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MEET OUR TEAM
At Ujima Retreat Center, our team is a reflection of our family and the local community partners who make this work possible. Together, we are committed to creating a space for healing, connection, and growth.
OUR FAMILY'S STORY
Our story is deeply rooted in Champaign County, where we have went to college, lived, worked, and served for many years.
In 2020, as the world grappled with a global pandemic, we found ourselves at a crossroads. Shanelle, a licensed clinical social worker, had been practicing in the area since 2012, supporting individuals and families through complex challenges. At the time, she was working as a mental health therapist and social worker, helping people navigate the overwhelming impact of COVID-19. Banio, a youth advocate and social services professional in the area since 2015, had been working at the Youth Assessment Center in Champaign, supporting young people involved in the legal system. Together, we reflected on what more we could do to create lasting change.
Through prayer, deep conversations, and long walks on nature trails, we envisioned a space where people could heal, reconnect, and build community. We wanted to create something that aligned with our skills and passions—something that would serve as a retreat from life’s stressors while providing mentorship, education, and restoration.
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Finding the right location was a journey in itself. Having lived in Champaign, Urbana, and Rantoul, we knew we wanted a space that felt truly immersive and healing—one with water, open space, and a natural retreat atmosphere. In February 2022, we found the perfect spot on High Cross Road, complete with a pond, pavilion, and outdoor lighting—everything we needed to start building our vision.
Just three months later, we launched our first camp for at-risk youth, setting the foundation for what would become Ujima Retreat Center. Since then, we have expanded our programming to support families, couples, and community-building efforts, always keeping our mission of collective care at the heart of everything we do.
OUR LOCAL PARTNERS
We believe in the power of community collaboration. The work of healing, growth, and transformation cannot be done alone. This is the essence of Ujima, a Swahili principle meaning collective work and responsibility.
Our local partners—mentors, educators, healers, and service providers—are actively engaged in creating positive change. We are honored to provide a space where their work can thrive and where individuals, families, and agencies can access the support they need.
OUR UJIMA HELPERS
At Ujima Retreat Center, our children play an essential role. Affectionately known as the “Ujima Helpers,” they help steward the grounds, co-host events, and lead activities for youth in our community. They remind us of the importance of Giving Back, building a safe community, education, entrepreneurship, legacy-building, and creating a future for the next generation. Our hope is that they, too, will carry this work forward for years to come.
LOOKING AHEAD
Ujima Retreat Center is more than just a space—it is a living, breathing vision for collective healing and community empowerment. As we continue to grow, we remain dedicated to fostering an environment where people can rest, learn, heal, and build a better future together.
We invite you to join us on this journey. Together, we are Ujima.