Bolstered by last year’s success, the Northwest Indiana Summer Reading Labs state-funded program aimed at preventing learning loss has expanded from 22 to 30 sites and expects to enroll 900 to 1,000 students.
Deborah H. Black, of the education nonprofit DHB and Associates and the Urban League of Northwest Indiana, saw their program funding increase from $1.2 million to $1.5 million, Black said Monday.
The enrollment deadline is June 16. Information is available at northwestindianalearninglabs.com.
The five-week, free academic and enrichment summer program for children in grades 1-9 runs from June 23 to July 25 with sites primarily in Gary, but also Hammond and East Chicago.
The Mind Trust, an Indianapolis-based education nonprofit developed the program and launched it in collaboration with the Indiana Department of Education last year.
Children in Northwest’s program saw double-digit gains in English/language arts and math in post-tests, Black said.
The program is interviewing and still hiring teachers for the 4-1/2-week classes, Monday-Thursday. Training is available at Indiana University Northwest and online.
Black agrees with the Summer Labs’ core philosophy that stresses achievement over remediation.
“I think we have to stop defining our students’ learning needs as remediation,” she said. “Just see what they need and go.”
She said the paradigm of micro classes of five students to one teacher encourages social and emotional support along with academic needs.
Black said students enjoyed last year’s program which included field trips and college visits. “Students didn’t want to leave,” she said.
Because her business is a small nonprofit, Black praised the Urban League for stepping up as a co-sponsor.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
2025 NWI Summer Learning Labs
Academically Yours — 5696 Broadway, Gary, 219-282-8105, Grades 1-4
Spark Steam Ahead — 8438 Indiana St., Merrillville, 219-384-4630, Grades 1-6
Apostle Church of God’s Love — 5549 Sohl Ave., Hammond, 219-256-0127, Grades 3, 5, 7, 8
ASW Foundation — 650 S. Lake St., Gary, 219-238-9996, Grades 1-5
Christ Center Church — 719 Clark Road, Gary, 219-805-1108, Grades 1-9
Circle of Love Family — 1802 Columbus Dr., East Chicago, 219- 794-5290, Grades 1-6
City of Gary — 455 Massachusetts St., Gary, 219-886-7099, ext. 36900, Grades 1-3
Flourish Church — 3935 Cleveland St., Gary, 773-217-3368, Grades 1-4
Glen Park Academy — 5002 Madison St., Gary, ctreadwell@garycsc.k12.in.us, Grades 1-6 (GPA students only)
H.O.M.E. Mentoring and Tutoring — 3637 Grant St., 219-613-4837, Grades 1-5
House of God Church — 3545 W. 20th Place, Gary, 219-381-5635, Grades 1, 5-8
Institute for Leadership and Performance Improvement — 3401 W. 5th Ave., Gary, 219-730-6903, Grades 2-5
Israel Metropolitan CME Church — 2301 Washington St., Gary, 219-883-3859, Grades 2-7
Indiana University Northwest — 3400 Broadway, Gary, 219-985-5553, Grades 1-9
Lake Ridge Schools — 3601 W. 41st Ave., Gary, 219-718-2885, Grades 5-8 (LR students only)
New Hope Church — 2307 Rhode Island, Gary, 219-318-7184, Grades 1-9
New Mount Olive — 427 W. 23rd Ave., Gary, 219-427-8058, Grades 5-8
New Seasons Church of Gary — 2281-2289 Taney St. Gary, 219-225-6448, Grades 1-5
New Shiloh Baptist Church — 1727 W. 15th Ave., Gary, 219-944-7670, Grades 4-7
Oak Knoll Renaissance Apartments — 4200 W. 23rd Court, Gary, 219-262-8105, Grades 1-9
Peace of Mind Academy — 3948 Georgia St., Gary, 219-455-9096, Grades 3, 4, 8
Peter’s Rock COGIC — 2765 Van Buren St. – Gary, 847-561-4290, Grades 1-4
Project Rebuild — 411 Montgomery St., Gary, 219-808-0106, Grades 1-6
Rising Stars Academy — 5201 Broadway, Gary, 219-201-0770, Grades 2-4
St. John — 2457 Massachusetts St., Gary, 219-886-7769, Grades 3, 4
St. Timothy — 1600 W. 25th Ave., Gary, 219-718-1112, Grades 1-9
Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church — 3634 W. 11th Ave., Gary, 219-810-3900, Grades 4, 5, 6, 8, 9
The Mustard Seed Center — 1947 W. 15th Ave., Gary, 219-716-3071, Grades 1-3
YWCA of Gary — 150 W. 15th Ave., Gary, 219-881-9922, Grades 1-5