Building on a long tradition of caring, "Nexus--Connecting Youth to Opportunity" engaged 17 Valparaiso youth (ranging from grades 7-11) over eight weeks this summer. A community-based program supported by and serving those in our community, Nexus immersed local youth in intensive mentoring through:
- worksite internships: mornings;
- life-enhancing educational sessions: afternoons;
- field trips on Fridays;
- group trip (east coast historical sites and American.landmarks);
- resourcing participating youth for post-high school training or education.
Inspired by Pastor Derek Perkins and Karyn Farrar-Perkins (organizational development), Nexus leadership was provided by program coordinators Lisa Floran and Sam Stoner, east coast trip chaperones--Tom Neff, Miguel Rosario, "Big Tiny," Nexus Executive and Development Board members--Jill McKewan, Jack Phelps, Loie Reiner, Ed Senne, Elizabeth Stanley, Bob Stoner, Carol Stoner, John Wolf, City of Valparaiso, First United Methodist Church, Horizon Bank, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Rod and Jacqueline Kuehnle, men of '0700,' Reiner Center, University of Notre Dame, Valparaiso University Christopher Center, Valparaiso University School of Law--Jeremy Telman, Workforce Innovations, WSBT-TV (South Bend)--John Mann, Al Mann, YMCA, and others.
Sponsoring Worksites: Brian Bennett, City of Valparaiso, Coolman Communities, Design Construction of NWI, Hoeppner Wagner and Evans, Lakeshore Bone and Joint, Leaf of Indiana, Martz and Boyles, Medical Connections, N-ovations, Ortho, Inc., Porter County Primary Care, Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce, Valpo Methodist Church, Valparaiso Police Department.
Many individuals and groups undergirded the 2009 program. Special thanks to: Project Neighbors, Robert Boetel and crew, Pastor Dave Byrum, Mayor Jon Costas, Jim Crisman, Rebecca Flannery, John Hardwick, Drs. Michael and Cindy Leland, Margie and Lloyd Miller, D.J. Murvine, Alberta Petrone, Sandi Pettit, Kate Shifflett, Elizabeth Stanley, Norma Wallace, and the Porter County Community Foundation.
Contributions empowering Nexus (2010) may be sent to:
Nexus
P.O. Box 263
Valparaiso, IN 46384