The
Michigan City Neighborhood Leadership Academy is re-launching after being put
on hold during the pandemic.
The program
is a partnership between the City of Michigan City and the Economic Development
Corporation Michigan City. It is aimed at individuals who are interested in
taking on a leadership role within their own neighborhoods and bringing
neighbors together to spark change.
Participants
will learn more about the city, its departments, processes and resources to
cultivate their neighborhood’s identity and future path.
Applications
are now being accepted for Michigan City residents ages 18 and over who reside
within the city limits. Applications are available at https://vibrantmc.com/neighborhood-leadership-academy/,
and applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, through Sept. 6.
The program
includes eight sessions, on Thursdays from Oct. 3 through Nov. 21 from 5 to
8:30 pm, with dinner included. In place of a Thursday session on Oct. 17,
mandatory Cornerstone Class sessions will be from 4 to 8 pm Friday Oct. 18 and
8 am to noon Saturday Oct. 19. These foundational classes will educate and
empower participants using the Asset-Based Community Development framework.
“During
Covid, we had to wrap up the program early, and we invite those participants to
join us again,” said EDCMC Executive Director Clarence L. Hulse. “These are
interactive, hands-on sessions that will lay the groundwork for creating strong
and lively neighborhoods within our community.”
“This is a
unique opportunity for our residents to really get involved, serve as a
neighborhood leader and create changes right outside their own doors,” added
Michigan City Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch.
EDCMC
Community Development Manager Erin Meisner will help facilitate the sessions,
which will include speakers, activities, discussions and the two half-day
sessions facilitated by Community Works, which are required to participate.
“This
leadership program is for our community members who want to learn about
programs and strategies to support their own neighborhoods and also establish a
sense of community and getting to know one another,” Meisner said. “We want
participants to learn, understand and be able to put into place these practices
to boost their own neighborhoods – based on their own neighborhoods’ unique
needs.”
A
commitment to the two cornerstone sessions and at least six of the eight dates
is required to graduate. During the last class, participants will present their
final projects before a graduation ceremony.
Contact
Meisner with questions at 219-873-1211 or email emeisner@edcmc.com.