The halls of City Life Center of Northwest Indiana vibrated with children’s screams and the patter of their feet. Music filled the halls as staff members began preparing dinner for the dozens of kids filling the gymnasium. Oct. 29 was a special day for them: It let the kids celebrate Harvest Days before Halloween and […]
Community
Posted inCommunity
Where to Get Free Food in Northwest Indiana in November
As the holiday season approaches, many families are navigating the uncertainty of rising food costs. With the tightening of state and federal eligibility requirements in recent months, changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and the aftermath of the Aug. 11 storm, many more residents are seeking additional food assistance. In response, churches, schools, […]
Posted inCommunity
How Gary’s First Baptist Church Is Changing Under Its First Woman Pastor
An air of jubilation settled over one of Gary’s oldest churches as members prepared for their pastoral anniversary. Pastor Nicole Guns sat at her desk, surrounded by mementos she brought from Virginia and those she collected in Gary, trying to figure out what her congregation had planned for her. In October 2025, Guns came to […]
Posted inCommunity, Redevelopment, Sports
For Gary Golfers, a Renovated Range Represents More Than a Place to Play
Sunlight beamed down as community members strolled up the track surrounding South Gleason Park on Tuesday, heading toward the sound of golf clubs striking balls. “So who’s playing golf?” asked one resident as they watched different folks take turns hitting balls. Behind Indiana University Northwest, dozens of Gary residents gathered on the green to celebrate […]
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After 36 Years Serving Gary, She’s Leading Its New $50 Million YMCA
As LaShawn Brooks prepared to retire from her job with the city of Gary, she was unsure about what lay ahead. But when she was tapped as the new executive director of the Gary Tolleston YMCA, it felt like coming home, as if she found her true purpose. “This very area is where I was […]
Posted inCommunity, Politics & Policy
FEMA Deadline Is Less Than a Week Away.
The FEMA deadline for Gary and other Northwest Indiana residents to apply for assistance is less than a week away. The Aug. 11 storm that knocked out power for more than 38,000 Gary utility customers for two to three weeks is behind us. But many residents are still recovering from the toll, including physical, mental, […]
Posted inCommunity, Events
Where to Get Free Food in Gary and Northwest Indiana This October
Many families these days are navigating rising food costs. In response, churches, schools, and nonprofit organizations across Northwest Indiana will host dozens of free food distributions throughout October. The distributions come as changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, and the aftermath of the Aug. 11 storms continue to affect households across Indiana. […]
Posted inCommunity
A Look Inside Gary’s New $50 Million YMCA
Photos by Javonte AndersonVideo produced by Kuwilileni Hauwanga and Rayonna Burton-Jernigan The Tolleston neighborhood welcomed a new community hub Monday, when Gary’s new YMCA campus opened its doors, offering financial, health, and childcare services. Located at 1771 Taney Place, on the site of the former Tolleston Middle School, the facility is one of the few […]
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Gary Residents Have 4 Days Left to Get FEMA Help in Person
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is in Gary, offering a one-stop shop for Northwest Indiana residents affected by the Aug. 11 storm. The recovery center is at McBride Hall in United Steelworkers Local 1014, 1301 Texas St., Gary. State and federal officials will be available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Friday, Oct. 2. […]
Posted inBusiness, Community, Extreme Weather
How Gary Businesses Kept the Community Going Without Power
For James Hendricks, owner of Koney King and Cut Time Barbershop, two businesses in the Midtown area of Gary, Aug. 11 began like a typical business day. He opened both businesses and welcomed clients and customers. But within hours, the weather would take a turn and bring one of the worst days that Gary has […]
