GARY, INDIANA – Building upon its long history of collaboration with the Northwest Indiana community, Indiana University (IU) celebrated the grand opening of the new home for its Center for Urban and Regional Excellence (CURE) on April 7th. CURE serves as a central institution for community engagement and development.
Newly located on the first floor of the John W. Anderson Library on the IU Northwest campus, the CURE Center will comprehensively offer various educational programs and community partnership projects for local residents. It is expected to play a crucial role in realizing IU's 2030 strategic plan's key goals: "student success," "transformative research," and "community engagement."
The opening ceremony was attended by key stakeholders, including IU President Pamela Whitten, government officials, and community leaders, who celebrated the new beginning of the CURE Center. President Whitten emphasized, "IU Northwest is deeply committed to the third key value of IU's strategic plan – service to improve the quality of life for all Hoosiers – and the CURE Center is an embodiment of that commitment."
The new CURE Center offers programs for various age groups, including adult education, non-degree professional development courses, and lifelong learning opportunities. It will also support diverse activities such as "Senior University," which provides real-world learning opportunities and skills for seniors aged 55 and older, literacy improvement programs, community gardens, and "Kids College," a program for children.
Ellen Zaletel, the Director of the CURE Center, and Amanda Smith, the Associate Director, are actively reaching out to the Northwest Indiana community to understand local needs and explore new collaborations, extending beyond the physical space of the center. Director Zaletel explained, "CURE has two important pillars: community service and engagement, and partnerships. The needs of our community have long been identified, and these efforts are part of the university's public mission."
Having worked with the community in various forms for over 20 years, the CURE Center demonstrates its impact through dozens of monthly courses. These courses, covering a wide range of topics such as smartphone usage, gardening, homeownership, and computer education, contribute to the practical skill enhancement of local residents. Furthermore, the Senior University Steering Committee and the Garden Advisory Committee continuously review the appropriateness and necessity of the programs.
Director Zaletel noted, "What has been most significant over the last 10 to 12 years is the community's commitment. Their interest and efforts in exploring how we can collaborate and grow together have allowed CURE to build long-term relationships and work together to address the complex issues facing Northwest Indiana."
One of the CURE Center's major collaborative research projects involved partnering with the Lake County Commissioners to identify over 7,000 "churner properties" and was instrumental in the passage of Senate Bill 157 in 2023. Additionally, it has undertaken various projects, including developing former President Barack Obama's "My Brother’s Keeper Initiative" plan with Gary Mayor Eddie Melton, hosting K-12 dialogues, and collaborating with animal welfare and environmental organizations.
Director Zaletel stated that the CURE Center's upcoming projects include addressing the "food desert" issue within the region and supporting the City of Gary's "Love Your Block" program. The "Love Your Block" program is a small grant initiative that empowers residents to create cleaner, safer, and more vibrant communities.
Mayor Melton praised, "Ellen has been a pillar in this community for a long time. She is like a doctor who 'cures' many of the social issues our community faces. She and her team are instrumental in every way in bringing the community together."
Director Zaletel expressed gratitude for Associate Director Amanda Smith's leadership, the dedication of IU Northwest students, and the support of community partners, emphasizing their contributions to the CURE Center's achievements. Having served at IU Northwest since 1999, Director Zaletel affirmed her belief in the essential role of the CURE Center in the community and her commitment to its development.
Indiana University Northwest (IU Northwest): A public university located in Northwest Indiana, actively engaged in education, research, and service activities through close collaboration with the local community.
Center for Urban and Regional Excellence (CURE): An institution under IU Northwest, aiming to support the growth and development of the local community through various educational programs and research projects that address the community's needs.
Food Desert: An environment in low-income areas where it is difficult to purchase fresh and healthy food. The CURE Center plans to implement projects to improve food access in these areas.
Love Your Block: A resident-led community improvement program implemented by the City of Gary, providing small grants to residents to solve community issues and revitalize their neighborhoods.
The new opening of the CURE Center is expected to be a significant milestone in IU Northwest's commitment to further strengthening its partnerships with the local community and actively contributing to its development.
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