Jes Beals – Muncie Neighborhoods

June 27, 2025June 27, 2025

Lucas PintMAP’s New Neighborhood Organizer

Lucas Pint, a man with a beard and crossed arms, leans confidently against a brick wall

When I moved to Muncie in 2016 to begin my career at Ball State University, I never imagined how deeply I’d come to care for this city and its people. Settling in the Anthony-Northside Neighborhood sparked my involvement in grassroots efforts, from leading the neighborhood association to helping launch a new park at the former Anthony Elementary School site. This work, along with a scholarship to the Shafer Leadership Academy’s Emergence Program, helped shape my approach to leadership—one grounded in empathy, strategy, and a belief that real change happens when we invest in people and meet them where they are.

That belief continues to guide me in my new role as Neighborhood Organizer with the Muncie Action Plan. Since 2018, I’ve contributed to citywide initiatives through MAP Taskforces 3 and 4, working on neighborhood development and climate resilience. Now, I’m eager to support and connect Muncie’s neighborhoods in even deeper ways. Whether advising students at Ball State, pursuing graduate studies in planning and environmental management, or collaborating with residents, I remain committed to building strong, adaptable communities—because lasting change grows from trust, connection, and the shared work of showing up for one another.

June 9, 2025June 11, 2025

Welcome to the new class of 2025 CenterPoint Scholars!

Kiwani Pine, Rachael Robertson, Isabel Heimlich, Joseph Scholl III, Eliana Heimlich, Sam Atlas McCollum (Jasmine Taylor not in photo)
Photo by Shantanu Suman

Welcoming the Second Cohort of CenterPoint Scholars

Since 2010, Muncie Action Plan (MAP) has been supporting neighborhood leaders through its Neighborhood Leadership Council. In October 2023, MAP expanded this commitment by launching a new initiative—thanks to a generous grant from CenterPoint Energy—to train emerging leaders in grassroots advocacy. This initiative, the CenterPoint Scholars Program, offers a year-long leadership development experience focused on building skills that directly impact Muncie’s neighborhoods.

The program began with a competitive application process in January, and the second cohort of Scholars was officially introduced at the March 2025 IDEA Conference. In April, the Scholars participated in a weekend retreat at highlighted locations in Muncie to kick off the program. This retreat laid the groundwork for a year of learning, connection, and community impact.

We are excited to welcome our second cohort of CenterPoint Scholars:

Jasmin Taylor (BSU Neighborhood)
Rachael Robertson (McKinley Neighborhood)
Sam Atlas McCollum (Old West End)
Joseph Scholl III (Thomas Park Avondale)
Kiwani Pine (Riverside Normal City)
Eliana Heimlich (Thomas Park Avondale)
Isabel Heimlich (Thomas Park Avondale)

This class of CenterPoint Scholars is exploring topics like project management, conflict resolution, and trust building, all while working on neighborhood-based projects designed to create lasting, positive change. They are joining our Neighborhood Leadership Council in monthly trainings from March 2025 through March 2026, and their efforts will culminate in a final presentation led by the Scholars at the 2026 IDEA Conference. MAP is proud to support these emerging leaders and excited to see the impact of their work across our community.

For more information about the CenterPoint Scholars Program, visit muncieneighborhoods.org/centerpoint-scholars.

June 6, 2025June 6, 2025

White River Canoe and Kayak Launch Sites

Map of the White River showing completed and future landing sites for canoes and kayaks

*Kitselman Trailhead launch, completed in 202*2. *Photo by the Ball Brothers Foundation:*

Did you know there are several new kayak and canoe launches located throughout Muncie?

There are! And several more in the works.

These launches are open to the public, so beat the heat this summer by grabbing a friend and bringing your favorite canoes and kayaks to one of these convenient spots.

Learn more about this and other cool projects aimed at championing our local waterways at the Ball Brothers Foundation Project Blueways page.

Check out more muncie neighborhood news and events:

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October 23, 2014June 23, 2025

Neighborhood Leadership Council

The Neighborhood Leadership Council is an initiative of the Muncie Action Plan that brings together neighborhood association leaders from across the city of Muncie to share best practices, take advantage of educational opportunities, and connect with local resources and area non-profits. The group meets on the third Tuesday of each month on the third floor of the E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center (400 W. Minnetrista Pkwy) at 6:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Updated list of neighborhood leaders for 2025

June NLC Meeting:

Our regularly scheduled monthly Neighborhood Leadership Council meeting will be held tomorrow — Tuesday, June 17 — from 6-7 p.m. at E.B. Ball. Joining us will be representatives from several neighborhoods to share their experiences in neighborhood fundraising. Dinner will be provided — we hope you can join us!

Thanks to funding provided by CenterPoint Energy Foundation, we have developed a training schedule for our Neighborhood Leadership Council / CenterPoint Scholar meetings that we hope will help build everyone’s leadership capacity. Here’s what you can look forward to over the next 12 months!

Tuesday, April 15 6-7 PM The Importance of Neighborhoods	Tuesday, October 14 6-7 PM CenterPoint Scholar Project Pitch
Tuesday, May 20 6-7 PM Effective Communication – Listening with your Eyes	Tuesday, November 18 6-7 PM Celebrating Lessons Learned
Tuesday, June 17 6-7 PM How to Fund your Association’s Work	Tuesday, January 20 6-7 PM Recruitment
Tuesday, July 15 7-9 PM Neighborhoods Pool Party @ Tuhey	Tuesday, February 17 6-7 PM Stakeholder Meet and Greet & CenterPoint Scholar Presentations
Tuesday, August 19 6-7 PM Conflict Management	IDEA Conference – March 7 9 AM – 3 PM
Tuesday, September 16 6-7 PM Resident Listening

Come hungry! We always provide dinner at the start of the training.

July 14, 2014June 23, 2025

McKinley Neighborhood

Neighborhood Association Meetings

In 2025, the McKinley Neighborhood Association will meet on July 23, September 24, and November 19, 6:00 pm at 7Rock Brew 613 N Madison. St. All are welcome.