$25,000 city grant goes to Ivy Tech

Funds will go to Center for Civic Engagement to help Martha's House, Monroe County United Ministries and Girls Inc.

by Steve Hinnefeld
331-4374 | shinnefeld@heraldt.com
May 10, 2006

Faculty and students at Ivy Tech-Bloomington will develop and implement projects to assist three social service agencies with help from a $25,000 city grant.

Officials announced the initiative Tuesday at a City Hall news conference, saying it will help Girls Inc., Martha's House and Monroe County United Ministries.

Mayor Mark Kruzan said that the grant to Ivy Tech's Center for Civic Engagement reflects his belief that investing in social services is a form of economic development.

"Social service agencies not only break the cycle of poverty," he said. "They fuel the cycle of economic growth."

John Whikehart, chancellor of Ivy Tech Community College-Bloomington, said faculty will meet this summer with agency officials to assess their needs. Each agency will be matched with an Ivy Tech course or program that will provide technical assistance in 2006-07.

The $25,000, Whikehart said, will be used to pay part-time instructors so faculty can be freed to work with the agencies and purchase materials for the projects they develop. He said the approach meshes with the Center for Civic Engagement's approach of encouraging volunteerism, integrating service learning into the curriculum and promoting civic engagement.

Officials with the service agencies said Ivy Tech could help with updating strategic plans, designing new projects or other goals.

"I have no preconceived notions. I'm just excited about it," said Dorothy Granger, executive director of Girls Inc.

Girls Inc. provides recreational and educational programs for youth. Martha's House operates an emergency shelter for homeless adults. Monroe County United Ministries provides low-cost child care and emergency food and clothing assistance.

Funding for the grant comes from the controller's grant line in the city budget, Kruzan said. He said the news is third in his promise to unveil six community partnerships in 60 days.