Michigan City Common Council. Educator; environment & water. Business: Art + Science Works Michigan City, Indiana
News and Updates
Water Tower Park Upgrades-
Join the fight against plastic pollution
Join the fight against plastic pollution
What would you like to see at Water Tower Park?
Join the fight against plastic pollution
Join the fight against plastic pollution
Join the fight against plastic pollution
May 7th ALL MCAS 7th graders are participating in a plastic pollution action day
More info here soon
Trees for Free at Farmers' Market May 1st
Join the fight against plastic pollution
Trees for Free at Farmers' Market May 1st
The Michigan City Tree Board is giving away trees at the Farmers' Market
Celebrate Arbor Day- Plant a Tree
Michigan City Spring Clean-Up
Community Tree Steward Training
Trees for Free at Farmers' Market May 1st
The Michigan City Refuse Department will conduct its Annual Spring Clean-Up beginning on March 22, 2021. Refuse Department requests that all residents separate the debris that is to be discarded into the following three (3) categories:
1. Brush, limbs, shrubs, yard waste, and unpainted concrete (no black-top rubble);
2. Rugs, lumber, furniture, mattress, and box-springs; and
3. Appliances and tires. Tires can be rimmed or un-rimmed, and appliances include items such as stoves, refrigerators, air conditions, water tanks, etc.
Community Tree Steward Training
Community Tree Steward Training
Community Tree Steward Training
Tree Stewards introduces a broad range of topics related to the urban forestry discipline and is intended to actively engage those interested in urban forestry and provide them with a base knowledge to become advocates in their communities.
Virtual Lecture Portion via Zoom (1:00-3:30 PM ET):
May 6: Soil Basics and Tree Physiology
May 13: Tree ID and Planting Site Selection
May 20: Proper Planting Techniques & Post Planting Care and Pruning Young Trees
May 27: Tree Defect ID and Pests & Diseases
June 3: Benefits of Trees and Urban Woodlots
June 10: Partner Volunteer Opportunities and Class Wrap-Up
In-Person Field Days:
Outdoor, small-group field days will be offered at multiple locations around the state.
Registration:
Register online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/INTreeStewards21 or contact Abby Krause at akrause@dnr.in.gov for a paper registration form. Cost is $15 per person.
SOUTH SHORE UPDATES
Community Tree Steward Training
Community Tree Steward Training
SOUTH SHORE TO CLOSE 11th STREET STATION
South Shore announced that they will be CLOSING the 11th Street Station and parking lots beginning May 1stand will not re-open until the construction is completed in 2024.
Additionally, the two 11th Street parking lots will be closed as they begin the staging for the new station and platforms. The footprint of the east and south parking lots will be used for laydown, staging, and contractor mobile offices.
The train will no longer stop at this station. Carroll Avenue Station and parking will remain open throughout the construction into 2024.
South Shore will coordinate with our Transportation Director Robin Tillman, to get riders to the Carroll Avenue Station.
LaPorte County Housing Study
Michigan City Farmers Market Contact Information
Michigan City Farmers Market Contact Information
LaPorte County Housing Analysis and Action Agenda March 26, 2021
More info at https://vibrantlpcounty.com/resources/people/
Michigan City Farmers Market Contact Information
Michigan City Farmers Market Contact Information
Michigan City Farmers Market Contact Information
Consumer Financial Education
Michigan City Farmers Market Contact Information
Consumer Financial Education
1st Source Bank financial education resource portal: https://1stsource.everfi-next.net/welcome/consumers
Local NAACP Branches Build Community Power with Solar Job Opportunities at Job Fair
The LaPorte County and Gary NAACP branches provide solar job training opportunities to local residents at the job fair event hosted by the Michigan City Chamber of Commerce tomorrow, Tuesday, Apr. 13th, at the Blue Chip Casino from 1 PM until 4 PM.
The opportunity comes after the Michigan City Sustainability Commission voted to support the NAACP’s Soul Power Project. This community project is a collaboration with Elevate Energy, Indiana Workforce Development, and Solar United Neighbors to advance solar installation training opportunities for affected workers and residents in Northwest Indiana, especially those in low-income communities and communities of color and returning citizens.
La’Tonya Troutman, NAACP LaPorte County Branch Environmental Climate Justice Chair, has led community campaigns for social and environmental issues in Michigan City for more than a decade and sees this green job development project as a natural extension of her work. “The Soul Power Project will help our community to advance energy efficiency and clean energy by strengthening community resilience and livability,” says Troutman.
Interested participants will attend and complete a six-week training course with Elevate Energy, weekly Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 2 PM. Elevate Energy, a nonprofit organization with a mission of smarter energy use for all, will provide online and classroom training to prepare future installers for the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) Certification, the gold star standard in the solar industry, and OSHA 10 Certification. An in-person training component will be held at the Envision Center located at 1835 Broadway St., Gary. Successful completion in the training will include the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 10 and NABCEP Certification, in addition to hiring opportunities in the solar industry as solar installers, project managers, and in sales and design.
“The Soul Power project will empower communities by bridging economic inequalities in our region while creating solar energy job possibilities connecting them to living-wage job opportunities in the renewable sector as Indiana begins its energy transition,” says Wesley Scully, NAACP LaPorte County Branch President.
Once applications and prerequisite testing are submitted with Indiana WorkOne, applicants will begin work with career advisors to improve applicants' career readiness. Among those strongly encouraged to apply are residents who do not have a college degree or who are returning citizens. The application deadline is Monday, April 26th, and classes are set to begin May 3rd. Applications can also be submitted and more information about the Soul Power Project or NAACP can be found at Soul Power Project | NAACP LAPORTE COUNTY (naacplaportecounty3061.com)
Resources to Help You from People Who Care
A list of LaPorte County resources developed by Home Team Members
HOW TO GET YOUR FEDERAL STIMULUS CHECK
- Make sure you filed your 2018 or 2019 federal income tax return.
- You may be able to file for free online at: https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free
Did you miss the deadline to register online for the Economic Impact Payment? You may still be eligible to receive a payment in 2021 if:
- You did not register online, by mail and did not get a payment in 2020 or,
- You received a payment, but it wasn’t the full amount of the Economic Impact Payment. The maximum credit is $1,200, or $2,400 if married filing jointly, plus $500 for each qualifying child.
Then:
- When you file a 2020 Form 1040 or 1040SR you may be eligible for the Recovery Rebate Credit. Save your IRS letter - Notice 1444 Your Economic Impact Payment - with your 2020 tax records. You’ll need the amount of the payment in the letter when you file in 2021.
MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR FEDERAL STIMULUS CHECK
- DO make sure your essentials (food, utilities, shelter, transportation – in that order) are covered.
- DO make use of food pantries/programs, mortgage/rent/utilities assistance and other helpful community resources.
- DO make the minimum payments on your debt (if you can).
- DO toss anything leftover into an emergency fund.
- DO NOT take out a payday loan.
Updated 1 6 2021
Resources to Help You from People Who Care
HOW TO SIGN UP FOR HEALTH INSURANCE, GET PRESCRIPTION ASSISTANCE
-- Go to www.healthycommunitieslpc.org or call Healthy Communities of LP County at: 219-210-3499
-- Go to www.healthlincchc.org or call 1-888-580-1060.
--For prescription assistance, Catholic Charities at 219-879-9312 or North Central Community Action Agencies at 219-872-0351
--For prescription assistance, contact your local township trustee’s office. (SEE BELOW)
HOW TO FIND FOOD ASSISTANCE
Go to https://hflaporte.org/covid-19-resources/ , click on “Food Pantries” or call 2-1-1
--Apply for SNAP/Health coverage at https://fssabenefits.in.gov/bp/#/
--For food assistance, contact your local township trustee’s office. (SEE BELOW)
HOW TO APPLY FOR HOUSING ASSISTANCE
-- For rental assistance, go to www.indianahousingnow.org or call 1-844-463-7638
--For mortgage assistance, go to Indiana Hardest Hit Funds at http://www.877gethope.org/can-i-get-help#am-i-eligible or call 1-877-281-1488
--For issues regarding homelessness, contact the Home Team at 219-707-0873
--For housing assistance, contact your local township trustee’s office. (SEE BELOW)
HOW TO APPLY FOR UTILITY ASSISTANCE
--Go to www.nipsco.com/assistance, learn about payment arrangements and resources
--Call North Central Community Action Agencies at 219-872-0351
--Call Catholic Charities of La Porte County, IN at 219-879-9312
--For utility assistance, contact your local township trustee’s office. (SEE BELOW)
HOW TO GET CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE
-- Go to https://hflaporte.org/covid-19-resources/ and click on “Community Resources for Parents, Educators & Community Members” or call 2-1-1
-- For food assistance, contact your local township trustee’s office. (SEE BELOW)
HOW TO GET MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
--Call Indiana Be Well at 2-1-1 (Select 3) – Available 24/7 or Swanson Center at 219-879-4621.
HOW TO GET TESTED FOR COVID-19
-- Go to https://lhi.care/covidtesting, call 888-634-1116 or contact your healthcare provider. If you don’t have a healthcare provider, call HealthLinc at 1-888-580-1060
- TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE PHONE
Cass Dara Lee Guse 219-733-2816
Center Lisa M. Pierzakowski 219-362-2736
Clinton Courtni Meyers 219-851-5156
Coolspring Jackie Atwater 219-872-2181
Dewey Dick Bucher 219-754-2159
Galena Edward Hynek 219-778-4932
Hanna Glenn A. Wallace 219-797-3575
Hudson Thomas M. Euler 219-229-6183
Johnson Dan Knowlton 574-876-0876
Kankakee Steve Lestinsky, Jr. 219-362-2391
Lincoln Dennis Christensen 219-369-1163
Michigan Rodney Washington 219-874-5201
New Durham Phillip J. Hannon 219-785-4036
Noble David Doepping 219-767-2317
Pleasant Susan Cable 219-369-1167
Prairie Robert Younggreen 219-863-5798
Scipio Kaelynn D. Deckard 219-608-1853
Springfield Howard C. Conley 219-325-0809/219-324-9572
Union Sherry Morris 219-393-3315
Washington Loretta Rudolph 219-362-5321/219-363-4841
Wills Joan Cuson 574-340-5031
Legal Assistance
Indiana Legal Services, Inc. (ILS) is a nonprofit law firm that provides free civil legal assistance to eligible low-income residents throughout the state of Indiana.
The Indiana COVID-19 Rental Assistance Portal
This is a free, state online resource for renters and property managers in Indiana. The dynamic search options allow you to find affordable, accessible and market-rate housing that will fit your needs.
Covid-19 Rental Assistance Program is expected to start phase II shortly. Check the website for more information. www.IndianaHousingNow.org
Additional resources, and answers to frequently asked questions, can be found in the Coronavirus Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Guide.
Homeowner assistANCE
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I AM FACING FORECLOSURE?
If you are an Indiana homeowner who’s fallen behind on your mortgage payment due to involuntary unemployment, underemployment, divorce, death of a spouse or medical hardship, we want to help you stay in your home. Our federally funded program provides one-time reinstatement only assistance of up to $30,000 for those that qualify. For more information please visit: http://www.877gethope.org/.
Covid 19 - Support
Where to get help
Emergency Soup Kitchen
Where to get help
A list of local resources; this will be updated periodically. Please send additional information to the email below.
How you can help
Emergency Soup Kitchen
Where to get help
A list of local organizations that need your help- please send additional needs to the email below.
Emergency Soup Kitchen
Emergency Soup Kitchen
Mental Health Wellness
"We started Tuesday 3/17 at 35 meals, today we fed 132, and tomorrow, we are bumping up production up to 140." - Erik Tannehill
Mental Health Wellness
Local Mental Health and Domestic Violence Help
Mental Health Wellness
800-706-2751
Coronavirus got you feeling stressed, anxious, worried? New Region 24 hour mental health wellness hotline can help NWI Times article.
Local Mental Health and Domestic Violence Help
Local Mental Health and Domestic Violence Help
Local Mental Health and Domestic Violence Help
LaPorte County Comprehensive Mental Health Services
Swanson Center’s offices can be reached at 219-879-4621 or 219-362-2145.
If you are in crisis, and need immediate
assistance, please call 855-325-6934.
Stepping Stone Providing victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, our free services include 24/7 crisis lines, intervention, temporary shelter, clothing & food, transitional housing, counseling, support groups, and advocacy. 219-879-4615
Enjoy Nature at Home
Local Mental Health and Domestic Violence Help
Local Mental Health and Domestic Violence Help
Do you know what kind of trees are growing near your house? Why trees are beneficial? How can you help a local tree- adopt it! Check out our Michigan City Forester’s website!