A Vermilion County organization in Danville, Ill. is grieving the death of a cherished staff member. Her coworkers shared that she spread positivity and joy even while receiving hospice care.

Project Success shared on Facebook that Emily Long passed away on Saturday after battling cancer for several months. Emily served as the Site Coordinator for Salt Fork Schools, delivering after-school programs to students in her home community of Catlin.

Colleagues noted she joined the Salt Fork program during a crucial period and played a significant role in revitalizing it. With her guidance, enrollment soared from 20 to 130 students, and the program expanded its reach to all three schools in the district instead of just one.

Staff said they could never replace Long and that the community lost someone who always brought positive energy to everything she did.

“She had such a huge impact on the community. And we knew every day she was doing amazing job,” said Mackenzie Woods, Project Success Lead Coordinator. “But we just keep hearing from family, and from staff, from students that were there, that have graduated. Just how much of an impact Emily made on them.”

“They’ve all been reaching out to us, making sure we’re doing ok and just all the kind words they said about her,” Mackenzie added. “Vermilion County in general has been so supportive with helping with costs, funeral expenses, everything.”

Project Success shared one of those stories in their eulogy on Facebook, written by Long:

“I had a boy enroll a couple of years ago and when he started, he was very angry and constantly getting in trouble. He was used to people judging him before getting to know him. I made it my mission to get him to open up,” Long said. “I talked to him daily. When he got in trouble, I sat him down to hear ‘his side’ of the story. We went over things he should have done differently.”

“Before I knew it, he was walking up to me and telling me how he kept his anger in check and was thrilled when I would tell him how proud I was. He’s very rarely in trouble now at program or in school, tries to do well on tests and homework because we hold him accountable, and is trying to prepare for a better future for himself,” Long continued. “He also had a parent incarcerated, and we were able to support him through that as well. He has made many friends at Project Success, which was something that was a struggle before due to his anger issues and home life.”

Employees said Long continued to help out at work, even when her illness worsened. In fact, they said she was at a meeting last week.

“Our Project Success family will deeply miss Emily,” staff wrote on Facebook. “As we continue our mission, we will carry her spirit with us –always remembering her remarkable contributions and the countless lives she changed forever.”