Leadership Kokomo team helps Jackson Street Commons
This article is brought to you by Elect Lisa Washington for Howard County Commissioner District 1. It’s primary Election Day! Polls are open until 6 pm, and I’ll be making my rounds to meet and express my gratitude for all those coming out to exercise their civic duty to vote!
If you haven’t made your plan for voting yet, it’s not too late. Get out to any of the locations listed in the comments and as long as you’re in line before 6 pm, your vote will be counted. Pull a democratic ballot to cast your vote for Lisa Washington for Howard County Commissioner, for a #BetterHowardCounty
Jackson Street Commons was running out of space. The facility, which houses displaced military veterans, was in need a new utility shed as it had outgrown its existing storage barn. Fortunately, Leadership Kokomo (LK) answered the call.
Last week, members of the LK 44 cohort unveiled the result of their work: a brand-new 10’x12’ storage shed. And as LK 44 member Bob Webb – Commander of AMVETS Post 27 – explained, the structure was built to last.
“Instead of building a prefab or one of those little, cheap metal ones, this is a solid build,” said Webb. “You can jump up and down there, and it’s not gonna move.”
The LK 44 team, comprised of Webb, Heather Begley of the Kokomo Housing Authority, Karen Sandoval of Dream Built Remodeling, and Emily Hoover of the Kokomo Howard County Public Library, successfully completed and dedicated the new shed for Jackson Street Commons.
The project originated when Begley identified a pressing need for secure, dry storage space at Jackson Street Commons; information relayed by Tammy Price, Ivy Tech Community College’s liaison to the LK program. The facility required additional storage for donations, non-perishable food items, bedding, salt, and other essential supplies, but had limited backyard space. After assessing the needs, the team determined that the shed would fill the need.
“We had to come up with where to get the money from,” said Webb, who also was taking a nonprofit leadership class at the Community Foundation Serving Howard County. “I talked to Carrie Giannakas and asked her if I could write a grant.”
Moving quickly, Webb wrote a grant for $5,000, hoping to get approved and finishing the shed before the LK graduation on May 12. The Community Foundation approved the grant in a week.
Sandoval and her company, Dream Built Remodeling, volunteered to pick up the materials from local suppliers, construct the shed, and even cover any cost overruns. The shed was built to high standards, using solid wood and quality craftsmanship, ensuring durability and longevity.
“As a real estate investor in the area, we have been building in Kokomo for three years,” said Sandoval. “We love this community. This is our new home. When they mentioned that they wanted a shed to be built, I was all for it.”
Hoover played a key role by organizing and leading donation drives at all three KHCPL library branches, further supporting Jackson Street Commons.
During the dedication ceremony, representatives from Jackson Street Commons expressed gratitude for the new storage solution, emphasizing how it would greatly benefit their maintenance operations and overall ability to serve residents. Following the ceremony, those in attendance were invited to stay for lunch and learn more about Jackson Street Commons.