White Paper Projects Presented At KLA’s Project Proud
White Paper Projects Presented At KLA’s Project Proud
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Staff Report-
White Paper Projects Presented At KLA’s Project ProudKosciusko Leadership Academy held Project Proud on April 12 at Ivy Tech Community College.
Project Proud is an opportunity for the cadets to present their white paper projects completed during the KLA year, according to a news release from KLA. This year there were four projects presented to their fellow cadets, KLA board members, sponsors and public attendees, introduced by moderator Allyn Decker, PhD.
The first white paper project presentation was “Building for the Future.” This group consisted of Cindy Brady, Wawasee Community Schools; Tim Williams, Bowen Center; and Alyx Bates, Cardinal Services. Building for the future is an initiative to address the growing need for affordable housing in Kosciusko County, particularly in the northeast section of the county.
“Building Awareness of Employment Opportunities for Ex-Offenders in Kosciusko County” was presented by Jason Branham, Instrumental Machine and Development; and Dustin Dillon, city of Warsaw. The goal of this project is to help local businesses find employees as well as assist them with Workforce Recovery Education programs through Live Well Kosciusko. This initiative will help ex-offenders re-enter the workforce and become productive members of the community.
The next presentation, “Kids at the Core,” was given by Miriel McFarland, Instrumental Machine and Development; Chris Fancil, Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory; and Ryan Coble, Warsaw Police Department. The mission of this project is to help children experiencing divorce adjust to their new family structure. Recommendations include more in-person counseling for parents and more training for school representatives and educators.
“K-County First” white paper was by Lois Borkholder, Lutheran KCH; Kim Strawbridge, Lake City Bank; Mitchell Hall, Mike Hall-W.R. Hall Insurance Group; and Orville Haney, Homes, Land & Lakes Realty. The purpose is to address recruitment, retention and job satisfaction of first responders throughout Kosciusko County by encouraging business and corporate discounts.
The winning white paper project will receive the $1,000 Northenor Award, to be announced at the KLA graduation banquet on April 26. Serving as judges this year are Jean Northenor, KLA founder; Suzie Light, retired executive director, Kosciusko County Community Foundation; Rich Haddad, president and CEO of K21 Health Foundation; and Kevin Deardorff, retired executive vice president, Lake City Bank and current county foundation board president.
The Kosciusko Leadership Academy is in its 40th year of service to the county, the release states. As an independent 501-3(c) organization, KLA conducts biweekly morning sessions around the county to expose leaders to a wide variety of local topics and experts.
The annual whitepaper projects have yielded many benefits to the citizens of Kosciusko County. For more information, visit www.kocsciuskoleadership.org.
