Indiana DCS grants foster children’s wishes
Indiana Department of Child Services Director Eric Miller joined One Simple Wish to grant the wishes of four local foster children last week in celebration of Foster Care Month. One Simple Wish, a nonprofit organization, works with child-welfare agencies nationwide to grant wishes for children in foster care. Any child in the foster care system can submit a request – whether for an item or an experience – and One Simple Wish publishes their wish online, inviting donors to pitch in and make the child’s wish come true.
“We know that being in foster care can be difficult for children, and anything we can do to lift them up is important,” Miller said. “It’s an honor to work with partners like One Simple Wish to do something meaningful for these kids and give them something to be excited about.”
DCS and One Simple Wish staff gathered at DCS’ Marion County South office Tuesday to provide the children with treats and gifts, including a basketball hoop, a gymnastics mat and a scooter.
“Every day, we work with more than 2,000 agency partners like Indiana DCS to amplify the voices of kids and young adults by sharing their wishes on our website,” One Simple Wish Founder and Executive Director Danielle Gletow said. “We’re traveling throughout the U.S. during Foster Care Month to meet our partners and kids and encourage everyone to join us in making more wishes come true.”
Learn more about One Simple Wish and how to grant a wish for a child in foster care here.
Camp Good Grief Registration is open
31st Annual BHRC Essay/Arts Contest Winners Announced
The Bloomington Human Rights Commission (BHRC) announced the winners of its annual essay/art contest for area students in grades K-6 at its annual awards ceremony on Thursday, May 18, at City Hall. Mayor John Hamilton presented the awards to this year’s winners. The theme for this year’s contest was “Are people in the U.S. getting more or less tolerant of others?” This year’s judges were Erin McAlister, Carolyn Calloway-Thomas, Valeri Haughton-Motley, and Tonda Radewan, all members of the BHRC.
This year’s essay winners addressed the topics of Sexism, Tolerance, and Treatment of the Homeless Population, respectively.
- 1st Place: Parker McGaha, 6th Grade from Templeton Elementary
- 2nd Place: Shealah Campbell, 5th Grade from Templeton Elementary
- 3rd Place: Lamelle Johnson, 4th Grade from Templeton Elementary
Kindergarten – 3rd Grade Division:
- 1st Place: Jenny Lee
- 2nd Place: Ada Pigg
4th and 5th Grade Division:
- 1st Place: Lyra Dimmick
- 2nd Place: Anette Gjerdingen
6th – 8th Grade Division:
- 1st Place: Tesla Waters
- 2nd Place: Parker McGaha
For more information, please contact Bloomington Human Rights Commission Director Michael Shermis at 812-349-3429 or email the Commission at human.rights@bloomington.in.gov.
Arts camps for kids returning to StoneGate in Bedford this summer
The Center for Lifelong Learning at Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington is offering one-week arts camps for youth in grades 3-9 in downtown Bedford starting June 12, with costs ranging from $75 to $125 per week. Scholarship opportunities may cover the cost of camps for families seeking financial assistance.
Returning this year, Stonegate Arts Camps will provide local opportunities for Lawrence County youth to get creative, perform on stage, and explore the arts this summer.
- In the performing arts, StoneGate Music Camp: The Floating House and StoneGate Performing Arts Camp: Seussical Kids, will offer young performers the chance to learn songs, dances, and play musical instruments. Both camps are open to new and experienced performers and will conclude with a performance for parents and friends at StoneGate’s Black Box Theatre.
- Visual arts camps will feature a variety of new topics this year, including printmaking, fiber arts, painting, and other arts and crafts. Students will have the chance to explore these mediums with hands-on projects for all skill levels. Most visual arts camps will culminate in an art show at the Stonegate Arts & Education Center, where family and friends will get to see their young artist’s creations on display.
- Youth arts camps will include transportation assistance from The City of Bedford for campers located within city limits to and from the StoneGate Arts & Education Center. Additional support, including scholarship opportunities that cover the cost of camp, are provided by United Way of South Central Indiana, Duke Energy, and Bedford Public Library.
Camps will be held in June and July with 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. options. For details and to register online, visit www.ivytech.edu/CLL and look for Youth Programs.
This Week in Hoosier History
May 1972 at the Beginning of the 56th running of the Indy 500, Jim Nabors sang the song “Indiana” which is known as “Back Home Again in Indiana.” He sang “Indiana” before the race from 1972-1978 as well as every year but 2 from 1983-2006.
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