Muncie Civic Theatre Receives Grant From Indiana Youth Institute

Mary Poppins at Muncie Civic Theater. Photo by: Kishel PhotographyMary Poppins at Muncie Civic Theater. Photo by: Kishel Photography

By: Lauren Littlefield—

Indianapolis, IN The Indiana Youth Institute (“IYI”) today announced the Muncie Civic Theatre in Delaware County, Indiana and Carey Services in Grant County, Indiana have been awarded organizational coaching and funding to improve operational efficiencies and enhance the overall impact they make in young people’s lives.

“Both of these outstanding organizations provide young people with opportunities to learn new skills, challenge their limits, and grow into more engaged community members here in Indiana,” said Indiana Youth Institute CEO Tami Silverman. “They are incredibly deserving of these awards and we look forward to their growth and extended impact in the future.”

Incorporated in 1931, the Muncie Civic Theatre aims to enrich its whole community through theatre performance, education, and outreach.

“Theatre education is an opportunity to teach important life and social skills, as well as addressing discipline and team building,” said Muncie Civic Theatre Executive Director Laura Williamson. “Our youth theatre programming is continually expanding due to the shrinking arts budget for Muncie Community Schools. Muncie Civic is the only arts organization in the city providing youth theatre opportunities for youth [from] kindergarten through twelfth grade.”

Founded in 1954, Carey Services is a community-based human services organization assisting individuals and families to turn abilities and barriers into opportunities by providing individualized services, education, and advocacy. It focuses its services with people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities as well as their families, making a profound impact North and East Central Indiana.

“In the past fiscal year, we have served 214 families and children through our Early Head Start Program as well as more than 70 youth through our Pre-Employment Transition Services program and more than 30 youth in our Personal Assistance Care and Respite programs,” said Carey Services President and CEO James R. Allbaugh.

The agency also owns and operates three group homes and more than 50 community living units and serves approximately 200 people a day through its day services programming in Marion, Wabash and Logansport.

As recipients of the grants from IYI, both organizations will receive:

  • Up to 120 hours of professional consulting from IYI to provide strategic planning, board development, evaluation planning, fundraising and sustainability planning, financial management, human resources policies, or other technical assistance that would increase the effectiveness of the organization.
  • Grant of $750 for one staff member to attend a professional development course or conference.
  • Registration and travel expenses for two people to attend IYI’s 2019 Kids Count Conference in Indianapolis.
  • The opportunity (based on successful completion of other activities) to apply for a sub-award of up to $10,000 to be used only for approved organizational effectiveness/capacity-building purposes.

Funding for these grants is generously provided by the Ball Brothers Foundation. For the past fifteen years, The Ball Brothers Foundation has partnered with IYI to grow and strengthen organizations in East Central Indiana. IYI promotes the healthy development of Indiana children and youth by serving the people, institutions and communities that impact their well-being.

For more information on IYI, visit https://www.iyi.org/.

 

About the Indiana Youth Institute

For three decades, the Indiana Youth Institute has supported the youth services field through innovative trainings, critical data, and capacity-building resources, aiming every effort at increasing the well-being of all children. To learn more about the Indiana Youth Institute, visit https://www.iyi.org/, like them on Facebook, or follow them on Twitter.