Michigan City Mayor Ron Meer and Councilman Chris Schwanke visited the Michiana Humane Society in Michigan City at 4 p.m. Monday to tour the facilities and receive copies of four posters designed by kids during a Safe Harbor after-school enrichment program.
Twelve students in Grades 1-5 at Lake Hills Elementary School participated in a three-week education project focused on the humane treatment of animals. The project was a joint effort between the Michiana Humane Society, the Lubeznik Center for the Arts and Michigan City Area Schools Safe Harbor program.
Students designed posters to illustrate four different messages they came up with: No Dogfighting – It’s Cruel, Not Cool; Spaying and Neutering Rocks; Respect Don’t Neglect and I’m Cute – Don’t Abandon Me. A total of 150 sets of the four posters are being distributed to schools, veterinarian practices, pet supply stores and other businesses throughout the area.
Lorry Cates, Michiana Humane Society education specialist, and Janet Bloch, director of education for the Lubeznik Center, worked with the students on this service learning project to teach them how to use art to educate and advocate on behalf of animals.
Meer congratulated the student artists on their achievement and told them, “The key lesson for kids and adults is respect. That helps you in all aspects of life.”
Meer said the posters will be displayed in City Hall and a special presentation about the project will be made at the next Michigan City Common Council meeting.
Cathi Rogers, director of marketing for the Michiana Humane Society, said the project was an opportunity for the children to learn about caring for animals and caring about what is happening in their community.
According to Safe Harbor coordinator Herb Higgin, the service learning project was funded by a special grant from the Indiana Department of Education and was designed to enhance students’ skills in reading, writing and public speaking as well as their artistic abilities.
A limited number of gift cards have been printed and are being sold for $4 per package of four cards at the Lubeznik Center and the Michiana Humane Society Shelter. Proceeds will be used to fund future educational enrichment projects.