Author: Jes Beals

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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

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:

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.

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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 2022. 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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Neighborhood Leadership Council

NLC Logo

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

Let’s Celebrate!

Our May Neighborhood Leadership Council meeting is scheduled for
Tuesday, May 20th from 6-7 p.m. at the E.B. Ball Center, 400 W. Minnetrista Blvd.

Shafer Leadership Academy will be presenting on
Effective Communication – Listening with Your Eyes. We hope to see you there!

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.

Have time for a quick survey?

Mitch Isaacs, Executive Director of Shafer Leadership Academy is reaching out on behalf of the Muncie Youth Leadership Program. One of their student teams is working on a project about the Unity Bridge—aimed at raising awareness and celebrating it as a symbol of connection.

They’ve created a short survey to gather community input about updating the Unity Bridge and would love your help sharing it through your neighborhood networks.

The project is supported by Muncie Arts, 8–12 / Habitat, and Councilwoman Ro Selvey, who has also spoken to the mayor. The students plan to share results at the May City Council meeting.

Survey link

Thanks for supporting these young leaders!

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A group of Ball State students is collecting community input on climate change. Please take a few minutes to fill out their survey and share with your networks. Your help is greatly appreciated!

Survey link

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