Michigan City Commission for Women to split $3,000 mayoral grant between scholarships and senior beautification

The Michigan City Commission for Women voted Jan. 15 to split a $3,000 Community Activation Grant from the mayor’s charitable gala into two $1,500 awards: one for scholarships and one for senior-focused beautification projects.

Treasurer Nyla Williams reported the commission’s balance, saying the account stood at $13,044.63 on Jan. 13 after receiving the $3,000 grant and clearing prior payments. The grant must be used on projects inside Michigan City, be completed by March 15, 2026, and be followed by a final report with photographs by April 1, 2026.

Commissioners discussed options including allocating the entire amount to scholarships or dividing it between scholarships and neighborhood cleanup/beautification work aimed at seniors. The commission identified likely local partners and referral sources — North Central Community Action Agency (contact Cindy Davis), area school counselors (AK Smith), the NAACP (Donita Scully), the Eastport Neighborhood Association (Wendy Willis) and veterans’ organizations — and discussed eligibility guidance such as prioritizing residents 65 and older or residents with chronic medical conditions.

The commission voted to adopt the recommendation to split the funds $1,500 and $1,500 and asked a small subcommittee, led by acting secretary Keisha and volunteers, to develop a plan, identify recipients, and secure a venue for any scholarship presentation. The subcommittee will meet via Zoom on Feb. 2 at 6:00 p.m. to review outreach results; no formal votes will take place at that follow-up meeting.

The commission also discussed presenting scholarships at a televised city council meeting to streamline reporting and photo documentation required by the grant.

Next steps: the subcommittee will contact the partners named by commissioners, assemble application materials or referral forms, and return to the commission with recommendations at the February meeting so the awards can be distributed and the grant requirements met on schedule.