May 09 2022 0comment

Strong Neighborhoods Council Awards Over $66,000 in Neighborhood Improvement Mini-Grants to the Community

The United Way of the Wabash Valley’s Strong Neighborhoods Council is awarding over $66,000 in funding for Neighborhood Improvement Project mini-grants across the community.  This is the second round of this community investment for the council whose goal is to create a positive impact for struggling working families in the Wabash Valley by investing in programs and initiatives that provide our community with safe, vibrant, and inclusive neighborhoods.

The Neighborhood Improvement Project mini-grant program focuses on projects that are intended to enhance the “look and feel” of a neighborhood by addressing public safety, beautification projects, blight elimination, and/or government-service improvements or a combination of any of these categories.  The Council is awarding 14 projects across the Wabash Valley with awards ranging from $1,600 to $5,000.  The projects address a variety of areas and needs including creating neighborhood gathering areas, addressing safety concerns, and investing in neighborhood beautification.  Award winners include:

  • 3 Sisters Investments – Light up Locust St. with The LAB – support of exterior lighting and improvements to the LAB.
  • 14th and Chestnut Community Center – Playground improvement – new mulch, fence, and playground features.
  • Bloomingdale Friends Church – Disc Golf Course – supports the creation of a new 9-hole disc golf course.
  • Chances and Services for Youth – Booker T. Washington Park Splash Pad – drainage improvements to the existing splash pad.
  • City of Sullivan Parks Department – Sullivan City Park Bandstand – renovations including new picture windows and landscaping.
  • Crossroads Disc Golf Club – Forest Park Disc Golf Course Renewal – support of the renovation of a disc golf course in Forest Park including new baskets and tee pads.
  • Farrington’s Grove Historical District – Beautification days – support for the neighborhoods established beautification day projects.
  • Maryland Community Church – Hope Week Neighborhood Repairs – beautification and home improvements to 6 elderly, disabled, or low-income homeowners.
  • Poland Community Lions Club – Lions Park – supports park renovations including revitalizing the basketball court, mulch, and playground improvements.
  • Reach Services – Pathways Day Center – beautification and landscaping for the new Pathways Day Center
  • Society of Trash Baggers – Love Where you Live – provides a lending library for reacher/grabber tools and gloves to support beautification efforts.
  • Town of Mecca – Mecca Pride – Firehouse beautification with decals and flagpole replacement.
  • Terre Haute Association of Realtors – Spencer Park Blacktop Camp – supports a one-week summer camp at Spencer Ball Park including family and tournament experiences.
  • Youth Mentor Group of Vigo County YMCA – Fairbanks Park beautification project – murals, mulch, seating, and more around the YMCA and park.

Carey LaBella, co-chair of the United Way’s Strong Neighborhood Council stated that “This Spring the Strong Neighborhood Council was blown away by the response from community organizations who were inspired by last year’s neighborhood investments and put the time and effort into thinking of ways to invest in their own neighborhoods. We received double the number of projects from the first round. Our volunteer project reviewers had a tough time but narrowed the applicants to 14 projects that best aligned with our goals to improve the safety, appeal, and feel of the community.  These projects are a great example of neighbors working together to elevate their communities.”

Richard Payonk, Executive Director of the United Way of the Wabash Valley explained, “We were thrilled at the response to this investment opportunity and are pleased that we are able to invest in neighborhood projects across the Wabash Valley.  The Strong Neighborhoods Council is working hard to continue community building and I look forward to their upcoming plans and seeing these great projects come to life over the next few months.”

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