Crowdfunding Campaign Launched for Adding Art to the Daren Baker Park

Funds from the campaign will be used to beautify and enhance Daren Baker Park.

(Milan, Ind.) - Milan residents will soon improve their community gathering space if this crowdfunding campaign reaches its goal of raising $10,000 by April 20, 2023. If successful, the project led by the Ripley County Youth Council will receive a matching grant as part of the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority’s (IHCDA) My Community, My Vision program.

“My Community, My Vision is an incredible opportunity for youth to engage directly with the development of their community," said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana's Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “Daren Baker Park stands to benefit from the innovation, resourcefulness and vision these students have displayed."

Funds from the campaign will be used to beautify and enhance Daren Baker Park by renovating the main shelter, installing a mural, sculptures, landscaping, water stations, waste bins and Wi-Fi.

“Ripley Youth Outreach (RYO) is an initiative composed of teens from area high schools with a goal to empower youth to create a powerful voice in their communities and become leaders of their generation,” said Amy Streator, executive director of the Ripley County Community Foundation. “RYO seized this unique opportunity to bring placemaking initiatives to Milan, which align with - and build upon - the county’s comprehensive plan. RYO is asking you to donate to this initiative and help keep Milan vibrant.”

My Community, My Vision (MCMV) is a youth-driven placemaking partnership between the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) and Patronicity. In collaboration with the Indiana Philanthropy Alliance (IPA) and Accelerate Indiana Municipalities (AIM) Youth Council Networks, cohorts of youth council students participate in a semester-long program focused on asset-based community development, stakeholder engagement, and placemaking.

Student youth council teams, alongside their foundation or local unit of government sponsor, will utilize CreatINg Places funds. The CreatINg Places program began in 2016, with projects raising more than $7.5 million in public funds and an additional $6.3 million in matching IHCDA funds. The program is available to projects located in Indiana communities. Non-profit entities (with 501c3 or 501c4 status) and Local Units of Government are eligible to apply. Eligible projects must have a minimum total development cost of $10,000, where the recipient will receive $5,000 in IHCDA matching funds should it successfully raise $5,000 through Patronicity. IHCDA will provide matching grant funds up to $50,000 per project.