The City of Gary is kicking off the Love Your Block initiative to engage residents and beautify neighborhoods.
Love Your Block, established by Bloomberg Philanthropies, is a grant program that funds resident-led neighborhood revitalization projects in U.S. cities.
“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,” Amanda Daflos said in a press release.
Daflos is the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University executive director. She said the center is excited to partner with Gary.
“This program is a significant step forward for our city that will empower our residents to make meaningful and lasting improvements in their neighborhoods,” Gary Mayor Eddie Melton said.
Gary’s Love Your Block program will address challenges faced by the Glen Park, Midtown and Black Oak neighborhoods.
“We made a deliberate and strategic decision to focus on these neighborhoods,” Kianna Grant, Gary director of constituent services, said. “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 included greening vacant lots and organizing neighborhood cleanups. Communities have also created opportunities for beautification, cultural celebrations and public engagement.
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 focused on public infrastructure, parks, arts, culture and tourism.
“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,” Melton said. “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.”
