CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) — In the heart of Champaign’s north side sits the Douglass Annex, located at 804 North 5th Street. A modest facility operated by the Champaign Park District, it features a kitchen, craft room, computer lab, and open gathering space. One of the many things that truly brings the building to life is the warm, infectious presence of Desiree’ Drain — a woman who radiates welcome, compassion, and purpose from the moment you walk through the door.

Desiree’ is the ACC AmeriCorps Member and a Champaign County Digital Navigator. For the past two years, she’s been a force for connection at the Annex and beyond. Whether she’s fixing a laptop, guiding someone through an online job application, or helping them season a dish just right, Desiree brings people together with a smile and a simple, powerful question: “What do you need?”

“What Do You Need?” — A Motto That Builds Bridges

Desiree’ doesn’t just ask this question. She lives it. For her, “What do you need?” isn’t a polite phrase or a customer service script — it’s a mission. It’s the starting point of every conversation, every class, and every interaction. She sees herself as a “bridge maker,” someone who helps people cross from frustration to understanding, from feeling lost in the digital world to feeling seen, heard, and capable.

She’s not just a tech helper or class leader — though she is both of those things, exceptionally so. She’s a listener, a connector, and a believer in people’s potential.

Mondays and Tuesdays at Martens: Tech, Cooking, and Connection

Early in the week, Desiree’ can be found at the Martens Center at 1515 North Market Street, just a few blocks away. Mondays and Tuesdays are full ones for her there.

The mornings might start with Tech Time, a drop-in session where community members bring in their phones, tablets, laptops, or any other device. Desiree’ patiently walks them through settings, updates, and internet safety, helping them get connected and stay protected. She explains how to avoid scams, which apps are worth using, and what kind of upgrade — if any — they really need. “You don’t have to do what the world does,” she often tells folks. “You need what works for you.”

Later in the day, the kitchen fills with laughter, questions, and the smells of something new. That’s when the Food Exploration Group begins. Not quite a cooking class, and certainly not a competition, Desiree’ leads the group as they experiment together. She pulls ideas from YouTube videos, discusses flavor swaps and cultural inspirations, and reminds everyone that you can be an “amateur chef” or a “gourmet chef” — but either way, the kitchen is yours to explore.

Wednesdays at Strides Shelter: Showing Up When It Matters Most

By midweek, Desiree’ shifts her focus to the Strides Shelter, where the work becomes even more personal and often more urgent. She helps residents send emails to family members to let them know they’re safe. She helps them log in to bank accounts, check balances, fill out job applications, and complete housing paperwork.

Sometimes, her help leads to life-changing outcomes. One man came to her needing help building a resume. They sat down together, got it written, formatted, and sent off. Just two weeks later, he landed a full-time job at Parkland College.

“That’s why I do this,” she says. “Sometimes people just need someone to sit with them and believe in them for an hour.”

Thursdays at the Douglass Annex: Laptops, Laughter, and Learning

Thursdays bring Desiree’ back home to the Douglass Annex. The atmosphere is part community center, part tech lab, part living room. The music plays, people drift in with laptops and phones in hand, and the smell of something delicious might still linger from an earlier potluck.

Here, she helps with everything from creating spreadsheets to setting up email addresses. She talks about digital wellness and the importance of online safety — especially for older adults, who are often the most targeted by scams. She teaches them how to spot a phishing link, how to manage passwords, and how to stay protected without feeling overwhelmed.

The Annex also offers space for crafts, painting, cards, and games.

Fridays: A Day for Special Events and New Ideas

Fridays are reserved for what Desiree’ calls her “floating day.” Sometimes she’s proctoring the Northstar Digital Literacy exams, helping people get certified in basic digital skills. Other times, she’s hosting special programs like the Korean Book Club, organizing events, or meeting one-on-one with someone who needs a little extra time and attention.

A Journey That Started with an Odyssey

Desiree’s own path to this work started in earnest in March 2022, when she enrolled in the Odyssey Project through the University of Illinois. It was a digital navigator training program that gave her not only new skills, but a place to grow. She ate in the residence halls and learned from faculty and peers who helped shape her vision of what digital access could look like in real life.

Now, she brings that vision to every corner of her community.

Bonfires, Buns, and Building Community

Her reach doesn’t stop with the Park District buildings. Desiree’ also works with the Urbana Park District on special events like Bonfire and Buns — casual, cozy gatherings that mix community bonding with digital support. She’s also actively seeking tech-savvy volunteers who can donate an hour or two a week to support her work.

“We need people who can meet folks where they are,” she says. “It’s not about being a genius — it’s about being patient and kind.”

Eight Kids, Endless Energy, and a Life of Purpose

Outside of her public work, Desiree’ is a mother to eight children, ranging in age from 3 to 18. Her background in merchandising has served her well in both home and work life — and now her oldest child wants to follow in her footsteps.

“I want them to see that helping people is worth it,” she says. “That showing up makes a difference.”

A Community Leader With Heart

After two years at the Douglass Annex, Desiree’ Drain has become more than a staff member. She’s become a face they trust, and a heart that never stops asking, “What do you need?”

Whether she’s teaching someone how to build a spreadsheet, roast a vegetable, or avoid a scam, she meets every person exactly where they are. And from there, she helps them cross the bridge to something better.

Douglass Annex: 804 N. 5th Street, Champaign, IL, https://champaignparks.org/places/douglass-annex

Martens Center, 1515 N. Market Street, Champaign, IL, https://champaignparks.org/places/martens-center

UC2B Digital Navigator Program, https://www.uc2b.net/digital-navigator