Latest news with #WestSideLeadershipAcademy
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘This Is a Jewel in Our Own Community,' Residents Say as Preserve Gets $400K Upgrade
A Gary nature preserve will soon be getting a facelift. Tucked behind what may seem like one of the city's many wooded areas is the Ivanhoe South Preserve, a sanctuary of wetland, unique plant life, and a globally rare dune-and-swale habitat just off Seventh Avenue and Colfax Street. Despite its vast landmass, the preserve sits as a jewel rarely visited by those in its surrounding backed by $400,000 in funding, the preserve will receive major upgrades. Improvements range from a sidewalk linking the park to West Side Leadership Academy, half a mile away, to educational signs, an expanded parking lot, boardwalks, and a new gathering space.'I've always wondered what they were doing because I sometimes see folks parked over there,' said Jared Benard, who lives two blocks from the preserve and attended Monday's announcement. 'They said they have hikes. I'd like to participate in one … I think it's a good thing that they're preserving this area.' The land, originally set to be a subdivision that was never developed, was purchased in parcels by The Shirley Heinze Land Trust, which was founded in 1981. Since that time the land trust has pieced together 250 lots to create the 53-acre preserve. Although the preserve has been open to the public for years, leadership at Shirley Heinze trust were looking for ways to make it more accessible as an asset for the neighborhood and the entire city. 'We're committed to connecting people to nature, and a few years ago we found a perfect opportunity to pursue funding through the Northwest Indiana Forum and the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative,' said Kris Krouse, executive director of the Shirley Heinze Land Trust. 'Our goal was to connect neighbors and students from West Side Leadership Academy by building a sidewalk from Ivanhoe South to the high school.' After securing the READI grant, the land trust needed $200,000 in matching funds, which it secured with a $50,000 award from the Legacy Foundation's John S. and James L. Knight donor-advised fund and $150,000 from American Water Charitable Foundation's Water and Environmental Grant program, a philanthropic nonprofit established by American Water. Mayor Eddie Melton praised the collaborative partnerships and recalled his own experiences learning about nature in the region. 'I remember going on field trips to Deep River, and they would teach us about the monarch butterfly and everything about Northwest Indiana from a natural perspective,' he said. 'So I'm extremely excited; this investment will strengthen our city's connection to the environment and improve the quality of life for our residents.' State Senator Mark Spencer, a 33-year educator, highlighted the opportunities on the horizon for students, particularly those right around the corner at West Side. 'I am excited about the opportunity for our young people to engage in all that's being offered in this wonderful natural forest, especially the biology classes,' he said. 'Ivanhoe South stands as a sanctuary between neighborhood and industry and it's now becoming even more, it's a classroom without walls.' Legacy Foundation President and CEO Kelly Anoe highlighted disparities in access to green space, especially in communities like Gary. 'Not all people and not all neighborhoods have the same access to nature and maintained green space especially in those that are underserved,' she said. According to Jeff Berglund of Berglund Construction, the project is expected to start in the coming weeks and will be completed by September. Barbara Freeman, a resident and board member of the land trust, brought her friend Ethel Fields, who had never visited the preserve.'I love it,' Fields said as Freeman guided her through the trail. 'We're so used to seeing abandoned areas,' Freeman said. 'We have to promote this. This is a jewel in our own community.' The post 'This Is a Jewel in Our Own Community,' Residents Say as Preserve Gets $400K Upgrade appeared first on Capital B Gary.
Chicago Tribune
28-04-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Community news: DAR Good Citizen finalist, Gary Community Engagement Series, annual plant sale
Dana Abbring selected as DAR Good Citizen finalist Dana Abbring of Morgan Township High School has been selected as an Indiana State finalist for the DAR Good Citizen contest, according to a release from the DAR's William Henry Harrison chapter. Abbring will be honored at the DAR State Conference in May and will receive her award and chapter cash prize at her school's senior honors night. Abbring is the daughter of Steven and Heather Abbring and plans to study materials engineering in the fall. Other outstanding students chosen as Good Citizens for the 2024-25 school year are: Kayla Pleasant, Portage High School; Kelly Swickard, Chesterton High School; Page Hein, Washington Township High School; Patrick Wood, Kouts High School; and Reagan Cole, Hebron High School. Gary Schools to host Family and Community Engagement Series West Side Leadership Academy will host the next installment of 'F.A.C.E. It' (Family and Community Engagement), a series of conversations for families and school community stakeholders who want to get involved with the Gary Schools, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday in the Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Room B-120 at West Side Leadership Academy, 900 Gerry St. The topic will be 'Special Populations – Parent Impact,' which aims to equip parents with the resources to support their children with special needs. For added convenience, the program will be streamed on Facebook Live, ensuring accessibility for families who are unable to attend in person. The discussion will be led by Special Education Teacher Kimberly Mead and will feature guest speakers Judge Inga Lewis-Shannon of Project Rebuild and Quiana Davis, a district parent who will share her personal experiences and insights on educating a child with special needs. They will provide guidance for parents who may need assistance with navigating and advocating for their children. Space is limited; participants are encouraged to RSVP by contacting the West Side Leadership Academy FACE Liaison, Lanonya Sombright-Jackson at 219-413-9870, Ext. 48003. For more information about the Special Populations division of the district, visit Spring Community Wellness Fair coming to IU Northwest Indiana University Northwest College of Health and Human Services will be hosting the 2025 Spring Community Wellness Fair from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday in IU Northwest's Savannah Center gymnasium on the north side of the main campus, near 33rd Avenue and Broadway, Gary. The fair is open to the public. Methodist Hospitals, Community HealthNet and Marram Health will be offering free health screenings for ages 18 and over, including Afib checks; blood pressure checks; BMI checks; heart attack and stroke risk assessments; HIV screenings; hepatitis C screenings; and behavioral health screenings. Free blood tests include: A1C; blood glucose; cholesterol, HDL, LDL (12-hour fast required); and PSA for men. Parking is free during the event. Register at For questions, call 888-909-3627. Nelson's Port-A-Pit Chicken fundraiser to benefit Family Promise Family Promise of Porter County is now selling tickets for their Nelson's Port-A-Pit Chicken Fundraiser. Buy a succulent half chicken, smoked to perfection using Nelson's Port-A-Pit® and signature seasoning for $10 or a half chicken with Nelson's perfectly roasted Pit-Tatoes for $15.00. Stop by the Family Promise office in the Portage Township Resource Center, 3484 Airport Road, Portage, 1st Source Bank, 6043 Central Ave., Portage, Portage Township YMCA, 3100 Willowcreek Road, Portage, or First Merchant's Bank, 855 Thornapple Way, Valparaiso, to purchase tickets; or call the Family Promise office at 219-220-2054 to make arrangements. Orders will be ready for pickup between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on May 10 at Willowcreek Middle School, 5962 Willowcreek Road, Portage. Chicken will be sold as long as supply lasts. Family Promise of Porter County is a nonprofit organization committed to helping families experiencing homelessness and financial hardship. For questions or more information contact Family Promise at 219-220-2054 or visit Franciscan Health, partners bring Move With the Mayor to Michigan City Franciscan Health Michigan City is partnering with the City and the National Forum for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention for a new initiative in May and June aimed at helping residents get moving to improve their overall health and well-being. Move with the Mayor will take place on Saturday at Krueger Memorial Park, 801 Liberty Trail; May 24 at Pullman Field Park, 550 W. Fourth St.; May 31 at Water Tower Park, 301 Broadway St. and June 14 at the Michigan City Police Department at 1201 E. Michigan Blvd. Registration begins on-site at 10:30 a.m. followed by a brief health talk by a physician or clinical staff member and a variety of physical activities. The events are free and open to the public. Incentives and giveaways will be available to participants as well. More information is with Nila Williams at Household hazardous waste, tire collection event The Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County will host a Household Hazardous Waste Collection from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Porter County Expo Center, 215 E. Division Road, Valparaiso. Enter through Gate 3. Residents can safely dispose of products containing corrosive, toxic, ignitable or reactive substances. Common household hazardous waste items include anti-freeze, motor oil, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, paints, deck stains, pool chemicals, pesticides and household smoke detectors. All paints, including latex, will be accepted at collection events throughout 2025. Visit to view the complete list of accepted items. This event also will feature a tire collection service. Residents can bring up to four tires under 20 inches for free. Tires over 20 inches will incur a fee. All tires, with or without rims, are welcome. For more information on District events, call 219-465-3694 or email info@ Lake County Master Gardeners annual plant sale The 24th Annual Lake County Master Gardeners Plant Sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 10 at the Fine Arts Building, Lake County Fairgrounds, 889 S. Court St., Crown Point. Many plants are purchased from commercial growers to satisfy home gardening needs, while even more are grown and offered by the Lake County Master Gardeners. Plants include annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs, native plants, houseplants, hanging baskets, bulbs, shrubs and trees. All plants are labeled. Master Gardeners will be available to answer any question. The Sale also includes mini-presentations on gardening topics and a 'Trash to Treasures' area where 'gently-used' gardening items can be purchased. Gardening demos will take place at 11 a.m. Proceeds from the Plant Sale help fund the Lake County Master Gardener Scholarship and Grant programs. For more information, visit email lakecountymastergardeners@ or call 219-755-3240.
