Our Pillars

Faith CDC has identified four essential community concerns, or ‘pillars’ of the Gary community: food security, safe housing, positive land usage, and economic enrichment. We’ve built programs under each to help our community reach these goals.

Explore below to learn how our programs address these pillars.

FOOD JUSTICE

HOUSING

Environmental
Stewardship

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

FOOD JUSTICE

OUR GOALS

The Farm to Table movement in Gary is driven by the mission to make fresh, local, and nutritious food available to all residents in and around Gary. The associated programs will make Gary the center of the food supply for the region. Farm to Table will support local businesses, offer opportunities for individuals, and uplift the community.

Farm to table refers to foods coming directly from local farms to your table, offering many benefits. One advantage is that many ingredients are grown or raised locally, meaning the food isn’t being shipped long distances. This has environmental benefits and the food you’re eating was likely harvested recently therefore is very fresh. This also results in more nutritious food. Another benefit of Farm to Table is that it involves natural foods that have been minimally processed. This keeps costs down and means less added fat and sugar. Farm to table can be a great way to support local farmers, therefore supporting your local community.

The Farm to Table programs below will bring fresh food to Gary residents and those in surrounding counties. Currently, fresh food is largely unavailable throughout Gary. Also, the cost of food continues to rise. The Farm to Table movement will make fresh foods available and affordable by changing how food is grown, prepared, and distributed. Additionally, Farm to Table initiatives will involve educational opportunities to inform about the benefits of fresh local foods and instruct on how to prepare these foods.

Upcoming Programs

New Programs

FOOD HUB

FROZEN PRODUCE PROGRAM

PRODUCE PRESCRIPTION PROGRAM

NEXT URBAN AG GENERATION (NUAG)

To learn more or volunteer for any of these programs, please fill out the form below and select ‘Farm-to-Table’.

Want to learn more about Produce?

The Fresh-to-Frozen Produce Program includes educational resources related to the many produce items grown and harvested at FAITH Farms. These resources below share the benefits of eating each vegetable or fruit and how to incorporate them into your diet.

Click a poster to view it larger, or click the link below to read more.

View More Recipes and Information

SOCIAL JUSTICE

OUR GOALS

Housing is a basic human right. FAITH CDC is aligned with the City of Gary’s Consolidated Plan and mirrors the same housing goals:
• Provide direct assistance to expand homeownership
• Support homeownership opportunities, education and financial literacy
• Promote diversity of housing stock through new construction for homeowners and renters, including for those with special needs.

Housing is a basic human right. Home ownership supports generational wealth building. In a city with pristine national parks, sand dune vistas, and miles of Great Lake shoreline, Gary should be home to the highest real estate values in the State. Burdened by decades of poverty and continued systemic racism in the home lending market, Gary continues to focus on demolition and rehabilitation rather than real estate growth and expansive homeownership.

Senior Tiny Homes
Unhoused Tiny Homes
In-Field Housing

Upcoming Programs

To participate in an upcoming housing build, please provide your contact information.

New Programs

HOPE TINY HOMES

INFILL HOUSING

SENIOR TINY HOMES

To learn more or volunteer for any of these programs, please fill out the form below and select ‘Farm-to-Table’.

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

OUR GOALS

Environmental Justice is a sustainable development goal of each of our projects. This pillar is the foundation of the work that FAITH CDC does. Environmental Justice returns today’s brown fields and dilapidated lots into valuable growing spaces, housing, and community places.

FAITH CDC is aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals focused on
• Clean Water & Sanitation
• Affordable and Clean Energy
• Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure
• Sustainable Cities & Communities
• Responsible Consumption & Production
• Climate Action
• Partnership for the Goals

Environmental Stewardship requires us to plan with sustainability and longevity at the forefront. Housing development can create waste, inequity in access, and widen the disparities if strategies towards long-term ownership, resource conservation, and wealth creation aren’t defined upfront.
Environmental Stewardship requires FAITH CDC to think thoughtfully on project impact and be held accountable to the community.

Urban Environmental Learning Center
Healthy Soil
Clean Water & Air

Upcoming Programs

Upcoming programs and events will be posted here. Stay informed by signing up to receive future Farm-to-Table communications.

New Programs

CLEAN WATER & AIR

HEALTHY SOIL

URBAN ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER

RENEWABLE ENERGY

To learn more or volunteer for any of these programs, please fill out the form below and select ‘Environmental Justice’.

ECONOMIC JUSTICE

OUR GOALS

Economic Development – new markets, new revenues, new business is the driving change agent to reducing poverty and increasing generational wealth. Led by Pastor Whittaker, a career certified professional accountant, FAITH CDC aims to create an economic development plan focused on business owner development starting with workforce training in key markets – food systems, housing development, and energy.

FAITH CDC is aligned with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation’s framework of first identifying markets, developing industries, and creating space for new owners through subsidized training programs, tax credit incentives, and direct funding to businesses.

The current plight of Gary is due to multiple economic downturns eroding the tax base and cutting off vital services.  Schools closed, roads are in disrepair, fire, police and other public safety resources are overwhelming understaffed – no tax revenues to support city infrastructure.

Economic Development – attracting and growing businesses creates better cities.

Business Owner Success School
Workforce Training
New Market Tax Credit
Community Development Financial Institution

Upcoming Programs

Upcoming programs and events will be posted here. Stay informed by signing up to receive future Farm-to-Table communications.

New Programs

BUSINESS OWNER SUCCESS SCHOOL

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTION

NEW MARKET TAX CREDIT

WORKFORCE TRAINING

To learn more or volunteer for any of these programs, please fill out the form below and select ‘Economic Development’.