The History of LGI
The Learning Generation Initiative began in 2002 as the result of a CAPE II Initiative funded by The Lilly Endowment. The grant proposal, which was submitted as a cooperative project of the Elkhart County Community Foundation and the LaGrange County Community Foundation, provided support for increasing the educational attainment of residents of Elkhart and LaGrange counties. Programs were developed to train early childhood educators, at-risk teens and adults who needed new or expanded skills to increase employability.
In 2005 LGI received a second grant from The Lilly Endowment as a part of the CAPE III Initiative. At that time the range of LGI's programming narrowed to focus on adult education in LaGrange and Elkhart counties. LGI developed programs that addressed the learning needs of the diverse population of the two counties. Hundreds of adults who faced the challenge of finding employment that would meet their needs have been served by LGI.
The diverse communities of Elkhart and LaGrange counties have been served with classes in small business development, computer literacy, English language and GED preparation in English and Spanish. LGI has developed strong programming for Spanish-speaking people in basic literacy and GED preparation. LGI has organized CNA classes and programs to give adult learners skills in trades that will result in long-term employability. LGI has provided on-demand educational opportunities to folks where and when they were needed, from the cities of northern Indiana to its small rural communities.
In late 2008 when the economic crisis developed in Elkhart and LaGrange counties, LGI launched an innovative GED preparation program using a web-based instructional tool that allows students to study where and when they want to. Since January of 2009, over 300 LGI GED students have received their GED Diploma through this program.
Currently LGI is working with other adult education providers in this region to provide holistic educational programming that will create a workforce that is prepared for the 21st century. Innovation and learning that works are keys to the success of LGI's adult education programming.