The Remarkable Life of Jim Needham
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CHIEF
LOGAN PARKER
DALEVILLE H.S. STUDENT ATHLETE OF THE MONTH
Writer / Julie Yates
Logan Parker, a recent graduate of Daleville Junior/Senior High School, is June’s Male Student Athlete of the Month, sponsored by IU Health.
Sports have been an important part of his life ever since he can remember. From the time he could hold a baseball, he played catch with his father and participated in organized basketball from first grade on. Even before he joined his school’s track team in fifth grade, Parker was an avid runner.
“I absolutely love basketball. Basketball in Indiana is more than just regular basketball. I come from a basketball family; both my grandpa and my dad played. They have always encouraged me to stick with it, and I ended up developing a love for it,” Parker says.
I don’t like losing! As a junior, I was undefeated in the 400 until I hurt my back before county. I was also undefeated during the regular season of my senior year.”
Parker shares that he enjoys shooting the ball. Since Daleville is a small school, he had to be flexible and switch positions if needed. Playing as power forward and small forward enabled him to make his favorite type of shots.
“I have a pure passion for basketball. In seventh grade I broke my wrist and learned to shoot left-handed just so I could keep playing. I love the bad days, the good days and all the in between,” Parker says.
“Track is harder to love on a bad day,” admits Parker. “I’ve tried most all the events but senior year I did the 4 x 800, 400 and 4 x 400. The 400 is my pride and joy. I’ve been doing the 400 since fifth grade. It’s an all-out sprint and a very mental strenuous push.
Unlike the 400, which is an individual dash once around a 400-meter track, the 4 x 400 and 4 x 800 are relay events. Teams of four runners run one lap each for the 4 x 400 and two laps each for the 4 x 800. Practice and experience are needed to develop successful baton hand offs.
“I like the team aspect of the 4 x 8. It’s the first event at meets and a good warm up. It’s great to chase someone who is out in front. It’s easy to know to do the baton hand off and know when to take off if you know the other runners. I’ve been running with my senior teammates since I switched to Daleville in seventh grade and I’ve been on the same team with the juniors since eighth grade,” Parker says.
“My dad has been my biggest mentor. He is a great motivator. Basketball coach Jordan King stepped in this year and believed in us as players. He put a lot of faith back into the team,” Parker adds.
Although he was accepted at Ball State University and planned to study finance and business, Parker listened to his heart and changed gears. His love of hiking, hunting and fishing led him to Vincennes University to pursue an associative degree program in conservation law. His end goal is to become an Indiana Conservation Officer.
Known for his good humor, Parker is also considered to be well rounded. He reads a lot and is always striving to learn something new. He buys small engines such as mowers and gocarts just to figure out how they work. Odd jobs for neighbors plus mowing and mulching are done amidst his many activities.
Leadership positions have included student council, athletic council and the superintendent advisory council. As a part of the school’s media group, he was filmed doing news updates which are loaded on YouTube. He is also a member of National Honor Society.
Parker’s contributions to his school community have been noticed. He has received recognition as a Mid-Eastern Conference Star Student and was tapped as a member of the Pridemark Construction Future Leader of America Series. However, he began his high school experience without any aspirations. His
plan was to be quiet and reserved until graduation.
“Then my sophomore year I decided to go for academic honors and get into as much as I could. I got carried away and I kept on moving on the next thing; I never slowed down! Now when I look back at everything, I am glad I met so many people and got to do some good things. My advice is don’t be afraid to fail. Put yourself out there and actively want more,” Parker says.
ALL-AROUND ACHIEVER
MAKENNA CORBIN BALANCES SPORTS, LEADERSHIP & SERVICE
Writer / Julie Yates
Makenna Corbin, a recent graduate of Daleville Junior/Senior High School, is June’s Female Student Athlete of the Month, sponsored by IU Health. An outgoing leader, she was involved in both athletics and student government. Corbin has participated in sports ever since she can remember, but her favorites are track, cross-country and basketball.
“I started playing basketball in kindergarten. My dad really liked the sport and encouraged me to do it; we are in Indiana! I started doing cross-country in fifth grade and track in seventh grade. I did track because of my friends and grew to love the sport,” says Corbin.
As a freshman and sophomore, Corbin’s track events were the 100-meter and 300-meter hurdles. During her junior and senior years, she transitioned to distance events. It was not a hard shift since she had experience with the 5K, or 3-mile run, in cross-country.
Corbin admits that longdistance running is hard on some days. However, since she has been a competitive runner since middle school, she has worked on the mental discipline that’s necessary for success. The fact that she loves to run made it easier.
“One of the mentors I had was Dave Ellis. He was my cross-country coach in fifth grade. Then I had him as a track coach in high school. He created a good team atmosphere. One of the most challenging times I had was during my sophomore year. I got a stress fracture in my ankle, and I couldn’t compete in sectionals for track,” says Corbin.
Coach Joe Rench did a lot for the team,” says Corbin.
“My favorite sport was always cross-country. I loved running outdoors and being part of the team. My junior year, I made it my goal to break my 7-minute mile. My fastest time was 6 minutes, 33 seconds. But this year I got a new appreciation for my basketball team.
During the 2025-26 season, the Lady Broncos had the highest winning record in the school’s history. Corbin achieved a personal best of her own; she scored more points as a senior than she had in previous years. However, she is considered an unselfish player and is more than willing to share the ball.
“I played whatever position Coach put me in.
It was usually point guard or shooting guard, which is my favorite since you move around a lot more. I enjoyed giving my teammates the opportunity to score,” says Corbin.
The point guard and shooting guard positions have similarities and work together, yet have separate roles. A point guard in basketball is like a quarterback in football. They must make quick decisions to set up plays. Skills needed are quickness and strong ball-handling ability. As the name implies, shooting guards excel at scoring. They must be good at passing, balance and shooting.
“I like that basketball is a team sport and how competitive it is compared to other sports. A great moment for me was my sophomore year when we were sectional champions. I made the tie-breaking point to win the game; I was so happy to do that for my team,” says Corbin.
Contributing to the school community was an important aspect of Corbin’s school experience. She served as class president as well as Athletic Council president. In addition, she was involved in student media, working on the yearbook and serving on the school news team. This summer, she can be found working at the snow cone stand at the splash pad in Daleville Town Hall Park.
During the first semester of her senior year, Corbin attended Muncie Area Career Center. From that experience, she decided to pursue a career in dental hygiene.
This fall, she will attend classes at the University of Cincinnati Blue Ash Campus while living at the university’s main campus. Her choice to attend UC was based on her desire to attend an out-of-state school, plus the excellent reputation of the institution’s dental hygiene program. At the present time, she is considering trying out for the women’s practice basketball team or participating in intramural sports.
“If someone asked me for advice about doing sports and activities in high school, I would tell them that if they put their mind to it, they can do it. Time management is important. So is surrounding yourself with good people,” says Corbin.
Packed with sizzlin’ hot attractions for the whole family, Fire Up DWNTWN is back with the 5th annual
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Sponsored by Destination: Muncie, The Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County, NASH FM, MITS
Sponsored by City of Muncie, Ball State University, Ivy Tech Muncie
Sponsored by Accutech Systems, Northwest Bank
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•
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GREATER MUNCIE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEMBER OF THE MONTH
SUMMIT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Writer / Amy Leffingwell
When Summit Christian School opened its doors, the goal was clear: provide students with an excellent education rooted in a biblical worldview while partnering closely with families. Under the leadership of Mandi Evans, Summit is already making an impact in Delaware County by offering a Christ-centered learning environment focused on academic achievement, character development and community.
“Summit Christian School exists to partner with parents in raising the next generation of leaders, equipping students with the knowledge, character and biblical worldview they need to thrive in an ever-changing world,” Evans says.
Although Summit operates under the Glad Tidings Church Network umbrella, the school is intentionally designed as a community school. Students and staff come from a variety of Christian backgrounds, creating an environment that emphasizes the shared foundations of the faith rather than denominational differences. Small class sizes and experienced teaching staff help foster strong relationships and individualized learning opportunities.
Faith is woven into every aspect of the school day through prayer, Bible instruction, weekly chapel services and the integration of biblical principles across academic subjects. Summit’s mission is not only to prepare students academically but also to equip them with the values and confidence needed to make a positive impact in their communities.
Despite completing only its inaugural year, Summit has already provided students with enriching experiences through field trips, art, music, physical education and library
programs. The school’s new facility features modern classrooms equipped with smart boards, while scholarships and Indiana’s School Choice Voucher Program help make tuition accessible to families.
Community involvement is also a priority. Summit families regularly participate in local events, fundraisers, Chamber activities and community celebrations, helping students develop a heart for service and connection.
Looking ahead, Summit’s future is bright. Plans include opening its new building, installing a playground, adding a grade level each year and eventually serving students from prekindergarten through 12th grade by 2035-36. Discussions are already underway for future middle school and elementary athletic programs.
“We are building more than a school,” Evans explains. “As Summit Christian School continues to grow and establish roots in our community, our vision extends far beyond today. We are creating a lasting institution that will serve families for generations, a place where children receive an excellent education grounded in biblical truth and are equipped to become leaders, parents, business owners, educators and community members who make a positive impact. We are laying a foundation today that we pray will strengthen our community and bless families for many decades to come.”
As Summit Christian School continues to grow, its commitment remains the same — developing students who pursue excellence, serve others with compassion and reflect the character of Christ in all they do.
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2026 ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONY
R E S U L T S
The Delaware County Committee for Integrity Enhancement held its 34th Annual Awards Ceremony on Monday, April 26th at Muncie Central High School. Sixty-three students from Delaware County received cash awards totalling nearly $4,000 for their winning essays on the subject of INTEGRITY. Additionally, two Personal Integrity Awards were presented to adult residents of Delaware County who were nominated as a result of demonstrating high principles and good morals in their daily lives and impacting the community in a positive way. Ball State Head Baseball Coach, Rich Maloney served as the featured speaker for the event, providing an inspirational message about the keys to living a life with INTEGRITY.
Elementary Winners Middle School Winners
Jayla Moody Ivy Feltt Nathanael Schultz
Schultz Avery Overholt Faizan Reshtya Albany EL Royerton EL Yorktown EL Yorktown MS Delta MS Muncie North MS
High School Winners Personal Integrity Award
1st - $1,000 2nd - $500
- $250
David Boone Ted Ward
Zaina Nasir Keelyn Douglas Priscilla Scott Yorktown Fire Shafer Leadership Indiana Academy Burris HS Home School Department Chief Academy
AROUND THE COMMUNITY, 2026
JULY
Submit Your Events!
2
MUNCIE MAKERS MARKET @ FIRST THURSDAY
Adams & Walnut Muncie, IN 5-8 p.m.
The Muncie Makers Market is a retail business incubator presented to the public through a community farmers marketwith fresh homemade food and locally grown produce.
2, 9, 16, 23, 30
SCIENCE CENTRAL
9312 W. Smith St. Yorktown, IN 10-11 a.m.
Science Central’s on-site children’s programming brings hands-on learning and interactive exploration to life throughout the summer at Civic Green.
3, 10, 17, 24, 31
YORKTOWN FARM & ARTISAN MARKET
1901 South Tiger Drive Yorktown, IN
4:30-7:30 p.m.
2026 Market Dates • Friday Evenings May 29 –September 25, 4:30p-7:30p (weather permitting) Voted the #3 market in Indiana The Yorktown Farm and Artisan is a farm, food, & artisan market.
4
FOUR
FOR THE FOURTH
9312 W. Smith St. Yorktown, IN 8:30 a.m.
Indiana’s biggest Independence Day Run Register at 444th.run
4
VETERANS COFFEE CLUB
2517 W. 8th St. Muncie, IN 9-11 a.m.
In 2020 a Veterans’ Coffee Club was established at theMuncie/Delaware Senior Center by the Board of Directors.
VETERANS COFFEE CLUB AND AUXILIARY
2517 W. 8th St. Muncie, IN 8:45-11 a.m.
In 2020, a Veterans’ Coffee Club was established at the Muncie/Delaware SeniorCenter by the Board of Directors.
YORKTOWN’S INDEPENDENCE DAY PARTY - LIVE MUSIC AND FOOD TRUCKS
1901 South Tiger Drive Yorktown, IN 3 p.m.
Spend your Independence Day evening in Morrow’s Meadow with live music, food, and a great community celebration in Yorktown.
7, 14, 21, 28
OPEN MIC NIGHT
519 North Elm St. Muncie, IN
7-10 p.m.
Open mic night every Tuesday at Elm St. Brewery, everyone is welcome! Student Discount with an ID.
10-11, 17-18
“THE UNIVERSE UPDATE” 6:30PM PLANETARIUM SHOW
2000 W. University Ave. Muncie, IN
July 10, 17: 6:30-7:30 p.m. July 11, 18: 5-6 p.m. and 6:307:30 p.m.
Fridays, July 10, 17 at 6:30 p.m. Saturdays, July 11, 18 at 6:30 p.m.
Explore the latest discoveries in the cosmos and take a guided tour of the night sky during this live update.
11
MICHAEL
CLEVELAND & FLAMEKEEPER AT THE 2026 MUNCIE THREE TRAILS
MUSIC SERIES
500 S. Walnut St. Muncie, IN
7 p.m.
We are thrilled to welcome MICHAEL CLEVELAND & FLAMEKEEPER to the 2026 Muncie Three Trails Music Series on Saturday, July 11th, 2026, at 7:00 PM, at Canan Commons in Downtown Muncie.
16
3RD ANNUAL PICNIC ON THE GREEN
9400 W. Smith St. Yorktown, IN
4-8 p.m.
SAVE THE DATE for our 3rd Annual Picnic on the Green!
THIRD THURSDAYS WITH THE MUNCIE MAKERS MARKET
515 E. Main St. Muncie, IN
5-8 p.m.
THIRD THURSDAYS! Join our local Growers & Makers of the Muncie Makers Market for a really fun “night market” vibe EVERY MONTH for Third Thursdays at MadJax Maker Force! **ALL
18
MUSIC ON THE RANGE
3325 South Walnut St. Muncie, IN
7-9 p.m.
Join us for good music, great food, and a family-friendly atmosphere while listening to fantastic music performed by Isaac Ellison!
25
MUNCIE THREE TRAILS PRESENTS POKEY LAFARGE
500 South Walnut St. Muncie, IN
7 p.m.
Critically acclaimed musician Pokey LaFarge and his band will be performing a FREE outdoor concert
as part of the 2026 Muncie Three Trails Music Series. This concert is sponsored by Defur Voran.
27-31
NATS 2026 RC AEROBATICS
5161 E. Memorial Dr.
CREATING A CANVAS FOR COMMUNITY
The Creative Space Action Plan Seeks to Connect Artists, Places and Ideas to Strengthen Muncie’s Future
Muncie is home to a strong and growing creative community.
Creativity is abundant throughout Muncie and Delaware County. It appears in the classrooms of Ball State University and local schools, in exhibitions and programs at Minnetrista Museum & Gardens, during First Thursday ArtsWalk events, on the stage at Muncie Civic Theatre, and in the work of countless local artists, performers and organizations across the community. There is talent. There is energy. There is momentum.
What’s happening now is an opportunity to bring that momentum together—to better connect people, places and ideas in ways that support continued growth in a way only Muncie can.
Investing in the arts and downtown spaces isn’t simply a “nice to have.” It is an economic development strategy that brings growth and
excitement to Muncie and Delaware County. That is the purpose of the Creative Space Action Plan and how it will be used to retain, nurture and attract talent.
WHEN CREATIVITY NEEDS A HOME
Creative work doesn’t happen in isolation. It needs places to take shape, to be shared and to grow.
For artists, that may mean affordable studio space, places to perform or exhibit, and opportunities to collaborate while sharing ideas, talent and resources.
For the broader community and those who love the arts, it means experiences that make Muncie feel alive, opportunities to feel inspired, and shared moments that shape how people experience and talk about the city.
Without those spaces, even the most vibrant creative energy can become fragmented. People work in isolation, opportunities become harder to find, and seats go unfilled at performances because many are
left saying, “If only I had known this was happening.” Over time, talented artists may begin looking elsewhere for the support they need.
Muncie is working to retain that talent, support it with new and existing resources, and position Muncie and Delaware County as places where artists can put down roots and let their creativity flourish.
SETTING THE STAGE FOR WHAT’S NEXT
What makes this moment different is that Muncie is not starting from scratch. Across the community, there are already significant investments in arts and culture from local organizations, civic leaders, major institutions and grassroots initiatives. That momentum is real, and it is uniquely Muncie.
Nearly $200 million has already been invested in The Village, including the Performing Arts Center at Ball State University. The city has supported downtown infrastructure improvements designed to help the creative sector thrive.
State and private partners have invested $10 million to support housing in and around downtown, while local organizations continue seeking state and national funding for long-standing arts and cultural initiatives.
Muncie Arts and Culture Council (MuncieArts) has listened to the community and reemerged ready to serve artists, neighbors and visitors looking to connect with creativity.
The question now is how to build on that momentum.
How do we connect community assets— especially downtown, Ball State University and Minnetrista—build on existing investments, and convert cultural activity into broader community benefit?
That’s where the Creative Space Action Plan enters stage left.
A CHORUS OF COMMUNITY VOICES
The Creative Space Action Plan, formally announced in November 2024, is not a topdown strategy. It reflects input from more than 300 community members, including residents, artists and local organizations.
Through that process, a clear picture emerged:
Muncie has strong creative assets. There is interest in doing more.
There are gaps in how people, places and opportunities connect.
Every choir needs a director, so the initiative is taking on the challenge of convening the community to solve these issues. The Creative Space Action Plan serves as a roadmap to address those gaps, identifying both near-term actions and long-term strategies to strengthen Muncie and Delaware County’s creative ecosystem.
WHY IT MATTERS
At its core, the Creative Space Action Plan focuses on celebrating what already exists by strengthening Muncie’s cultural identity, bringing the arts community together to support collaboration and shared visibility, expanding access to creative space so more people can participate and contribute, and connecting key areas of the city to create a
more unified and accessible experience. These are practical steps, but they point to something bigger.
Creative space is not only about artists. It shapes how a community feels. It influences whether people choose to stay, invest and engage. Creative space contributes to economic development, supports small businesses and brings new life to shared spaces that are eager for visitors and new reasons to keep their lights on.
Just as importantly, creative spaces create opportunities for people to connect—with each other and with the place they call home.
LOOKING AHEAD
Some of this work is already underway. A core leadership team has formed. Early investments have been made. Grants have been pursued. Conversations continue, and collaboration is expanding.
The Creative Space Action Plan is not something that will be achieved by one organization alone. It is a shared roadmap that depends on continued participation from residents, artists, businesses and community leaders.
The goal is not simply to support the arts. It is to strengthen Muncie as a place where creativity contributes to economic vitality, community identity and long-term sustainability—and where people choose not just to create, but to stay.
MORE THAN POLITICS
A COMMUNITY STANDS BESIDE ITS MAYOR
For years, the people of Muncie have known Dan Ridenour as a steady presence.
At ribbon cuttings and neighborhood meetings. In moments of celebration and moments of challenge. A mayor focused on moving the city forward.
But recently, he sat down not simply as a public official, but as a man facing deeply personal news.
His prostate cancer, once considered slow-moving, has become more aggressive. Within the next month or so, he will undergo surgery and step away from City Hall for approximately six weeks to focus on recovery.
For many leaders, that kind of announcement might remain private. But Ridenour wanted the people of Muncie to know
what was happening — honestly, directly, human to human.
There is a vulnerability in that choice. Public service often asks people to appear unshaken, even during life’s hardest moments. Yet in sharing his diagnosis openly, the mayor offered something far more meaningful than certainty.
He offered authenticity.
Even while discussing surgery and recovery, his thoughts quickly turned outward toward the city he loves.
“Fortunately, we have some really strong departments,” he said. “I’m very comfortable with the leadership of each of those teams.”
There was confidence in his voice when speaking about
the people who help keep Muncie running every day. He emphasized that each department understands the mission and the work ahead. While he plans to remain available if questions arise, he knows the city is in capable hands during his absence.
That trust says something important about leadership. A strong city is not built by one person alone. It is built by teams, relationships and people committed to serving their community together.
Still, what stood out most was not discussion of operations or timelines. It was the heart behind his words.
When asked what keeps him motivated, his answer was simple.
“I love this city, and I know a lot of good things are in place.”
That love is evident in the projects he continues to talk about with excitement. The future transformation of the mall. New subdivisions taking shape. Thirty-four new homes planned for the Old West End.
Even while preparing for surgery, he remains focused on what is next for Muncie and the opportunities ahead for its residents.
But before all of that, there is this chapter. A chapter centered not on development plans or economic growth, but on healing.
The mayor said he would appreciate prayers and asked people to think of his family during this time.
There is something quietly powerful about hearing a leader
Just a husband, father and community member acknowledging that difficult moments affect entire families, not just individuals.
Ridenour also hopes his experience encourages others to take their health seriously.
“This shouldn’t be a life-threatening procedure,” he said, urging residents to get physicals and follow through when something feels off. “I’m not looking forward to the procedure. I am looking forward to getting through it and back to work.”
And perhaps that is the clearest picture of who he is.
Not someone pretending hardship does not exist. But someone determined to move through it with honesty, resilience and hope.
For now, the work of the city continues.
Projects move forward. Departments carry on their mission. And the community that Dan Ridenour has spent years serving now has the opportunity to stand beside him in return.
Not just as constituents. But as neighbors.
speak that plainly. No political language. No carefully polished distance.
FINGERPRINTS OF GOD
THE REMARKABLE LIFE OF JIM NEEDHAM
Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing
Jim Needham has lived countless lives throughout his 81 years. The retired Ball State professor, broadcaster, world traveler, scuba diver and author can trace every twist of his extraordinary journey back to one thing: the unmistakable fingerprints of God guiding him through each chapter.
His new memoir, God’s Still Calling…Finding God’s Fingerprints, came about when his grandchildren started asking questions about his life. In answering those questions, he realized he had enough stories to fill a book.
Needham’s life began with a jolt—quite literally. At age 4, he was rummaging through his father’s fishing tackle box when he fell backward into a bucket of boiling water his mother had set out to sterilize diapers.
“She grabbed me out of it, but the hot water stripped my skin right off,” he recalls.
It was the first of many trials that would shape his stubborn resilience.
“I was a strong-willed child,” he says with a laugh. “Still am.” Needham entered Indiana State University as a physics major, but after landing the lead role in a production of Daniel Boone, he realized he would rather be on stage than in a laboratory. He
switched to drama, then psychology, then speech, eventually weaving all three disciplines into a career that would take him across North America.
He worked at Channel 10 in Terre Haute before accepting a job in Ontario. Just one week into the position, his manager went on vacation and left him in charge of 26 employees. Drawing on his psychology background, Needham led a team that initially threatened to quit unless he addressed 18 workplace issues. He solved 17 of them.
From there, he moved to Kentucky as a television producer, juggling news programs, public affairs shows and even a film about saving South African bee colonies. His biggest break, however, came one afternoon in 1969 when his manager announced, “Needham, you’re going to work for the president.” Needham assumed he meant the university president. Instead, he was assigned to a special White House project under President Richard Nixon documenting hunger and nutrition across the country. He learned to operate a 120-pound portable video recorder, traveled to the third sub-basement of the White House and received a letter from the president’s special assistant guaranteeing he would not be arrested for civil offenses while on assignment.
He never used it—but a colleague did after being pulled over for driving 110 mph in Arizona. The officer read the letter, apologized and escorted him to the airport at 120 mph.
Needham’s unit director on the project was Verna Fields, who later won an Academy Award for editing Jaws. She became his mentor, even pounding on a hospital door at 4 a.m. to demand treatment when Needham came down with food poisoning. Every chapter of his life seems to come with a lesson attached. He once forgot to turn on the sound recorder during an interview with the head of the Kentucky Census Bureau. Rather than panic, he called, explained the situation and was given permission to repeat the interview.
Along the way, he met Doc Severinsen, best known for leading The Tonight Show orchestra under Johnny Carson. He filmed singer Karen Carpenter when she was 19, produced documentaries, hosted talk shows and eventually fell in love. Before marrying his wife, Linda—a widow with three young children—Needham went through what he jokingly calls “the approval tour,” meeting her friends and family. One summer day on the beach in Grand Haven, Linda’s 10-year-old daughter handed him her retainer and said, “Dad, will you take care of this?” It was the first time she had called him “Dad.”
He wrapped it in a napkin—and promptly lost it.
Instead of panicking, he prayed. He and Linda walked hand in hand along the shoreline for more than 30 minutes until they spotted a clear pink piece of plastic glinting in the sand. “When God answers your prayers,” Needham says, “you tell people about it.”
Needham is a vegan, scuba diver, teacher and world traveler. Now, thanks to his grandchildren, he is also an author whose memoir blends adventure, humor, heartbreak and faith. What propels the story is his unwavering belief that God has been present in every season of his life.
The book’s cover features his wife gazing at a cross dating to A.D. 1450 on the Scottish island of Iona. It is a fitting image for a man who has spent his life following God’s fingerprints.
EMPOWERING WOMEN
BUILDING STRENGTH THROUGH SUPPORT & COMMUNITY
Writer / Heather Collins
A new uplifting nonprofit organization is creating a sisterhood of support throughout Muncie.
Real conversations and real needs led president and founder Albone Kelly to launch Women Support Girls Women Support Each Other (WSGWSE) in 2023.
The mission of WSGWSE is to build a supportive community that uplifts and empowers women and girls from all backgrounds, including those facing adversities such as domestic violence, homelessness, poverty, incarceration, abuse and barriers to education. WSGWSE provides resources and support to help women grow holistically and realize their full potential.
A domestic abuse survivor, Kelly has overcome poverty, single motherhood and homelessness. Kelly evolved through her challenges with deepened empathy and resilience. She founded WSGWSE to provide
the critical support and strength she needed to grow beyond tremendous struggles and hardships.
Through WSGWSE, women and girls can garner power from their stories, claim their inner fortitude and transform struggles into success.
WSGWSE provides support groups, crisis assistance, empowerment workshops, community events, career development and youth-focused programs for women and children. Kelly said WSGWSE’s focus is on healing, development, leadership and breaking generational cycles through education, conversation and community connection.
“What led me to launch WSGWSE is simple, but deep — everybody needs support,” Kelly says. “Big or small, everybody needs that extra push, that safe space and somebody in their corner.”
Kelly said she recognized that many women are trying to survive without the proper support systems.
“I’ve experienced the weight of wanting more for yourself while trying to figure out how to get there,” Kelly says. “That pushed me to create a space where women don’t just survive — they grow, they heal and they reach a level where the cycle stops with them.”
Kelly said her work is personal and purposedriven, with a focus on caring. Kelly holds an associate degree in medical assisting and a bachelor’s degree in health care management. Both through her clinical work in rheumatology and with WSGWSE, Kelly aims to provide compassionate, relatable support.
“Helping people is my passion, and caring for others aligns with everything,” Kelly says. “I believe in service, compassion and purpose.” Kelly said creating lasting change inspired her
to lead WSGWSE.
“I want to see women sustained, not just encouraged in the moment, but sustained long-term,” Kelly says. “My goal is to help women break cycles so those same cycles don’t continue through them into the next generation.”
Each month, WSGWSE spotlights inspirational women and girls in the Muncie community, including Tae’Lyn and Addison. The two young girls represent the next generation of women leaders. Tae’Lyn is a rapper, straight-A student and a passionate dancer and cheerleader. Addison is an academically gifted volleyball player who showcases intelligence, teamwork and heart on and off the court.
Horizon Convention Center CEO and President LaShanta Vaughn, a WSGWSE supporter, described Kelly as a visionary and highly driven young leader.
“Kelly has transformed personal challenges into a powerful platform that uplifts and empowers women and girls from all backgrounds,” Vaughn says.
Vaughn said the organization’s mission extends beyond advocacy, addressing critical areas such as mental health, financial stability, self-care and personal development, while also emphasizing the importance of education.
“Kelly’s commitment to empowering others is both inspiring and impactful — her work reflects the kind of support system many wish they had access to earlier in life,” Vaughn says. “With a strong foundation and a clear vision, WSGWSE is poised to continue its growth, serving as a vital resource not only for the Muncie community, but as a model of empowerment with the potential for broader, even global, reach.”
WSGWSE partners with local community organizations, leaders and supporters to grow the organization’s outreach.
“We believe real change happens through unity, not isolation, and we actively work
with community partners to expand our impact,” Kelly says.
WSGWSE supporter James Williams attended WSGWSE events Been There Done That and the Roses and Pearls Annual Event in May. Williams said he believes the support and opportunities offered by WSGWSE are greatly needed.
“The organization’s mission aligns well with positive work already taking place in the community. As awareness continues to grow, I believe WSGWSE will have a significant and lasting impact on the lives of women, girls and families,” Williams says.
At WSGWSE’s Been There Done That event, Williams said he especially enjoyed seeing the smiles on children’s faces.
“It was inspiring to watch participants put their business ideas and plans on paper and confidently share their visions with others,” Williams says.
Upcoming events include Her Story Is Our Story at Heekin Park on July 18, The Financial Glow Up, a virtual workshop, on Oct. 17, and the Prayer Board Support Group on Dec. 12.
“I want the world to know that WSGWSE is not just an organization — it is a movement,” Kelly says. “It is a safe space for women and girls to be seen, heard and developed. We are building confidence, leadership, healing and generational change one program at a time.”
For more information, visit wsgwse.com.
