By being allowed to work in the community, Urbana ATC residents are able to pay part of their medical expenses, send support to their families, pay state and federal taxes and prepare for their release by saving a portion of their earnings. In addition, residents also help pay for their room and board. In addition to working in the community, residents are permitted and encouraged to participate in a wide variety of community service programs. Some of the projects residents participated in during FY95 included assisting the City of Decatur in the Decatur Celebration, cleanup for the Taste of Champaign Celebration, provided maintenance for Men's Winter Shelter, assisted the Eastern Illinois Food Bank, Salvation Army, Arthritis Foundation and the Humane Society. Residents also held car washes through Correctional Employment Service with proceeds going to the Frances Nelson Health Care Center.
Residents often participate in individual volunteer projects.
Many choose to work at the Eastern Illinois Food Bank where they load and unload trucks, stock shelves or assist with cleanup projects. Residents also have done volunteer work at the Salvation Army Homeless Shelter while others chose to work in the kitchen. One of the favorite volunteer projects is working with animals at the local Humane Society. Other areas where residents volunteer their time are the Champaign County Nursing Home, Crusaders Church, Canaan Baptist Church, Cunningham Children's Home and the Urbana Park District. Staff at Urbana also volunteer their time and work alongside the residents in many of the above projects.