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Washington, D.C. – Congressman Pete Visclosky today announced that he has secured $2,825,000 for educational programs in Northwest Indiana. $750,000 will go to the Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana to expand its programming and upgrade technology; $250,000 will go to Valparaiso University for meteorological equipment; $850,000 will go to the YWCA of Northwest Indiana for after-school and summer programs; $850,000 will go to Ivy Tech Community College Northwest for the establishment of a Center on Logistics, Distribution, and Transportation; and $125,000 will go to KIPP LEAD College Prep School for student programs, staff training, and curricula development.
“Access to high-quality education, whether for kindergarteners, college students, or adults pursuing their GED, is the foundation for future success in life,” said Visclosky. “These funds will help advance a full range of important educational initiatives in Northwest Indiana that give people of all ages and walks of life the tools they need to thrive in our community.”
The funding is included in the Fiscal Year 2009 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill, the Fiscal Year 2009 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill, and the Fiscal Year 2009 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Appropriations bill. Commerce, Justice, Science and Financial Services and General Government are expected to be approved by the House Appropriations Committee today, and Labor, Health and Human Services, Education is expected to be approved by the Committee tomorrow. All three bills must be approved by both the House and Senate before they can be signed into law by the President.
$750,000 for the Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana
The funding for the Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana will be used to expand programming and upgrade the technology needed to run the Center in Hammond. The funds will also be used to expand the Center’s planetarium to offer new shows and programs and to offer additional workshops that provide valuable professional development opportunities for teachers. The Center is seen by both educators and public officials as a vital educational resource for Northwest Indiana that trains teachers and provides classroom materials to augment standard science curricula. Over 100,000 students have learned from the Center’s programs since it opened in 1999. The funding is included in the Commerce, Justice, Science bill.
“Providing our children with a solid foundation in science, technology, engineering, and math is an essential component to preparing them for the new economy,” said Visclosky. “The Challenger Learning Center is a tremendous asset for Northwest Indiana that engages students in those subjects by piquing their interest in outer space and science in general.”
“There is a need for quality science experiences in our region,” said Amanda Maynard, Executive Director of the Challenger Learning Center. “Our center provides opportunities for students to apply science, technology, engineering, and math to real-world situations and our programs focus on skills such as communication, problem solving, listening, and teamwork. The funding we will receive as a result of Congressman Visclosky’s efforts will ensure that our center can continue inspiring those who walk through our doors for years to come.”
$250,000 for Valparaiso University
The funding for Valparaiso University (VU) will be used by the University’s Department of Geography and Meteorology for equipment upgrades and program support. The Department is at the top of its field and VU is one of only a few universities in the nation to use dual-polarization Doppler radar and radiosonde balloon technology. The technology is used in student and faculty research and also helps keep Northwest Indiana prepared for significant weather events such as lake effect snow and tornadoes. In fiscal year 2008 Visclosky secured $817,000 for the department’s radar system. This year’s funding is included in the Commerce, Justice, Science bill.
“The Valparaiso University Meteorology Department not only performs cutting edge scientific research, but also serves the community by closely monitoring the weather and keeping residents informed of significant events,” said Visclosky.
“Valparaiso University is pleased to acknowledge the recent award of $250,000 for meteorology activities and programs in the Department of Geography and Meteorology, thanks to the tremendous leadership of Congressman Pete Visclosky,” said Dr. Jon Kilpinen, Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences at Valparaiso. “This award will support the acquisition of a Doppler radar instrument and an automated radiosonde balloon launcher. The weather forecasting data will benefit students, faculty, and area residents through partnerships with local schools, the National Weather Service, and national weather researchers.”
$850,000 for YWCA of Northwest Indiana
The funding for the YWCA of Northwest Indiana will be used to expand the Ready 4 Work and Kids Café programs. The Ready 4 Work program provides educational assessment, GED education, and remediation services for women and offers childcare and enrichment programs for their children while they participate in the program. The Kids Café program provides a safe haven for children, including at-risk youth, to prevent them from engaging in destructive behavior like crime and drugs. It offers a nurturing after-school and summer environment for children between the ages of six and 17 and their families. In fiscal year 2008, Visclosky secured $191,000 for the YWCA’s programs. This year’s funding is included in the Commerce, Justice, Science bill.
“The YWCA provides women and children in Gary with a constructive, nurturing place to go to develop their academic and social skills,” said Visclosky. “The Ready 4 Work and Kids Café programs give many people in Northwest Indiana the help and support they need to build a successful life for themselves.”
“Our YWCA, along with the children and families of Northwest Indiana that we serve, are sincerely appreciative of the continued support of our Congressman Pete Visclosky,” said Cynthia Powers, Treasurer of the Gary YWCA. “We join him in working tirelessly to improve the quality of life and the health and welfare of all of our citizens. Without a doubt, the appropriations of these funds will significantly aid us in these efforts.”
$850,000 for Ivy Tech Community College Northwest
The funding for Ivy Tech Community College Northwest will be used for the establishment of a Center on Logistics, Distribution, and Transportation at the Gary campus to provide students training in that industry. Northwest Indiana has a diverse mix of air, land, and sea shipping options and the new Center will allow the area’s residents to take advantage of the region’s logistics, distribution, and transportation resources by pursuing careers in that field. $450,000 is included in the Financial Services and General Government bill and $400,000 is included in the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education bill.
“I have long believed that improving and expanding our transportation capabilities will play an important role in creating new economic opportunities for Northwest Indiana,” said Visclosky. “I am glad that Ivy Tech recognizes the importance of the industry to building a new economy for Northwest Indiana and will take the initiative to prepare our residents for successful careers in it.”
“This investment in our Gary campus will help provide training for an industry that is important to the economic growth of the region,” said Thomas J. Snyder, President of Ivy Tech Community College. “We look forward to the opportunity to provide the talent needed to fill some of the workforce gaps that currently exist in this industry. We greatly appreciate the support and commitment that so many have shown to our state's community college system. This is another example of how Ivy Tech Community College is responding to the needs of our employers and serving as the engine for workforce development in the state.”
$125,000 for KIPP LEAD College Prep School
The funding for KIPP LEAD College Prep School will be used for student programs, staff training and curricula development at the Gary school. KIPP LEAD offers an innovative curriculum in which students are in class longer than in most public schools and attend school during the summer. The school fosters leadership, empathy, achievement, and determination through rigorous academic programs that are balanced with diverse extracurricular activities. The funding is included in the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education bill.
“KIPP LEAD uses its innovative approach to learning to help children in Northwest Indiana overcome obstacles so that they can acquire the knowledge and skills they need to get ahead in life,” said Visclosky.
“We feel very fortunate to have the support of Congressman Visclosky, as is evidenced by this substantial amount of financial support for our upcoming school year,” said Makiyah Moody, Director of Development for KIPP LEAD. “KIPP LEAD offers a unique program where students spend 60 percent more time in school than traditional public school students. It will be exciting to see how our student programming, extracurricular activities, and staff development are enhanced with these additional resources.” |
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