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Washington, D.C. – Congressman Pete Visclosky today announced that he has secured $2,887,000 for education and youth programs in Northwest Indiana. Specifically, $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; $823,000 will go to Ivy Tech Community College Northwest for the establishment of a Center on Logistics, Distribution, and Transportation; $119,000 will go to KIPP LEAD College Prep School for student programs, staff training, and curricula development; and $95,000 will go to Crisis Center for improvements to its youth emergency shelter. The funding is included in the Fiscal Year 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act, which is scheduled for consideration and passage by the U.S. House of Representatives tomorrow.
“A good education is the key to success,” said Visclosky. “In Northwest Indiana we have tremendous educational resources that can help prepare residents for accomplished careers in the new economy. This federal assistance for programs that educate and involve people of all ages will help the current and future generations in Northwest Indiana reinvigorate our economy and make the region a powerful economic player.”
$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 Challenger Learning Center engages students in science, technology, engineering, and math—the educational foundation for 21st century jobs—by making learning fun,” said Visclosky. “In doing so, it provides an important service to the region that has helped a vast number of students over the years and will continue to do so into the future.”
“The $750,000 that Congressman Visclosky helped secure for the Challenger Learning Center will allow us to continue to provide exceptional programming to students, teachers, businesses and families,” said Executive Director Amanda Maynard. “In order to prepare our children to compete in the global marketplace, we need to continue to offer extensive, quality programs in science, technology, engineering and math. This money will ensure that our technologies and programs are kept as current as possible.”
$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, tornadoes, and severe rain storms. In fiscal year 2008 Visclosky secured $817,000 for the department’s radar system.
“The Valparaiso University Meteorology Department is engaged in advanced research that attracts great minds to Northwest Indiana and equips students for high-tech jobs,” said Visclosky. “It also offers an essential public safety service by keeping residents informed of significant weather events.”
“Valparaiso University is very appreciative of Congressman Visclosky's leadership in the Congress,” said Dr. Jon Kilpinen, Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences and Associate Professor of Geography and Meteorology. “The $250,000 he secured for the VU meteorology program will support the leading edge weather technology and research being done at Valparaiso University, for the benefit of students and the entire community.”
$850,000 for YWCA of Northwest Indiana
The funding for the YWCA of Northwest Indiana will be used to expand the Kids Café 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.
“The YWCA provides women and children in Gary with the support they need to build successful lives for themselves,” said Visclosky. “By offering a positive environment, Kids Café empowers children for academic success and healthy, productive lives.”
“Kids Café has really blossomed over the last year into a full service after school program that is looking at not only academics and one-on-one tutoring, but also physical activity, nutritional instruction, and parent involvement at every step of the program,” said YWCA Interim Executive Director Boni Fine. “The federal grant has enabled the YWCA to dramatically expand the programming offered in the after school program.”
$823,000 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.
“One of the keys to building a new economy in Northwest Indiana is diversifying our economic base,” said Visclosky. “We possess a unique collection of transportation resources that could allow us to become a leader in the logistics, distribution, and transportation industry. Ivy Tech is taking the lead in preparing local residents to tap those resources and pursue successful careers in the industry.”
“This investment in our Gary campus will help provide training for an industry that is important to the economic growth of the region,” said Ivy Tech Community College President Tom Snyder. “We look forward to the opportunity to provide the talent needed to fill some of the workforce gaps that currently exist in this industry. Ivy Tech Community College greatly appreciates the strong support of Congressman Visclosky for our state's community college system and looks forward to working closely with the Congressman in responding to the needs of our employers and serving as the engine for workforce development in the state.”
$119,000 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.
“KIPP LEAD takes an innovative approach toward learning that builds complete individuals who succeed inside and outside of the classroom,” said Visclosky. “Their pioneering educational philosophy helps students overcome obstacles to lead productive lives.”
“The students at KIPP LEAD are grateful for Congressman Visclosky’s effort to secure needed resources during difficult financial times for our extended day program,” said Founding School Leader April Goble. “These funds will support our students as they climb the mountain to college by attending school from 8am-5pm each day, which adds up to 60 percent more time in school.”
$95,000 for Crisis Center
The funding for Crisis Center will go toward improvements to Alternative House, its runaway and homeless youth emergency shelter. Alternative House provides shelter, counseling, transportation, recreation, and other services for boys and girls, ages six to 18, who are homeless, runaways, abused, or neglected.
“Every child deserves an opportunity to succeed in life, but some have personal or family problems that adversely affect them,” said Visclosky. “Crisis Center’s Alternative House is a place where kids can go to get the support they need to overcome those problems and thrive.”
“The Crisis Center shelters boys and girls whose lives are endangered by providing emergency shelter and changes their futures for the better by removing them from the streets,” said Executive Director Shirley Caylor. “This money will help the Crisis Center reach out to more children and help us renovate the dorm area for boys.” |
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