Vibrant Communities Block Grant announces newest recipient

ELKHART COUNTY, Ind. -- A new grant program is empowering residents to take the lead in shaping their communities.   

This is all part of the larger Vibrant Communities' initiative, which launched in 2016 to strengthen quality of life across Elkhart County. 

The goal is to empower residents to shape the place they call home from small projects like block parties, to medium projects like seating areas, to large projects like upgrading playgrounds.  

Previous block grant projects have included everything from community brunches to music gatherings and even restoring a neighborhood fountain. Grants offer up to $2,500 to help jumpstart projects that beautify and unite communities across Elkhart County.

"We really think that the more residents are invested in their own community, the more emotionally attached they feel, the better, stronger community that we will have in Elkhart County. And sometimes ideas need a little bit of encouragement, a little nudge, and sometimes it's a matter of funding, or sometimes it's just a matter of knowing that there are programs that will support them," Director for Communications for the Elkhart Visitors Bureau Terry Mark said.   

For people who are interested, all you need to do is apply at Vibrant Elkhart Community's website, share the project, the cost and who is helping.  

Mark says this is all about encouraging community input and ideas and offers residents a lead role in revitalizing the county’s diverse neighborhoods. 

"We really want this to be a collaborative not just a single person, project. We want it to be an effort that brings residents together, people who live in the same neighborhood, to work together and bring something fun to their area to life," Mark said.

The latest recipient is Lauren Sedillo, a native to downtown Elkhart since 2015. 

Sedillo is launching a tool library for neighbors living along the 100 and 200 blocks of division and state streets. 

The library will be a shared space where residents can borrow lawn, yard, and household tools for free. Residents can check out what they need, use it, and return it just like checking out a book.

"Other than just having shared access to resources, high dollar tools, I really see this as a way to help train other residents on skills that they're not so comfortable with. There'll be knowledge sharing there, plus no better example for the younger residents of the neighborhood to learn how to work cooperatively with other people who they might not see on a day in, day out basis," Sedillo said.

Although there's no set timeline, Sedillo says she hopes to have the tool library up and running by June.