Partners 4Community Growth began in response to an initiative
from the Indiana Association of United Ways. A two part non-competitive
grant was offered to communities in Indiana.
Part One was a planning grant. We were required to have at least
four partners who would provide equal representation and equal
contributions. The grant was a 5:1 match for up to $35,000.00. This
grant was to be used to identify a need and then develop a plan to
address that need.
Miami County had 15 partners who each contributed $1,000.00. We
received the grant and hired a local coordinator and a consulting firm.
Through research, surveys, focus groups, and key leader interviews, we
looked at needs in our community relating to youth issues. We were
confronted with several key issues. Some of them are:
Our community has seen a prolonged decline in the
economy and the number of families in poverty has
increased.
A result of this is that the number of children
in our schools "at-risk" of failing academically has
risen.
The number of single parent families has risen.
People in this community see a need for better
parenting skills and support for parents, especially
parents of adolescents.
We see the biggest struggle at the Middle School
level, and sometimes it is not related to income.
Therefore:
Our goal is to provide the at-risk students with the skills and
self-confidence to succeed in high school and beyond.
Start an after-school club for 6th
graders in all three area school systems offering:
teacher supervision
mentoring and tutoring by volunteers in
the community
workshops for parents on dealing with
adolescents and other related parenting
skills
incentives such as gas vouchers or family
fun activities like going bowling or to the
movies
Work with the students to improve grades,
attendance, good behavior, good
habits and work ethics. Help them to see a
correlation between success in school and success in
life.
Call it Project SOAR. Students Obtaining Academic
Results.
Part Two of the initiative is to put our plan into action. Again
this is a non-competitive grant. It is a 1:1 match for up to $50,000.00.
We have a two-year plan for Project SOAR. We are currently in the
process of raising $50,000.00 for the match. This would fund us for two
years.
For more information contact Project SOAR at 765-473-4240
The Original 15 Partners
City of Peru
County Commissioners
Chamber of Commerce
County Schools
Community Foundation
Board of Realtors
Peru Ministerial Association
Ivy Tech
Grissom Redevelopment Authority
Economic Development Corp.
United Way of Miami County
American Health Network (Reese & Orr)
Local Coordinating Council
Miami Co. Community Services Council
Workforce Development Strategies
Additional Collaborators
Big Brothers/Big Sisters
Miami County YMCA