(Gary, IND) The Gary Community School Corporation (GCSC) is proud to announce a successful outcome from its recent Family Engagement Week, which concluded with a powerful Parent and Community Roundtable Discussion. The event brought together families, students, and community partners for an open conversation about the challenges facing students and how the district and community can work together to support their needs.
During the discussion, one student from West Side Leadership Academy expressed a heartfelt request for more opportunities to “talk out problems” through small group supports focused on emotional wellness. That single comment sparked immediate action.
Gary Alumni Pathways to Success (GAPS) representative Tieanna Walker, who was in attendance, quickly connected with community partner For the Love of the Arts, Inc., in extending their SHINE Youth program. Originally, the SHINE Youth Recovery Café sessions were only held weekly at Flourish Community HUB, providing support to youth ages 13-18 through life skill education, peer to peer support sessions and recovery circles on Fridays. But now have expanded to include additional mental wellness programming at Gary Middle School, Bailly Middle School and West Side Leadership Academy.
This rapid response demonstrates the power of collaboration and student voice in shaping meaningful change.
GCSC extends special thanks to For the Love of the Arts, Inc., for swiftly expanding services, GAPS for facilitating key connections, and the Gary Health Department, which sponsors the mental health programming provided through Shine. The district also acknowledges the Public and Community Engagement Team, whose ongoing work connects community resources and partners to district initiatives and student-centered goals.
“This is exactly what family and community engagement should look like,” said Chelsea Whittington, Chief of Public & Community Relations for the Gary Community School Corporation. “Our students spoke up, our partners listened, and together we turned a simple request into a system of support that will help many more students across the district.”
The success of Family Engagement Week underscores GCSC’s continued commitment to listening to families, empowering students, and building stronger partnerships that directly enhance student well-being and academic success. Middle school students wanting to join the support groups can take advantage of the program offered during their advisory period. High school students are offered groups after school. For more information on how to be involved, please contact GAPS, Tienanna Walker at tieanna.walker@gapsgary.org
For the latest district news, please visit garyschools.org.