
Support West Side Youth
Donation protected
CHOICES is a program founded by Michael D.J. Lark Sr. and housed at the H.O.P.E. Community Center (formally Park Elementary School) in Michigan City’s West Side. CHOICES offers under-resourced youth a safe space to work, play, and grow.
Mr. Lark started CHOICES in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Increasingly worried at the amount of time his own children were spending at home, he began to take them out into the community to cut grass, shovel snow, and help out where needed.
The West Side faces the highest poverty rates in La Porte County and lacks essential, quality-of-life assets, including youth programs. All of the youth who participate in CHOICES come from the West Side and Mr. Lark grew up there himself. One of many children raised by a single mother, he struggled to find footing. It is his passion to provide the resources and support he wasn’t given to West Side youth.
CHOICES engages its members with service to the community, job opportunities, and a place to freely discuss issues they face as teens. Mr. Lark also brings in professionals to conduct art and entrepreneurship lessons. CHOICES further engages through recreational activities, such as boxing. Mr. Lark emphasizes boxing because of the discipline it requires, physically and mentally. A former boxer himself, Mr. Lark teaches CHOICES members that boxing allows them to release energy in a safe, supervised way.
The room that CHOICES occupies is an old classroom from the 1960’s and is in dire need of renovation. Additionally, much of the equipment CHOICES uses is Mr. Lark’s. CHOICES is asking for funds to update the classroom so that it’s attractive and safe and to purchase equipment needed to service the West Side. CHOICES hopes that the remodel will open the door to expanded programming.
Funds raised will specifically go towards:
- Three laptop computers
- 1 window air conditioner
- Locks for the door
- Paint
- Boxing equipment (gloves, face protection, punching bags)
- Riding lawn mower
- Snowblower
- 2 Smart TVs
- Ping-pong table
- XBox & PS4
CHOICES is an invaluable program to the West Side and its youth. Help CHOICES revamp their home base by contributing money today; any amount is appreciated.
If you are unable to donate at this time, sharing this with friends and family would be immensely appreciated. Thank you!
Organizer and beneficiary
Janet Bloch
Organizer
Michigan City, IN
Michael Lark
Beneficiary