Marquette Greenway will expand the arts and culture of our heritage through natural trails, outdoor public art installations and educational events honoring all who settled along the shoreline.

Building upon a commitment to service and the idea of the community as campus, the Living, Learning, and Serving Community (LLS) concept provides an integrated experience for students that includes learning community coursework, experiential learning, and volunteer opportunities with partner organizations. The activities within the LLS concept are designed to improve student engagement and retention while exposing students to volunteerism, providing students with experience needed to be successful after graduation, while meeting significant community needs.

The YWCA afterschool/summer camp program provides students with a way to learn new skills, socialize with peers, and stay engaged in their education.

In 2023 Methodist Hospitals established the STAR Center, Sexual Trauma Awareness & Recovery Center, located in Methodist Hospitals’ Gary campus, to address the needs of sexual assault victims.

Ivy Tech Lake County is transforming its East Chicago campus to prepare its 11,500 students for future employment, as well as empowering the surrounding community. For 30 years, this building has served as the hub of educational opportunities. This renovation project will modernize classrooms, create a dedicated space for workforce training, and equip technology labs.

Since opening in 1998, Dunes Learning Center has supported emerging conservation leaders through the Post-Graduate Environmental Education Fellowship program. Recent college graduates gain on-the-job experience as they lead education programs and explore career options with the National Park Service and beyond.

Lakeshore Public Media is developing a program that will promote high-quality early learning and child development to audiences across Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland through Lakeshore’s television, radio, and digital platforms. The core of the program will be a five-episode television series to premiere in 2024 that covers the following topics: Birth Navigation/Maternal Mental Health, Home Visiting & Early Intervention, Everyday Moments, Family/Social Relationships, and Positive & Negative Childhood Experiences. With PBS’ reach to more families with young children in low-income families than any other children’s TV network, this series will help educate families while generating support for local nonprofit organizations.

The Northwest Indiana Symphony Society is expanding the Summer Music Festival to include at least 1 additional community and  provide funding for under resourced schools and students to attend and participate in the annual education concert.

Building off Legacy’s Neighborhood Spotlight initiative, Legacy plans on launching Community Heart & Soul in 2024. Through this national initiative, Legacy Foundation will work with 1-2 neighborhoods in Lake County to engage residents and develop a plan based on priorities identified by the community.

For more than 20+ years, South Shore Arts has built the “everykid” arts enrichment program to ensure every child in Lake County has access to, and the opportunity to engage in, creative and artistic activities at no cost. “Everykid” is the umbrella program for all youth outreach programs including art and literacy workshops delivered at no cost to over 100 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade classrooms throughout Lake County. South Shore Arts plans to reach children from under resourced families who historically have not had the financial resources needed to access art classes and summer camps at SSA’s art centers in Munster and Hammond.