The 1st Source Foundation provided a $50,000 grant to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana as they broke ground on their new Valpo Club which will feature a STEM lab, rock-climbing wall, two gymnasiums, enhanced programming, and other updates to keep pace with the Club’s ever-growing needs.
Ryan Smiley, Boys & Girls Clubs president & CEO, thanked the 1st Source Foundation and regional president Matt Vessely, noting that 1st Source also contributed to the youth organization’s Duneland Boys & Girls Club renovation.
“We’re grateful to 1st Source Foundation for believing in our mission of helping youth reach their full potential and supporting our work in the community,” Smiley said. “For them to support two different projects in such a big way speaks to their commitment to giving back. Their partnership means a lot to our Club members and us.”
Regional President of 1st Source Bank Matt Vessely hopes that through the completion of this new building, the Club in Valparaiso will reach more children and give them the vital resources they need to succeed. “1st Source Bank applauds the Clubs for creating this new facility and the valuable programs it provides in support of children in Valparaiso and the Greater Northwest Indiana area,” Vessely said. “Through these programs, the Clubs can enrich the lives of more children and their families.”
Last month, 1st Source became the newest partner in Valpo Park’s “Get On Board” fundraising phase of a new skatepark at Fairgrounds Park. The 1st Source Foundation is donating $50,000 to this project.
Park Board President Christa Emerson was excited about the donation from 1st Source. “We are extremely grateful for the support of 1st Source towards the skatepark project and so many other park and community missions for good,” said Emerson. “It’s because of public-private partnerships such as this that allow Valpo Parks to create extraordinary facilities and programs for our residents and guests.”
“We are honored to be a part of this project that means so much to this community,” said Vessely. “It’s going to be a fantastic place for everyone to enjoy for years to come, and the impact it will have on our community is amazing. 1st Source is excited to be a contributor and a leader, and we hope our gift inspires others to do the same.”
The Skatepark Task Force worked alongside Valparaiso High School graduate and world-class skatepark designer Dug Ketterman from Dugout Design Studios on the layout and park design. Areas such as an adaptive lane, beginner’s area, local art inclusion, and others quickly became important to everyone involved. In addition, Ketterman has built some of the most notable event skateparks and courses for television and film, including 21 X Games Skatepark Courses.
The 1st Source Foundation was established to enhance and strengthen the social, economic, and cultural fabric of the communities served by its banking centers.
1st Source Corporation, the parent company of 1st Source Bank, has assets of $8.0 billion and is the largest locally controlled financial institution headquartered in the northern Indiana-southwestern Michigan area. The Corporation includes 79 banking centers, 18 Specialty Finance Group locations nationwide, nine Wealth Advisory Services locations, and ten 1st Source Insurance offices. For more than 157 years, 1st Source has been committed to our mission of helping our clients achieve security, build wealth, and realize their dreams. For more information, visit www.1stsource.com.
