05-07-2010 | Building Connections for Positive Change
The Foundations of East Chicago have invested more than $32 million in East Chicago’s local non-profit agencies, churches, public libraries, city departments, public and private schools. We recognize many talents within those organizations and ushered them into a new age of grantmaking called “Collaboration Building.”
Today, the Foundation celebrates the great success these collaborating partnerships are accomplishing for our citizens and families. These partnerships introduce a better approach to address community concerns by relying on several coordinated agencies offering continuing services, thus providing stronger solutions which help more people.
People working together in new collaborative programs supported by FEC
These new collaborative programs include:
We’re Neighbors/Somos Vecinos – Creating and promoting social networks through beautification contests, dog walking, joint garage sales and safety prevention projects.
Please have a seat! – Creating small gathering places in homeowners’ front yards to enhance the neighborhood and encourage neighbor-to-neighbor support.
Moms Taking Charge – Assisting local, pregnant women and single mothers with young children by providing access to the support they need to build independent and healthy families.
Purdue University Calumet Educational Talent Search – Addresses the need to support academic preparedness and the importance of post secondary attainment
East Chicago Parent Community Academy – Offering a variety of courses in health and wellness, arts and culture, personal growth, resolving stress and strategies for supporting student success.
Project INSPIRE – Offering art enrichment, family support tools and financial direction for youth and families; and exposing children to the arts in multiple cultures.
Youth P.L.U.S. – Involving students in academic enrichment programs during non school hours to to improve standardized test scores, academic achievement,as well as promote character development and multi-cultural understanding.
Each collaborative program funded by the Foundation requires agency staff to work with the Foundation in building stronger networks between organizations possessing different expertise. The resulting programs provide much-needed services to our residents:
Students are improving their grade point averages
Families are receiving needed medical attention and social services
Graduates have greater opportunities for college advancement
Neighbors are working together to create a greater sense of pride and security
Families become stronger with courses focused to address their needs
The Foundations of East Chicago want a better East Chicago – Don’t you?
Need help? Want to help others? Here’s how to connect:
We’re Neighbors/Somos Vecinos – Contact: Keith Speaks (219) 844-1876
Moms Taking Charge – Contact: Cynthia Rivas (219) 397-6863 ext. 301
Project INSPIRE- Contact: Linda Eyermann (219) 836-1839 ext. 101
Youth P.L.U.S. – Contact: Pat Simes (219) 397-6441
Please, Have a Seat! – Contact: Keith Speaks (219) 844-1876
East Chicago Parent Community Academy – Contact: Carlyle Edwards (219) 218-4372
Purdue Educational Talent Search – Contact: Melvyn Harding (219) 989-2460
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