Jenilee Haynes-Peterson, the Director of Grants & Development Operations at the La Porte County Family YMCA, feels that she has received so much from her community that she decided to dedicate her life and career to returning the favor. Not only does Haynes-Peterson work to ensure that the La Porte YMCA receives funding for its programs, she also dedicates her time to other community-based organizations. These include the Michigan City Area School Board of Trustees, the Safe Harbor Advisory Board, and the Rotary Club of Michigan City.
Come February, Haynes-Peterson will have been working at the La Porte YMCA for a year. Her job primarily consists of doing research to find grants to fund the La Porte YMCA’s programs and pitching the new programs to the grant funders. She enjoys her role and hopes to make a difference in her hometown of Michigan City.
“I do this job and love it because I get to make an impact on the community and the youth,” Haynes-Peterson said. “That's the benefit in and of itself, seeing the development of these much-needed programs. I’ve learned a lot about the priorities of different people and organizations. It's been an awesome experience getting to see our programs in their developmental stages and then see them come to fruition.”
After graduating from Michigan City High School, Haynes-Peterson went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in public health from Purdue University in Lafayette in 2007. Upon moving to Chicago, she worked in several managerial capacities for the restaurant group Ideology Entertainment. When moving back to Northwest Indiana to be closer to her family, Haynes-Peterson began working as the director of finance for the Duneland Chamber of Commerce. In 2018, she earned her master’s degree in business administration from Western Governors University. After she graduated, Haynes-Peterson worked as the economic development manager at Economic Development Corporation Michigan City. She then went on to serve as the development director at the Salvation Army in Michigan City before stepping into her current position of director of grants & development operations at the La Porte YMCA.
Haynes-Peterson’s history with the YMCA did not start this year, however. She looks back fondly on the many activities she has participated in at the Michigan City YMCA throughout her childhood.
“I learned to swim and tumble at the Michigan City YMCA. I remember attending Girl Scout meetings and doing lock-ins there. To me, the YMCA represents family, community, safety, being active, and learning how to engage in a variety of physical activities. The YMCA meant so much to me as a kid—it was a great experience for me,” Haynes-Peterson said.
Having attended the YMCA since she was a baby, Haynes-Peterson has had a deep understanding of the organization’s value for a long time. However, her position at the La Porte YMCA has given her an all-new perspective into the specific ways that the YMCA’s programs have positively impacted the community.
“I think our summer camps are amazing,” Haynes-Peterson said. “Not only do they provide parents with a safe space they can send their kids to but they also give kids an opportunity to build relationships with others. The kids get outdoor activity time every day. They go on field trips. They have swim time. Those things are so important, and I don't know of another camp that offers that much outdoor and active time in the summer.”
As she approaches her one-year anniversary at the La Porte YMCA, Haynes-Peterson looks forward to the new programs that her branch will be offering in the coming year.
“The after-school providers in Michigan City are all at full capacity, so we at the La Porte YMCA are working with them to establish our own after-school program,” Haynes-Peterson said. “We’re asking, ‘How do we continue to help the community and provide space for kids after school?’ It's really exciting.”
When Haynes-Peterson is not working with the YMCA to provide a safe space for young people outside of the classroom, she serves as the secretary of the Michigan City Area Schools Board of Trustees to ensure that they are thriving within the classroom.
“I'm grateful that the community has put their trust in me as their school board elected official. I hope to do right by them and am always open to hearing from the community on what they want to see out of our school system,” Haynes-Peterson said.
The valuable life lessons that Haynes-Peterson learned during her time with the Michigan City school system have stayed with her throughout the years. She has dedicated herself to making sure that future generations can receive a similarly enriching experience during their time in school. However, Haynes-Peterson stresses that she and her fellow board members cannot do this alone.
“I know how difficult it is for a lot of families, but having involved caregivers is super beneficial for students,” Haynes-Peterson said. “Speaking as a school board member, I would like to encourage more participation from the caregivers. I would love to see more people from the community come to the meetings, get engaged, and tell us their concerns so we can follow up on them. One of my goals for the coming years is to cultivate more caregiver participation.”
When she wants to unwind, Haynes-Peterson loves to pick up a good book. She and her daughter enjoy working on coloring books or crocheting together. Haynes-Peterson says that she frequently attends community events by the lake alongside her husband and daughter, enjoying the many amenities that Michigan City has to offer.