Connecting Muncie Neighborhood partners and resources
Muncie’s Whitely Community Council is recognized as the most productive and inspiring neighborhood association in Muncie, due in large part to the tireless leadership of Cornelius and Mary Dollison and other committed members of the Whitely neighborhood. Since 1966, the Council has overseen improvement projects in seven strategic areas: safety, education and health, infrastructure, employment and business support, neighborhood pride and event planning, resource development and fundraising, and advertising and public relations. The council meets on the second Monday of every month, with a consistent attendance of 60-70 individuals.
Muncie’s Primacy of Place Video Series was produced by Ball State Student Media and funded by the Ball Brothers Foundation. The series explores six main ‘pillars’ of quality of life: Parks and Recreation, Neighborhood Development, Farm to Table, Volunteerism, Education, and Philanthropy.
Research and practice shows the single most important element in strengthening local economies is attracting and retaining talented individuals. This requires not only good jobs and schools, but attention to the quality of life in individual communities. Primacy of Place describes a community’s strategic decision to dedicate resources to improving life experiences for residents, businesses and visitors. Read more about Ball State’s Primacy of Place initiative.
Associate Professor and Chairperson of the Department of Sociology, Melinda Messineo, led several groups of Ball State students in sociological Immersive Learning projects around the city. Organizations partnered included the United Way of Muncie and Delaware County, Edible Muncie, and the Muncie Redevelopment Commission. In these projects, students worked with their community partners to gather information about literacy opportunities in build spaces (United Way) food scarcity and pantry use (Edible Muncie) and residential decision making processes for young professionals (Muncie redevelopment). The data will be used to inform programs for each of the partners over the next year.
Want to show your community spirit? Refresh, at 312 E. Main Street in Downtown Muncie, is selling these awesome t-shirts designed by Kyle Johnson. Visit Refresh, a cool local store specializing in unique furniture, home decor, and gifts, and while you’re there be sure to pick one up! You can read more about the story behind the shirts on Refresh’s blog.
A portion of the ex-Chevy property on East 8th St. has been acquired by the Ross Community Center and will become part of a revamped and enlarged youth baseball facility. Funds for the purchase were provided by the Ball Brothers Foundation, which has remained committed to supporting revitalization efforts in the city’s Thomas Park/Avondale neighborhood. More information about the sale can be found in this Star Press article
