info@peoriacham ber.org. Register at bit.ly/44nKnGQ. The Peoria Area World Affairs Council will host Ukraine, Russia and the Future of the World , starting at 5 p.m. on Thurs day, Oct. 12 at the Hayden Clark Alumni Center and the Michel Student Center at Bradley University. The event will feature Dr. Fiona Hill, former national security advisor for Russia and Eastern Europe, and William Taylor, former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine. Dinner will include traditional Ukrainian dishes. Learn more at www.pawac.org. The Pediatric Resource Center (PRC) will hold its annual fall gala, Hope for Kids , at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21 at the Jump Trading Simulation and Education Center on the OSF St. Francis Medical Center campus. The PRC is celebrat ing 30 years of providing child-friendly specialized medical and social services to child victims of abuse and neglect. For more info, call 309-624-9595 or visit peoria.medicine.uic.edu/about/ patient-care/prc/. Registration is open for the 33rd Annual FOLEPI River Trail Classic on Satur day, Nov. 25 on the River Trail of Illinois. The point-to-point downhill run/walk is open to men, women and children of all ages and features a 4-mile competitive run at 9 a.m. and a 2-mile non-compet itive walk at 8:30 a.m. Registration is at cityofeastpeoria.com/584/FOLEPI-Riv er-Trail-Classic. The Pediatric Resource Center will host its annual fundraising gala, “ Hope for Kids ,” starting at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21 at the Jump Simulation and Educa tion Center, 1306 N. Berkeley Ave., Peoria. Tickets are $100 each and can be re served at go.uic.edu/HopeforKids2023. For further information, call 309-624-995 or email prcinfo@uic.edu. This annual

event helps PRC ensure that its clinics are staffed with specially trained providers and child protection specialists so that children can receive the child-friendly medical services that are crucial to their health and safety. Additionally, funds raised help PRC to provide education to area physicians, nurses and other part ners regarding prevention efforts and child abuse/neglect concerns. Please feel free to visit PRC's web and Facebook pages at www.pediatricresourcecenter. org and www.facebook.com/Pediatric ResourceCenter. NEWS YOU CAN USE Peoria Mayor Rita Ali has launched the Peoria Role Model Project, an initiative designed to inspire and empower 150 local youth by connecting them with local Black professionals who will serve as mentors. The inaugural group was chosen from the Mayor’s Summer Youth and Internship Program. The project is funded through a grant from the PNC Foundation . Medica , a nonprofit health plan sys tem operating across the Midwest and serving members in 12 states, is ex panding in the Illinois market this fall in collaboration with OSF HealthCare . Pending regulatory approval, Medicare Advantage plans from Medica will be available for selection during Medicare’s annual enrollment period, Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. Medicare-eligible residents in DeWitt, Marshall, McLean, Peoria, Stark, Tazewell and Woodford counties can enroll in the plans. Also pending regu latory approval, WellFirst Health from SSM Health Plan will revise its name to Medica Central Health Plan (Medica). Bradley University’s Peoria NEXT Innovation Center and the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center are partnering to reduce costs for startup businesses. IMEC has committed to cover the initial three months of a one year lease at Peoria NEXT for up to four eligible manufacturing startups, saving organizations as much as $4,800. These startups will also have access to Peo ria NEXT’s collaborative environment and community of fellow researchers, inventors and entrepreneurs. Learn more at imec.org.

Lauren Monk , a freshman agriculture business stu dent at Heartland Com munity College , is one of 55 recipients in the U.S and Canada of a $2,000 Growmark Foundation

scholarship for promising students in agriculture and business. She was chosen from more than 500 applicants.

Heartland Community College stu dent Aurora (Rose) Carina has been named a Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar by the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Carina is one of only 213 Phi Theta Kappa members nationwide to receive the $1,000 scholarship. More than 1,000 applications were received. GRANTS AND GIFTS Dream Center Peoria , a faith-based nonprofit dedicated to impacting fami lies living in poverty, has been awarded a $100,000 microgrant from Meridian Health Plan of Illinois to renovate its outdoor playground and fitness center. Funds also will be used for the organiza tion’s shelter operations and mobile units. UPCOMING EVENTS Have fun and socialize with young professionals from across the area at the Villains vs. Heroes Costume Bash , sponsored by the Young Professionals Organization of Greater Peoria from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13 at Peoria’s Dozer Park. Each $40 ticket includes a drink ticket (cashless bar), heavy ap petizers and entertainment. Awards

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