Tips and Tactics on Prevention of Human Trafficking

Human trafficking is considered modern day slavery. Human trafficking is both a criminal act and human rights violation that affects individuals and communities worldwide. Human trafficking is believed to be the third largest criminal activity in the world. It is an increasing concern and social workers require training on the latest knowledge to provide informed services. The students who participated in this immersive learning experience gained an in-depth, hands-on knowledge of the real-world concerns of human trafficking victims. They also gained a new respect for the collaboration of agencies that are providing service for human trafficking victims. With the community partner, the students researched and developed a training manual and protocol to assist social workers in supporting human trafficking victims.

Spring 2019

Faculty Mentor: Ronald Dolon
Department: Social Work
Community Partner: A Better Way
Students: Madeline Bailey, Kiabeth Barrera, Mary Burns, Marlena Cox, Christina Davidson, Blair Earnest, Shawntia Gramelspacher-Zehr, Kerri Hogue, Sydney Husar, Alyse Jenkins, Katherine Jenkins, Mariah Jenks, Karlee Miller, Jackie Nordmann, Monica Nowicki, Alaina Parks, Taylor Petruska, Emma Pierson, Joseph Polizzotto, Jessica Reed, Rylee Reed, Alyssa Romack, Kelsey Spridgeon, Mackenzie Stahl, Kaitlin Stephens, Emma Stevens, Marla Summers, Yula Sung, Kirstynn Wampner, Kathryn Watson, Kristin Weaver

June 1, 2019July 12, 2019

Second Harvest Food Bank Video Project

Second Harvest Food Bank’s mission is to provide food, education and advocacy for people experiencing food insecurity. Most people in the area are familiar with Second Harvest’s hunger-relief and food banking activities, but the organization offers a range of lesser known programs and services that focus on the root causes of food insecurity and assist people in becoming more financially independent. This digital media project was Phase I in a series of projects that will explore how digital media assets, especially video, could help Second Harvest prioritize and promote its continuum of programs and, in doing so, help to attract more clients, volunteers and supporters in the future.

Faculty Mentors: Tim Pollard, Suzanne Plesha
Departments: Telecommunications, Immersive Learning
Community Partner: Second Harvest Food Bank
Students: Miguel Arteaga, Troy Baker, Emma Brashear, Matthew Carson, Daniel Clements, Courtney Correll, Randal Dorsett, Malorie Gill, Briana Hale, Colton Howard, James Johnson, Lauryn Jones, Sean McGarry, Sherill Osborne, Nikolas Risser, Mariana Rodriguez

May 15, 2019June 7, 2019

Muncie Mystery! – June 6, 2019

Muncie’s first, First Thursday Mystery was a huge success; if you missed it, we hope to see you next year! Check out the video below to find out who ‘dun it!

A serious (and pretend) crime been committed in Downtown Muncie! We are calling on all citizen sleuths to participate in a real-life Clue game as part of the First Thursday festivities on June 6.

Between 5 and 6:30 pm, visit ten participating downtown businesses for clues about suspects and weapons. At each location, you will have the chance to answer a Muncie trivia question to learn more about our city, complements of the Delaware County Historical Society.

The guilty party and facts about the case will be revealed at Muncie Civic Theatre at 7:00 pm. Sleuths who correctly identify the perpetrator and weapon will be entered into a drawing for great prizes, including an overnight stay at the Courtyard by Marriott Muncie at Horizon Convention Center, Muncie Civic Theatre tickets, a Silver Crystal Pendant from Pazols Jewelers, and more! (Must be present to win.)

Download your crime tracker and plan your investigation!

Follow the event on Facebook to stay up to date and learn more!

Event partners: Downtown Muncie, Muncie Civic Theatre, Indiana Public Radio, WIPB-TV, Ball State Office of Community Engagement, Muncie Neighborhoods, and Delaware County Historical Society

Participating businesses: Debbie’s Handmade Soap, The Hayloft Boutique, Twin Archer Brewpub, Mulberry Street Uniques, Aw Yeah Comics- Muncie, Vintage Shoppe Thrift & Gift, Intersection, Olive & Slate, Muncie Map Co.

May 12, 2019July 12, 2019

Second Harvest School Pantries Study

Sociology Capstone students partnered with Second Harvest to conduct face-to-face interviews to gather program evaluation data regarding community member needs and to measure the impact that school pantries are having on student and family engagement.

Faculty Mentor: Melinda Messineo
Department: Sociology
Community Partner: Second Harvest
Students: Adriana Arthur, Katrina Brown, Katina Clark, Whittney Coffman, Julia Conn, Jazmin Deshazer, Laura Drascic, Sam Fields, Sara Garland, Tonya Gregorash, Jennifer Harkcom, Jaze Harris, Stacey Hodges, Griffin Janosky, Devaugn Jones, Drea Kolkinn, Amber Levi, Kerrigan Mccormack, Katie Morris, Sam Mulholland, Emily O’Lena, Malik Paeham-Dunner, Sarah Powell, Ian Quasat, Shelby Sims

May 6, 2019February 5, 2020

Neighborhood IDEA Conference Call for Proposals

~ NOW ACCEPTING PROPOSAL SUBMISSIONS! ~

For the last four years 130 citizens have gathered each March for the Neighborhood IDEA Conference.

The Muncie Action Plan, Shafer Leadership Academy and The Office of Community Engagement at Ball State University are partnering once again to support the development of neighborhood leaders.

Do you have an idea you would like to share at the conference or a topic you want to see discussed?

The fifth annual Neighborhood IDEA Conference is scheduled for March 7, 2020 at Ivy Tech’s recently renovated downtown Fisher Building. Over 100 of Muncie’s most active local leaders will gather to listen, learn and meet like-minded individuals to share ideas and best practices.

We are taking submissions through December 6, 2019

Submit a proposal!

May 2, 2019July 12, 2019

Partnering with the Whitely Community to Establish an Understanding of Community and Police Interactions

Students administered surveys to Whitely residents to develop an understanding of their overall perceptions of citizen-police interactions. They also interviewed representatives of the local police department to understand community engagement protocols. Students produced a manual that can be used to help citizens understand citizen and police engagement. A day-long forum was held highlighting the stories from The Facing Project, the findings of the survey, and face-to-face dialogues between the Whitely community and police/city officials.

Faculty Mentor: Kiesha Warren-Gordon
Department: Criminal Justice and Criminology
Community Partners: The Facing Project, Whitely Community Council
Students: Demetrius Bilbrey, Kurtis Bowsher, Logan Boyer, Dakota Carlton, Arica Crenshaw, Rachel Ginn, Eliot Gonzalez, Kyle Hyde, Devin Ice, Justin Martinez-Beckmann, Derek Meneely, Zachary Milam, Camryn Page, Melaja Prentiss, Billy Rollings, Dakota Stalbaum, Benjamin Tritch, Alivia Varvel, Jakhari Wilbert, Dana Woodworth