$25,000 in Resources Available for Block Club Projects
The City of Gary and the Mayor’s Office of Constituent Services (MOCS) announced its newly established Love Your Block Program, an initiative that will encourage block clubs make improvements in their communities through the use of small grants.
The City was awarded $25,000 from Cities of Service with the support of Bloomberg Philanthropies to launch Love Your Block that will support projects such as community gardens, revitalized parks, and public art to eliminate and prevent blight in Gary. Residents will be able to apply for Love Your Block grants through the MOCS. Grants are not monetary but awarded in the form of supplies to support Block Club efforts. In addition with the award, two (2) AmeriCorps Vistas are working at City Hall to create awareness about the program.
To celebrate the reveal of the Love Your Block Program and Logo, a Press Conference was held Wednesday, February 13 at 1:00pm at City Hall, located at 401 Broadway. Additionally, the MOCS will host three Love Your Block Workshops to share information about establishing block clubs, the program and the grant application process. The workshops will be held on February 21, February 28, and March 7. The February dates will be held at Hudson Campbell at 5:30pm and the March workshop will be held at the ArtHouse at 5:30pm.
Also, throughout the month of February, residents are encouraged to participate in the Show Us Your Heart Campaign. Citizens will have the opportunity to decorate the walls of City Hall with their love for Gary and their immediate neighborhoods. To participate visitors can receive love notes from the Love Your Block table on the first floor of City Hall from 11am-1pm.
To register for workshops and receive an application, please visit the Mayor’s Office of Constituent Services at Gary City Hall – 401 Broadway, Suite 203 or email at [email protected], [email protected], or call 219-881-4815. Deadline to apply for the Love Your Block Program is March 14. To become a Block Club please email the Urban League of Northwest Indiana at [email protected] or call 219-887-9621.
