Lowery leads $400,000 community outreach program

A HUD-funded initiative brings campus and neighborhoods together to build an ‘stronger, healthier community’

Hug

“The IU Northwest COPC grant is part of $7.5 million in awards given to 24 higher education institutions by (former) HUD secretary Andrew Cuomo,” said Lowery. “The intent of the grant is to help universities better integrate themselves in the neighborhoods surrounding their campus while helping to build stronger, healthier communities.”

The credit for the grant, added Lowery, goes to SPEA professor Rick Hug and community advocate Jerry Long.

The COPC grant includes five operational components: an education project; a neighborhood revitalization project; a community organization project; a business development project; and university initiatives. Two key community partners, the Glen Park Community Development Corporation (CDC) and the Glen Park Community Oriented Policing (COP), are also involved with the project.

“This is a wonderful way for IU Northwest to participate with the community in Gary’s continuing revitalization,” said Lowery, adding that substantial work has been undertaken with university and community partners while progress in all areas of the five operational components has been made.

But there is still a great deal of work to do, said Lowery. “At the completion of the three-year grant, I hope the CDC will be seen as a strong, vibrant voice in the community, and that tangible improvements in housing and the business community will be made.”

http://www.indiana.edu/campus/iu-northwest.html