Category: News

Muncie news

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St. Vincent de Paul Society Updates Muncie Resource Guide

thriftstorefrontThe St. Vincent de Paul Society of Muncie has published a comprehensive guide to human services available in Muncie and Delaware County. The guide, more than 100 pages long and meant to supplement the 211 Rainbow book, lists resources for basic needs – such as utilities, food, and shelter – as well as children’s services, disability services, senior services, and more.

The St. Vincent de Paul Society is a worldwide Catholic community organization founded in Paris in 1833. Locally, the tri-parish group serves the needy of Delaware County to fulfill two great commandments – Love of God and Love of Neighbor. The society operates a thrift store (920 E. Charles Street) that helps approximately 550 persons per year with free clothing and miscellaneous household items. Proceeds from the store go to help with rent, utilities, and food for those in need.

“We have found this resource highly useful when working with our clients,” said Angela Saval, member of the society. “There are services that we cannot provide, but there are many other resources in the community.”

The resource book is updated on a bi-yearly basis. An online version of the resource book is available for free, although the society welcomes donations to support their efforts.

Hard copies of the guide may be purchased for $12. Orders must be submitted to svdpmuncie@gmail.com by February 7.

To learn more about St. Vincent de Paul Society’s work in Delaware County, visit http://vincentdepaulmuncie.weebly.com or https://www.facebook.com/svdpmuncie.

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Contribute to the MCS Strategic Plan

Muncie residents have been invited by Muncie Community Schools (MCS) Superintendent Steven Baule to contribute to the development of MCS’s strategic plan.

Starting in February, Muncie residents may participate in up to five focus groups to hear preliminary plans and provide feedback. You do not have to have a child in the Muncie Community School system to participate.

The focus groups will be held at the Anthony Administration Building, Boardroom #4, 6:30 p.m. on the following dates:

Student Services, Support & Safety
Curriculum & Instruction
Finance & Facilities
Human Resources & Professional Development
Communications & Family Engagement		 Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Monday, February 29, 2016
Monday, March 7, 2016
Monday, March 14, 2016
Thursday, March 10, 2016

“We welcome and strongly encourage you to be a member of one of our focus groups; your role as a focus group member is critical to this process,” said Dr. Baule. “Thank you in advance for your willingness to serve our students and school corporation in this capacity.”

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Blaine/Southeast Neighborhood Playground Completed

Blaine-Field-001The playground began as a seed, an idea that grew at each monthly neighborhood association meeting. The Blaine/Southeast Neighborhood Association formed only a few short years ago in 2011 under the direction of Clifford Clemmons. Supported by a small group of dedicated residents, the association worked with Ball State University urban planning students under the direction of faculty member Lisa Dunaway to develop a neighborhood action plan. The Blaine/Southeast Neighborhood Action plan, finalized in December 2014 provided key information that reinforced the neighbors’ belief that Blaine/Southeast lacked adequate play space for its youth. Located on the far east side of the city, the neighborhood sits removed from Muncie’s established parks and playgrounds.

Planning for the neighborhood playground began in earnest in winter 2014 after the association was successful in attaining a $15,000 KaBoom playground grant. A committee of residents worked diligently to find funding to match the KaBoom grant, to plan for the Community Build Day and to clear the overgrown field where the playground would eventually be built. With the efforts spearheaded by Clemmons and Isabelle Sowers, Muncie Action Plan Volunteer Coordinator, Spring and Summer 2015 were busy with fundraisers and cleanups leading up to the September 12th Build Day.

Playground-Build-16Build Day was attended by dozens of volunteers who successfully erected a portion of the playground, with the final construction occurring throughout the following few weeks. The October 16th ribbon cutting was well attended by residents, volunteers and city officials. Since October, the playground committee has continued to fundraise for the purchase of mulch and landscaping as well as other necessities like lighting and signage through their GoFundMe site. The Neighborhood Association understands that the playground is a community asset, but one that will require constant oversight and maintenance. Association members are committed to creating a play space that is well-loved and well-used by neighborhood children for years to come.

PHOTO GALLERY

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Ex-Chevy Plant Site will become Neighborhood Asset

A portion of the ex-Chevy property on East 8th St. has been acquired by the Ross Community Center and will become part of a revamped and enlarged youth baseball facility. Funds for the purchase were provided by the Ball Brothers Foundation, which has remained committed to supporting revitalization efforts in the city’s Thomas Park/Avondale neighborhood. More information about the sale can be found in this Star Press article

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CLOSED: Neighborhood I.D.E.A. Conference Call for Proposals

The Muncie Action Plan, Shafer Leadership Academy and Building Better Neighborhoods are partnering together to host a conference to support the development of neighborhood leaders. The Neighborhood I.D.E.A. Conference is scheduled for March 5th on Ball State’s campus. 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. The theme of the conference is Intentional Development and Education for Association Members.

Sessions will fall within four distinct tracks:

  1. Working with local government
  2. Visioning and Revitalization
  3. Teamwork and Collaboration
  4. Association Development

Do you have an idea you would like to share at the conference or a topic you want to see discussed? We are currently taking submissions. The Call for Proposals can be found here.

For those individuals and organizations who are interested in presenting at this conference, please submit proposals by January 1st. Questions may be directed to Krista Flynn, BSU Office of Community Engagement at kflynn@bsu.edu.