Non-Profit

By Kate H. Elliott— MUNCIE, Ind. —Meet Shafer Leadership Academy’s Community Inclusion Ambassadors, who will work to build relationships across all communities within East Central Indiana. These passionate leaders will travel the region to connect individuals with inclusive leadership development opportunities. Mitch Isaacs, executive director of Shafer Leadership Academy, said the ambassadors are particularly focused on empowering diverse candidates for nonprofit boards and neighborhood associations as well as local government positions. The ambassadors will also provide guidance and insight about the inclusivity and equity of SLA’s public programs and internal operations. “Our region has so much potential, and many people…

By Holly Juip— MUNCIE, Ind.–Nearly 1,200 Muncie students were able to choose and take home 12 books each to keep and read over the summer through Heart of Indiana United Way’s Summer Book Give-Away program. In its fifth year, the program doubled by serving preschool through fifth-grade students at South View, Longfellow, and Grissom Elementary Schools. “United Way is on a mission to grow a love of reading amongst students and their families,” explained President & CEO Jenni Marsh. “Having access to books and words in the home over the summer not only helps achieve that—but it helps kiddos maintain and even…

By Zach Hansen—  MUNCIE, Ind.—Our primary goal at the Clubs is to inspire our kids and help them reach their full potential to be the best person they each can be. This mission has never been more tested given how turbulent the past few years have been globally. However, our community and our partners know that we all need to invest in each other to do whatever it takes to provide for the futures of our Club kids. The George & Frances Ball Foundation certainly understands this and has shown that through their investment into the Boys & Girls Clubs…

By Gail A. Townsend— MUNCIE, Ind.—Public art has come to Muncie Friends Church: A Quaker Meeting, with a series of hand-painted garden poles installed in the Jackson Street parking area of the meeting house, which is the home of the Old West End Neighborhood Association (OWENA). Designed by local artist Denise King, the posts welcome visitors and depict the Friends’ common values of Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community and Equality. King, who is active in OWENA, designed the posts, which were then painted by members of Muncie Friends Church, at 418 W. Adams St. King is known for her advocacy of…

By Susan Fisher, Public Relations Supervisor at Muncie Public Library— MUNCIE, Ind.—Babies, kids, teens, and even adults can sign up now for the Summer Reading Program (SRP) at Muncie Public Library (MPL). The 2022 program runs from June 6 through July 30. This year’s theme is “Oceans of Possibilities.” “The traditional SRP will always be a part of what we do at Muncie Public Library,” said Akilah S. Nosakhere, MPL Library Director. “We know how important it is to keep students reading throughout the summer months to avoid losing educational gains made during the school year.” Nosakhere also noted that…

By Next Muncie— MUNCIE, Ind. – Next Muncie, a team of local leaders committed to advancing the redevelopment of downtown Muncie and its adjacent neighborhoods, has welcomed a new member of the Muncie community to serve on its team. Lathay Pegues, a longtime resident of Muncie, is president and CEO of John Tom’s Barbecue Sauce. He began his service to Next Muncie earlier this year. “I was flattered to be asked to join Next Muncie’s team, because I know everyone serving is committed to making Muncie the best community it can be,” Pegues said. “I fit that criteria, too, because…

By Patricia L Lang, Professor Emerita, Chemistry MUNCIE, Ind.—It’s not Plunder and Lunge. It’s Ponder and Plunge, a woman-only stock club in Muncie, Indiana. The name says it all, with emphasis on the PONDER part. The club recently celebrated 50 years of stock investment education. The club was founded in 1971 by four accomplished Muncie women: Esther Ball, Thelma Hiatt, Martha Wickham and Aline Emens. All of these women began as teachers and had remarkable careers. Esther Ball served the war effort as a cryptographer, for example. All were associated with Ball State University, in Muncie Indiana.  All were long-time members…