About Us

In January 2020, a Howard G. Buffett Foundation (HGBF) gift of $2.48 million funded the creation of an eight-year project to promote deeper civic engagement.   The Jerry J. Dawson Civic Leadership Institute (DCLI) seeks to ensure that students are aware of and develop a deeper understanding of what civic engagement is and how to contribute their talents to impact in the community they know, as well as understand their rights and responsibilities as members of a society.   

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The Institute is the namesake of retired Macon County, Illinois, Sheriff Jerry J. Dawson, whose thoughtful nature and approach to service left a positive imprint on local public safety during his 30-year career. Following retirement in 2008, Sheriff Dawson served as an Adjunct Instructor of Criminal Justice at the former Decatur Area Technical Academy and Richland Community College. His personal sense of investment in the community informed his eight years as a City Councilman, where he approached decision-making with an eye on what treats all citizens most fairly.  Jerry Dawson not only embodies the spirit of those who serve their communities; he also represents a positive figure for young people to emulate, modeling essential behaviors for students to adopt as they become productive members of our society. 

 

Since its creation in 2020, the Jerry J Dawson Civic Leadership Institute has instituted a successful residential and non-residential CNA program, graduating 73 licensed CNAs who are working and contributing to their communities in an impactful way, or have leveraged their credential to attend college or pursue careers in healthcare. Many have since furthered their careers in healthcare through continued education and study to become RNs, Healthcare Administrators, and EMTs.  

 

In addition, more than 500 students and community members have been exposed to careers in public safety and law enforcement through the DCLI Public Safety camps, not only exposing students to careers in law enforcement, but also developing a deeper understanding of police/community relations and challenges which many in the public are rarely exposed.  

 

Programs in DCLI have also placed over 100 students in challenging internships to date within the Decatur and Macon County community, exposing them to workforce culture and responsibilities. In addition, many of the students have since gained meaningful and permanent employment in areas of municipal government and services, media and journalism, and small business entrepreneurship. 

 

In continual support of the program. DCLI's funding from the Howard G Buffett Foundation approached $3.0 million as a result of program expansion over the first five years.