College and Career Readiness School-Community Alliance
The College and Career Readiness School-Community Alliance connects organizations to students and families through our mission to establish plans for school and community collaborations that build necessary life skills for students and families to effectively live and work in a competitive global economy and society.
The CCR Alliance identifies and supports strategic projects and programs to build college, career, and character development pathways that support students and families as they pursue educational, career and life goals.
CCR Meeting Dates
Executive Committee
Chair: Dr. Coni Taslim, Gary Alumni Pathways to Students (GAPS) Executive Director
Lisa Bennett, GAPS Board Chair
Kerchell Hobson, Gary Community School Corporation (GCSC) Chief Academic Officer
Roslyn Malouhos, Junior Achievement NWI/Chicago Director
Dr. Dorothy Frink, Indiana University Northwest (IUN) Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management
Candace Rayburn, IUN Indiana College Core Management Specialist
Lupe Valtierra, Purdue Extension-Lake County Community Development Educator
Joy Holliday, Gary Mayor’s Office Chief of Staff
Additional Partners
Dr. Janet Seabrook, Community HealthNet
Dr. Vanessa Nichols, Gary Area Career Center
Jená Bellezza, Indiana Parenting Institute
Jodi Kateiva, Legacy Foundation
Anita Johnson, Purdue GEAR UP
Wendell Mosby, Boys and Girls Club
In the spring of 2023, GAPS distributed surveys to Gary students, parents, and other community members to determine community needs.
Top needs identified included support in the areas of:
- Employment
- Mental Health
- Clothing/Shoes
- Food
- School break/summer camps
- Tutoring support
- Clothing/Shoes
- Support groups
- Mentoring/life-coaching support Internet access
The top desired workshops identified included support in the areas of:
- Job preparation/résumé writing
- Depression
- Financial advice/budgeting
- Weight loss/management
- Computer classes
- Alcohol/drug use prevention
- Parenting classes
- Financial advice/budgeting
If you would like to join our efforts in supporting the needs of the Gary community,
Please complete the College and Career Readiness School-Community (CCR) Alliance Interest Survey, and we will follow-up with you immediately.