Non-Profit

‘Chameleon Connection’ Provides Respite for Women and Children

By: Erin Moore, Member of the Muncie Community— Muncie, Indiana—“She promised herself better and never looked back.” These words of inspiration are painted in bright blue letters in the “Chameleon Connection,” a newly designed space for the YWCA of Muncie’s Complimentary Overnight Temporary Shelter (C.O.T.S.) program. Outfitted with beds, comforters, end tables, lamps, and brightly painted walls and artwork, the space – which used to house exercise equipment – now provides a warm and welcoming space for women and children…

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Five Delaware County Non-Profits Receive $69K from Harry and Janet Kitselman Fund

By: Kallie Sulanke, Community Engagement Officer— Muncie, Indiana. – The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. has awarded $69,208 in grants to five non-profit organizations from the Harry and Janet Kitselman Fund. Harry and Janet Kitselman were residents and civic leaders in the Muncie community.  Per Mr. and Mrs. Kitselman’s wishes, a fund was created to administer and distribute funds for the good of the people of Muncie, Indiana, and the surrounding community with fine arts, recreation, children,…


5th Annual Bark For Life To Take Place On Saturday  

By: Tara Whitehead— Yorktown, IN—A head tilt to let you know they’re listening, a furry paw on your hand to show you how much you are loved, a wagging tail to let you know just how excited they are to be near you. Dogs are more than pets, they are family, and they take care of us as much as we take care of them. This is why we Bark For Life. The 5th Annual Bark For Life of Delaware County…


Muncie OUTreach, A Youth Group for LGBTQ+ Kids

By: Muncie OUTreach Board Members: Brett Ellison, Board President; Amanda Latz, Board Vice-President; Mary Bradley, Board Secretary; Carol Bradshaw; Greg Durbin; Sue Errington; Dave Franklin; Joe Mook; Steve Sneed; and Emily Wornell— Muncie, Indiana—At Muncie OUTreach, we exist to keep kids alive. We mean this literally—many of the kids who attend our weekly meetings have attempted suicide.  Their feelings of self-hatred, resentment, and despair are the natural consequence of being bullied at school, as the targets of cruel homophobia and transphobia, with no one to turn to. We exist to show…


BY5’s Diaper Bank Network To Aid Families Struggling With Diaper Need 

By: Melissa Jones— Muncie, Indiana — BY5 research estimates that, in Delaware County, between 1,610 and 2,440 0–3-year-olds in lower-income families suffer from diaper need. In an effort to reduce this number, BY5 Early Childhood Initiative is launching a diaper drive during National Diaper Need Awareness Week, which runs from Sept. 24–30, to support all the diaper banks in the Diaper Bank Network, which will open later this fall.  The Diaper Bank Network will provide families in need the opportunity…


Community Champions Fund Awards Over $27,500 In Grants

By: David Huhnke, Community Relations Manager, Old National Bank— Muncie, Indiana– The Community Champions Fund is pleased to announce that it has awarded grants to five organizations totaling $27,875. Community Champions Fund is subsidized by Old National Bank’s 100 Men Who Cook event to support organizations within the community to provide programming, services, and activities that endeavor to reduce violence as well as provide security and care for victims of violence.  Since 2015, Community Champions Fund has awarded over $320,000…


Thousands Show Support As Voices (Re) United Stirs Downtown Crowd

By: Juli Metzger & Mike Rhodes Photos by: Amanda Kishel, Lorri Markum & Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—Voices (Re) United, together again for the first time since 2007, stirred memories and emotions Thursday night, as thousands packed onto Walnut Street in downtown Muncie all for a single cause —live united to end generational poverty. The United Way of  Delaware County officially kicked off its 2018 campaign, announcing a goal $1.43 million. In last year’s campaign, United Way surpassed its goal by…


Voices (Re) United Take Stage to End Generational Poverty

By: Juli Metzger— Muncie, Indiana—There was magic in the air Monday night as five area musicians, all with their own demanding schedules, came together for a marathon rehearsal – the first of several planned — for the upcoming Voices (Re) United concert in downtown Muncie. It’s been 11 years but it felt like just yesterday, they said. Musicians picked up where they left off in 2007, which was the last time Cook and Belle, Jennie DeVoe, Keith O’Neal, Jennifer Stanley,…


Tobacco Free Delaware County Names New Program Director

By: Matthew Cox— Muncie, Indiana—The Tobacco Free Coalition of Delaware County is pleased to introduce Jordan Moss as its new Program Director. Jordan’s office is at Little Red Door Cancer Agency, the new fiscal agent for the Tobacco Free coalition grant. Moss earned two masters’ degrees in Wellness Management and Gerontology from Ball State University, and previously worked in corporate wellness with a focus on behavioral change, program implementation and health coaching. “With the Delaware County Coalition, I hope to…


YMCA of Muncie Hires New Executive Director at Camp Crosley  

By: Kristen McConnell— Mark Battig has been hired as the Executive Director at Camp Crosley Muncie, Indiana—Mark Battig has been hired as the new Executive Director of Camp Crosley YMCA. Mark succeeds long time executive, Richard Armstrong, whom he worked with for several years before moving to Tampa, Florida. Mark has a long history in camping, serving YMCA’s in Wisconsin, Ohio, Florida and Indiana. While in Florida, Mark served as the Executive Director of Camp Cristina and Director of Camping Services…