The City of Gary, Indiana announced the launch of the Love Your Block initiative. This program focuses on beautifying Gary neighborhoods, engaging residents, and creating lasting improvements that will enhance the overall quality of life in the city.
Love Your Block, established by Bloomberg Philanthropies, is a grant program that funds resident-led neighborhood revitalization projects in U.S. cities. It builds on the successful legacy of Cities of Service, a program that has empowered hundreds of mayors and municipalities to engage residents as a leading voice in public problem-solving since its launch by New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg in 2009.
“Each Love Your Block city helps demonstrate one of the most important skills required to drive innovation in city halls – the ability to center resident voices,” said Amanda Daflos, Executive Director of the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University. “We are excited to partner with Gary to build on the successful legacy of support from Bloomberg Philanthropies and Cities of Service and accelerate their efforts to partner with communities to drive local impact through funding, staff support, and the innovation expertise to help sustain resident-led change.”
“I am thrilled Gary has been selected as one of 16 cities to participate in the 2024-2026 Love Your Block Grant Program,” said Gary Mayor Eddie Melton. “During my first year in office, we’ve focused on investing in infrastructure for our city and improving the quality of life for our residents. This program is a significant step forward for our city that will empower our residents to make meaningful and lasting improvements in their neighborhoods.”
The City of Gary’s Love Your Block program will address the multifaceted challenges faced by three local neighborhoods: Glen Park, Midtown, and Black Oak.
Glen Park: Anchored by the Broadway corridor, this area is home to numerous small businesses and has the potential to become a thriving hub of commerce and community life. The city aims to enhance its appeal and strengthen its role as an economic driver Gary.
Midtown: This neighborhood has faced significant population loss and struggles with widespread blight. As one of the most affected areas, Midtown will receive targeted efforts to address its challenges and reimagine its future as a livable and connected community.
Black Oak: Historically marginalized due to systemic neglect and low population density, Black Oak holds rich potential. The city will prioritize equity and inclusion, working to restore its reputation as a viable and flourishing part of Gary.
“We made a deliberate and strategic decision to focus on these neighborhoods,” said City of Gary’s Director of Constituent Services Kianna Grant. “Our projects will honor the rich history of each neighborhood, celebrate their unique character, and strengthen community pride.”
As a participant in the program, Gary has received $100,000 to support projects throughout the community.
Projects in other cities have historically included greening vacant lots, organizing neighborhood cleanups, and creating opportunities for beautification, cultural celebrations, and public engagement.
To ensure residents play an active role in shaping the projects for the selected neighborhoods, the city will host listening table sessions where community members can collaborate with city officials and stakeholders. Residents will then be able to apply for mini grants, ranging from $500 to $2,000, focused on one of three categories: public infrastructure, environmental / parks, and arts / culture / tourism.
In addition to reducing blight and improving public spaces, a 2021 study by the Urban Institute found that cities participating in Love Your Block were able to strengthen social cohesion among residents, increase civic participation, and build stronger relationships with community members, leading to greater trust in local government.
“Initiatives like Love Your Block are about strengthening our communities,” said Mayor Melton. “By bringing residents together to beautify our neighborhoods, we’re not just transforming our environment, but also encouraging civic participation, and building stronger connections between residents and local government. This is how we create a city that thrives on collaboration and shared purpose, where every community member has a stake in Gary’s future.”
To volunteer or for more information, email lyb@gary.gov. For the latest updates, visit https://www.gary.gov/loveyourblock
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Susie Young Baxter, CEO, has published PanoramaNOW Magazine for 31 years. Her hobbies are Camping, Boating, Hiking, Nature, Gardening and Outdoor Activities. She is an Artist, Graphic Designer, an Avid Seamstress, Dabbles in Homemade Crafts and Landscaping. Since her Father was a Health Teacher, she also likes homeopathic Health Solutions. Since blogging started over 10 years ago, PanoramaNow has been added to Newsbreak – a national news affiliate.
