G.R.I.P.
The Gary Region Investment Project identifies and pursues opportunities for urban revitalization. Supported by the Metropolitan Planning Council of Chicago, NIRPC, HUD, cities of Gary, East Chicago and Hammond. The program sponsors an “Urban Exchange,” bringing representatives of successful urban programs from across the U.S. to address NWI’s urban leaders.
Coordinators: Joanna Trotter, Peter Skosey, Linda Kay
Northwest Indiana Healthcare Council
Leaders in the healthcare field – hospital CEOs, doctors, nurses, insurance providers, home health care and others – gather to discuss issues of the industry and to coordinate programs serving Northwest Indiana.
Chariperson: Denise Dillard
Mayors’ Roundtable
Bi-monthly meeting of the 12 mayors from Northwest Indiana. Casual discussion over dinner is held highlighting issues vital to local communities.
Co-chairmen: Mayors John Costas, Tom McDermott Jr.
Committee of 16
Representatives of 16 towns in Lake, Porter counties meet to discuss common issues.
Chairman: Michael Griffin
Northwest Indiana Committee for Better Government
Linked to the Shared Ethics Commission, the committee pursues reasonable but effective change to improve local government. Three changes to Indiana law pushed by the committee and enacted in 2012 will favorably impact the operation of local government.
Chairman: Dennis Rittenmeyer
Northwest Indiana Chamber of Commerce Coalition
Executives of 17 Northwest Indiana chambers of commerce meeting monthly to coordinate activities of interest throughout the region, to pursue economic development and share opportunities to benefit local business.
Facilitator: Chuck Hughes
READY
Structured organization of leaders from various sectors of the Northwest Indiana educational community to promote an improved assessment process for high school students, focus on providing youth with better interventions to keep them in school, more career pathway opportunities, college course work while in high school and improved data interpretation and use by teachers.
Facilitators: Linda Woloshansky, Mark Maassel, Peggy Buffington
A Community Conversation
A public gathering held quarterly during which local issues are discussed by those involved
Facilitators: Kris Krouse, Danita Johnson Hughes
Grow NWI
Coordinating and supporting organizations sponsoring community gardens in Lake, Porter, LaPorte counties.
Facilitator: Ryan Richardson
Green Vision Project
Working in conjunction with the Lake County Juvenile Court, teens are sentenced to a work detail in an urban community. The work detail is supervised by members of a local church. The assigned workers focus on cleaning parks and the entrances and exits to the community designated for cleaning.
Coordinators: Mary Cossey, Linda Key, Honorable Mary Beth Bonaventura, Justin Breen
Northwest Indiana Environmental Council
In a formative stage, the council will bring together those with varying relationships to the environment – business and industry, waste districts, government, academics and others.
Facilitator: Kay Nelson, Purdue University Calumet
Success By Six
A program in three Northwest Indiana counties preparing preschool children for the education system. Provides traits for success.
Facilitators: United Way in Lake, Porter, LaPorte counties
Dare to Dream
Forging connections between 7 Northwest Indiana counties through community conversations.
Facilitators: O’Merrial Butchee, Ivy Tech Community College
Veterans Action Coalition
The Northwest Indiana Veterans’ Action Coalition seeks both to coordinate services provided to active military members and veterans and to promote awareness of new initiatives on their behalf. The Coalition is comprised of community leaders, both veterans and non-veterans
Chairman: Michael Sparber
Public Safety Committee
This committee is just beginning its deliberations but will strive to improve public safety in all our communities by enhancing cooperation and coordinating of public safety activities.
Chairman: ATF Agent David Coulson
Race Relations Committee
This council seeks to foster diverse representation and participation in all our communities. The committee fosters the development of forums and educational programs to improve race relations throughout our region.
Chairmen: Vanessa Allen, Harry VandeVelde