The College of Health is able to work in tandem with the Ross Community Center to provide programs and services to the Muncie community. The partnership allows the Ross Center to provide the community with more holistic services, an approach that Executive Director Jacquie Hanoman, has spent the duration of her time putting into practice.

“The mission was to build community and advance education, health and wellness,” said Hanoman. “To transform it so that it would actually foster, in collaboration with other organizations and with community members, into a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization.”

The small team at the Ross Center is dedicated to bettering and engaging the community, and the College of Health is a vital partner in the capabilities of the nine-person team. Together, the institutions provide resources like Baby and Me groups, wellness clinics, and futsal, a type of indoor soccer, for children.

The programs help the community connect with one another while giving individuals a pathway to professional resources through the College of Health. Programs like the weekly futsal games build bonds between the children that participate while giving them time to work with faculty and students of sports exercise psychology.

“Once a week, they come in and do futsal,” said Hanoman. “And then, they do mentoring and you know, a lot of social emotional work with the kids, and then they play.”

The impact that the Ross Center, and Hanoman, have on the children of the Muncie community was apparent throughout the interview, as Hanoman was joined by several children, eager to spend time with her.

Some children chimed in to express their fondness for the Ross Center or to make an appeal for Hanoman’s opinion and assistance on a variety of topics. Something that Hanoman takes great joy in fostering.

“I love the energy that we’ve created at the Ross Center. Naturally, my favorite part of my job is really working with the people,” said Hanoman. “Engaging with the kids and their families, spending time with them, really understanding what are their lives like and how can we, at the Ross Center, work hand in hand with them to enhance their lives.”

The partnership between the College of Health and the Ross Center will continue to be a vital aspect of the services and resources that the Ross Center provides for the Muncie community.