Mental Health Partners

Kim Hall, Executive Director of Mental Health Partners of Hancock County spoke to Kiwanis about their organization.  Mental Health Partners of Hancock County is a not for profit organization dedicated to partnering with individuals, businesses, organizations, and the community for Mental Health and Emotional Wellness.Since 1954, MHP has provided a variety of programs that encourage individuals to maintain mental health and emotional wellness. Primary focus is to over-ride the stigma of having mental and emotional issues and gain access to avenues that will provide opportunities to overcome the issues that hold people back from having happier and productive lives.

Boy's and Girl's Club

Chad Hudson, Executive Director of the Hancock County Boys and Girls Clubs of Hancock County spoke to Kiwanis about his background and the state of children throughout the country as well as Hancock County.   Hudson grew up in Hancock County and spent his childhood playing at the Club,  He reminisced about Jim Andrews.  Hudson spent time teaching in elementary, alternative and adult schools before becoming the Executive Director.  
He compared the audience's  80% participation in scouts, athletic programs, and similar programs to 25% for today children. 

He noted that nationally each day:

• 16,200 children 4th grade through 12th grade are suspended from school.
• 2,800 teenagers dropout of school.
• 1,800 children are abused
• 3,600 children are arrested, 384 for drugs, 167 for violent crimes
• 21 children die from murder or suicide

The Boys and Girls Club provides services for children regardless of their ability to pay.  In 2015, 552 children were served.  So far through 2016, 612 children have been served.

Girls on the Run

Lorri Brune, Executive Director of Girls on the Run of Central Indiana presented Kiwanis with information about their program.  We inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running.  Girls on the Run is in all 50 states and Canada. 
Meeting twice a week in small teams of 8-15 girls, we teach life skills through dynamic, conversation-based lessons and running games. The 20-lesson curriculum is taught by certified Girls on the Run coaches and includes three parts: understanding ourselves, valuing relationships and teamwork and understanding how we connect with and shape the world at large.
The program has 125 students in Hancock County at Harris Elementary, Maxwell Intermediate, New Palestine Elementary and Eastern Hancock Middle School.
For more information see http://www.gotrci.org/ or  e-mail lorri.brune@girlsontherun.org. 

Thank you Jim Cherry

Jim Cherry completed his term as President of Kiwanis for 2015-2016 at the September 27 meeting.  Jim provided the program with slides about his trip to Brazil to see agricultural operations at mega farms in Manaus and Brazillia.  The club members thanked Jim for work in the past year. He was presented a scrapbook with pictures and stories of the past year.

New Officers Installed

2016-17 Officers installed September 27 were Donna Owen, Secretary; Barb Kauchak, President-Elect; Gerry Smith, Vice-President; and  Patric McClarnon, Treasurer. Chris Thompson was previously installed as the President.

New Members Initiated

New Members were initiated into Kiwanis. From left Susan Cherry, sponsor with new members Ron and Sarah Mohr, and Deb Cherry; New Members Shane Bryant, Drew and Judy Mulligan with their sponsors Jan and Steve Burt.

Spell Bowl Team

Barb Kauchak, Sandy Miller, Sue True, and Dave Medved represented Kiwanis at the Hancock County Adult Literacy Coalition Spell Bowl