Beauty supply drive helping survivors of domestic violence
'Our shelter goes off donations. So, a lot of times people aren't thinking about all the survivors we provide service to,' said Rachel Sizemore, program manager for the Countering Domestic Violence Program from Mid-Central Community Action.
The Neville House is a shelter for those escaping domestic violence. It's part of the countering domestic violence program which is an umbrella to Mid-Central Community Action.
'Our agency, all our services through the countering domestic violence program are free and confidential,' Sizemore said. 'So, that's specific to survivors in McLean County that have experienced domestic violence.'
The Neville House provides services for clients from different demographics. But the donations the shelter receives may not always match the need of the clientele.
'A lot of times our African-American clients, they are forgotten about when it comes to shelter and hair care needs,' said Sizemore. 'It wasn't too long ago that we had somebody in shelter that they didn't realize during an incident part of their hair got ripped out. So, we were searching for braids and hair care and treatment to try to assist them with masking those bald spots. And it was very limited.'
The Bloomington-Normal Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated has worked with the shelter to provide Christmas boxes for survivors. But when the chapter learned of the need for beauty supplies it was decided to host a drive beginning in March just in time for Women's History Month.
'As a sorority, one of our strategic priorities is to promote the economic empowerment of women and girls,' said Meta Mickens-Baker, President of the Bloomington-Normal Alumnae Chapter. 'So, supporting Neville House as women try to reestablish their safety and their independence after domestic violence really falls as a program that's close to us in our ability to support the community.'
This is the second year the organization has hosted the drive. In addition to supporting the economic empowerment of domestic violence survivors, the drive empowers a local black woman small business owner. The service organization teamed up with C&N Beauty Supply to collect items.'It helps your self-esteem. You know what I'm saying. Make you feel a little better. If you look good you feel good,' said co-owner Nate Caldwell.
'Being that they're going into these shelters with nothing, so being able to supply those personal needs and beauty needs to them I think it most definitely makes a difference to those in the shelter,' said co-owner Chiquita Caldwell.
You can shop at the store and leave products in a donation box. C&N Beauty Supply is located at 1305 Morrissey Drive.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Chicago Tribune
13 hours ago
- Chicago Tribune
Today in Chicago History: Stoning death of Eugene Williams triggers start of 1919 race riots
Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on July 27, according to the Tribune's archives. Is an important event missing from this date? Email us. From Halas to Hester: The 32 Chicago Bears inducted into the Pro Football Hall of FameWeather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago) 1919: Black teen Eugene Williams floated on a wooden tie past an invisible but mutually understood line that separated a Black beach at 29th Street from a white beach at 26th Street. White youths threw rocks at him, according to later investigations, and Williams, who could not swim, was hit and drowned. Although several people, white and Black, tried to revive Williams, a police officer at the 26th Street Beach was unwilling to arrest the rock throwers on the word of their Black accusers or to help Williams. Unequal justice proved to be the rule during the ensuing violence, until the four-day chaos finally was ended by the Illinois militia and a cooling rain. Williams is buried in Lincoln Cemetery in Blue Island. Vintage Chicago Tribune: Disasters!!!!! Crashes, fires, riots and more from Illinois history.1960: A Chicago Helicopter Airways chopper, on a shuttle flight between Midway and O'Hare International Airport, crashed in a Forest Park cemetery after one of its rotor blades broke off. The accident killed the two crewmen and 11 passengers, and was blamed on a metal fatigue fracture in the blade. The federal government mandated more frequent inspections of the component. 1970: Sears, Roebuck & Co. — then the world's largest retailer — announced plans to build the world's tallest building — 1,450 feet high with 110 stories. The Sears Tower opened in 1973, but was not completed until 1974. Willis Tower is no longer the tallest building in the world. But it's still a trendsetter as it turns 50 this 1,451-foot tower lost its crown as the world's tallest when it was surpassed in 1996 by Malaysia's Petronas Towers, and the American title in 2013 when New York City's One World Trade Center was completed. After decades of construction in Asian countries, it's now the 25th tallest in the world. 1970: A Sly and the Family Stone concert devolved into a riot. The show was supposed to be a goodwill offering, not only from city officials to the area's youths, but also from the band to the city to make up for more than one last-minute no-shows. Instead, the rock show disintegrated into a riot that injured 162 people, including 126 police officers. Thirty of those officers were hospitalized. Three young people were shot, though it wasn't clear by whom. Cars were overturned and set ablaze. Before its fury was exhausted, the mob rampaged through the Loop, breaking hundreds of windows and looting jewelry and department stores. Police arrested 160 people. 1982: Otto — a 450-pound gorilla who was the star of the 1976 documentary 'Otto: Zoo Gorilla' and named for disgraced former Illinois Gov. Otto Kerner — apparently scaled an 11-foot wall topped with electrical wires in an outdoor enclosure and escaped the Ape House at the Lincoln Park Zoo. He then lumbered north to the Primate House and climbed up a ramp to the Administration Building. He was sitting on the building's roof just above zoo Director Lester Fisher's office when veterinarian Tom Meehan hit Otto with tranquilizer darts. It took up to 10 zoo employees to place the gorilla on a stretcher and return him to the Ape House. Vintage Chicago Tribune: How Wrigley Field got lights and why Cubs fans had to wait past 8-8-88 to raise 'W' flag1983: After rejecting arguments that a permanent ban would be illegal, aldermen voted 42-2 to pass an ordinance — which did not name Wrigley Field or the Tribune-owned Chicago Cubs — making it illegal to conduct any sporting event between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. in a stadium that 'contains more than 15,000 seats where any such seats are located within 500 feet of 100 or more dwelling units.' 1993: The Smashing Pumpkins released 'Siamese Dream.' Singer-guitarist Billy Corgan told the Tribune: 'I'm writing albums for people of my generation, and if the rest of the world wants to listen, fine.' Subscribe to the free Vintage Chicago Tribune newsletter, join our Chicagoland history Facebook group, stay current with Today in Chicago History and follow us on Instagram for more from Chicago's past.
Business Insider
16 hours ago
- Business Insider
Top 10 African countries with the largest population of children in 2025
Africa continues to stand out as the world's youngest continent, with children under 18 making up more than half of the population in ten African countries, according to the latest 2025 population data. Africa is the youngest continent globally, with children under 18 composing over half of the population in several countries. The Central African Republic has the highest proportion of children at 56.2%, followed by Niger (53.3%) and Somalia (53%). By 2050, 40% of the world's children are projected to reside in Africa, highlighting the continent's potential This demographic trend underscores both the vast potential and the looming challenges tied to Africa's fast-growing children population. At the top of the list is the Central African Republic, where 56.2% of the population is under 18. Other countries with similar demographic structures include Niger (53.3%), Somalia (53.0%), and Mali (52.9%). Africa's demographic shift: Spotlight on children The data is based on estimates for 2025, as reported by Visual Capitalist in their overview of countries with the largest children population Country % under 18 No of Children under 18 Total Human Population Central African Republic 56.2% 3.1 Million 5.5 Million Niger 53.3% 14.9 Million 27 Million Somalia 53.0% 10.4 Million 19.7 Million Mali 52.9% 13.3 Million 25.2 Million Chad 52.7% 11.1 Million 21.0 Million Democratic Republic of Congo 52.5% 59.2 Million 112.8 Million Burundi 51.4% 7.4 Million 14.4 Million Mozambique 51.1% 18.2 Million 35.6 Million Angola 50.8% 19.8 Million 39.0 Million Uganda 50.2% 25. 8 Million 51.4 Million Although not among the top ten, Nigeria, Africa's most populous country has a significant young population. Approximately 45.5% of its 237 million citizens are under the age of 18, amounting to over 112 million children and adolescents, more than the total population of the Philippines, the world's 13th most populous country. Notably, while this proportion is lower than that of the countries on the top list, the absolute number is unmatched across the continent and has far-reaching implications for education, job creation, and political stability. Meanwhile, most African countries are experiencing population growth, but a few are beginning to show signs of stagnation or decline. Lesotho, with a population of about 2.2 million, is experiencing reduced fertility (2.5 births per woman) and sustained emigration. According to Worldometer, the population of Mauritius is approximately 1.3 million people, while Seychelles has around 132,905. Both countries are facing natural population decline due to low fertility rates of 1.4 and 1.5, respectively, alongside aging demographics. Tunisia, with a fertility rate of just 1.8, is below replacement level and contending with significant youth emigration. In Libya, which is home to around 6.8 million people, ongoing conflict has led to large-scale displacement and uncertain demographic trends. On the brighter side, while most of Europe and East Asia are confronting shrinking populations, UN forecasts suggest that by 2050, almost 40% of the world's children will live in Africa, driven by high fertility rates and falling child mortality. This emerging demographic weight has the potential to transform global economic and political dynamics. However, it will require sustained and strategic investment in infrastructure, human capital, and governance. Africa's youth represent both a critical opportunity and a pressing challenge. Countries that invest in inclusive policies, quality education, healthcare, and job creation are likely to harness this demographic advantage. For others, inaction could deepen inequality, unemployment, and social unrest. The future of the continent and perhaps the world, hinges on how Africa prepares for and empowers its next generation.
Miami Herald
a day ago
- Miami Herald
Zoo Miami's iconic ‘Lion King' Jabari euthanized at 17 years old. Here's why
Jabari wasn't just any old lion at Zoo Miami. He broke records, sired many children, became a local favorite and lived exponentially longer than his kin in the wild. After traveling from the Midwest to Miami when he was just a cub 17 years ago, Jabari was euthanized Friday afternoon, succumbing to his battle with arthritis. At 17 years old, he exceeded the normal lifespan of a wild male lion, which rarely live past the age of 12, Zoo Miami said in a statement. Jabari first arrived at the zoo in November 2008, along with his brother, Kwame, from the Racine Zoo in Wisconsin. Before their arrival, lions had been absent from Zoo Miami for nearly seven years. A true 'Lion King,' Jabari was the only adult lion in Zoo Miami's history to lead a pride and share a habitat with an adult female and cubs, some of whom were his. The historic feat garnered him thousands of fans who saw him and his pride in a rare sight. For the past few years, Jabari has suffered from chronic arthritis in his upper spine, limiting his movements. While he was receiving treatment, his mobility issues progressively worsened. Zookeepers said he was no longer comfortable. 'With all treatment options exhausted and no other path available for a cure or relief, the very difficult decision was made to euthanize him [Friday],' the zoo said. Lions are classified as 'threatened' in the wild, according to Zoo Miami, and are greatly affected by habitat loss and human conflict, as they share over 50% of their home in the wild with people. Zoo Miami funds Lion Landscapes, which helps protect wild lions, and works with other zoos and aquariums to save them and other animals from extinction. Flamingo chick hatches While Zoo Miami is saying goodbye to one old friend, keepers also announced Friday that one of four flamingo chicks has hatched. The Caribbean flamingo was artificially incubated for 28 days to avoid South Florida's extreme weather and predators. The three other eggs are still incubating. It's still unknown if the chick is a boy or a girl, but its parents are a 22-year-old female and a 10-year-old male. Zookeepers are currently feeding and attending to the chick, but when it develops its 'full feathering,' it will be introduced to the flock and can be seen by guests. The Caribbean or American flamingo is one of the largest and most brightly colored of all the flamingo species. It ranges from Mexico through the Caribbean and into South America. They feed on algae and a variety of aquatic invertebrates, which is where they get their salmon pink color.
