It is time to get ready for the Annual Poster Contest:  “What home means to me?” sponsored by the Illinois NAHRO (National Association  of Housing & Redevelopment Officials.)  The poster contest provides an wonderful opportunity for children residing in affordable housing and community developments to reflect the national theme of “What Home Means to Me.” This is an important way for the children of our communities to have their voices heard with policy makers at all levels. 

Youth who submit posters must be in grades K-12. The age selection categories are as follows: Elementary: K to 5th grade; Middle: 6th to 8th grade; and High: 9th to 12 grade.

Winners of the state contest entries will be submitted by IL NAHRO council for the regional competition.  The eight regional councils will then select three winners—one from each age category—and will forward those winners to the national competition in Washington, D.C. 

National honorees will be selected by a panel of judges assembled by NAHRO staff.  National honorees will be announced during Housing America Month in October.

The grand prize cover winner will receive an iPad and a framed copy of their original artwork.  The cover winner and one legal guardian will also receive a tour of Capitol Hill and attend NAHRO’s Washington Conference in Washington, D.C. where he or she will be honored.  The 12 national winners will each receive a $100 Visa gift card.  

Any of our Carroll Apartments children interested in this wonderful opportunity should contact the CCHA office at 815-273-7081, as soon as possible, for the poster contest entry rules, and poster application.  The deadline for submission of posters is Monday, March 18, 2024, by 5:00pm. 

Planning personal goals for the new year gives you a sense of direction for how you want the coming months to go.  While you don’t always have to wait for the new year to begin change, it can be helpful to view a new year as a good opportunity for a turning point in your life. 

What’s evening more important, is making sure you set habits that will ultimately drive you toward meeting new goals.  Setting the goal is only on piece of the pie.  The habits you partake in to reach these goals is where the real work comes in. 

Consistency is important for any goal you set this year.  Motivation can and will fade as the year goes on, and it’s possible you may not stick to all your goals from now until December.  It’s a good idea to keep a planner, either digital or physical, where you can schedule things like regular workouts, business planning, or whatever small steps are necessary to reach your big goals.

After each month passes, reflect on it.  What were your high points, and low points?  How did you feel and what can you do to change the negative?  Create the habits necessary to achieve your goals.  In order to follow through to achieve your goals, you have to put in the work.  Where does the work come from?  Your habits!