Tolleston Opportunity Campus gives new meaning to ‘building’ opportunity

The future Tolleston Opportunity Campus is rising in Gary not just as a building project, but as a community-driven vision shaped by local partnerships, youth voices, and a shared commitment to opportunity. As construction continues at the John Will Anderson Gary Boys & Girls Club site, the $40 million development is already sparking excitement — and creating meaningful impact long before its doors officially open.

“The Tolleston Opportunity Campus is the result of a shared vision, a synergy of partners, neighbors, and leaders who believe that Gary’s youth are our most precious resource,” said Mike Jessen, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana. “This facility will serve as a beacon of support and safety that will stand as a testament to what is possible when we work together to power potential. The future isn’t just coming to Tolleston; it’s being built here.”

While the Tolleston Opportunity Campus is still months away from opening, it is already making a difference in the local community, particularly through the CONSTRUCT Club, a hands-on program designed to introduce youth to the construction trades while allowing them to witness the transformation of their own space.

“CONSTRUCT is more than an after-school program; it’s a direct investment in the professional futures of our youth and the strength of our local workforce,” Jessen said. “Partnering with industry leaders allows us to give our kids the confidence, skills, and connections needed to build successful careers right here in Northwest Indiana.”

The CONSTRUCT program, which stands for Creating Opportunities for New Students To Reveal Underrepresented Construction Talent, is a 20-session initiative for middle and high school members. To prepare participants for real-world experience, they are issued a hard hat, safety vest, and safety glasses before visiting the active construction site. Sessions begin with safety talks and site visits, followed by introductions to different trades, power and handheld tool use, design and engineering, and financial literacy. Program leaders also help participants develop a path toward a potential construction career.

“One of our participants is a sixth grader who recently aged out of a STEM program we offer,” said Brianna Griffin, club director at the Gary Club. “As soon as he found out about CONSTRUCT, he signed up right away and recently shared that he wants to be an electrical engineer. This program fosters belonging, leadership, fun, and academics.”

Construction progress continues steadily across the campus. Crews have completed major demolition work, erected structural steel and precast components, and begun building out interior spaces — including new areas for the Boys & Girls Club and YMCA programming.

“We are at the one-year mark,” said Saul Alvarez, project engineer with Powers & Sons Construction. “We’ve completed major demolition and structural work, and now we’re building interior walls and systems. The Boys & Girls Club portion is on track to reopen in June, and we’re aiming to have the larger project completed around August.”

For Alvarez and the construction team, involving young people directly in the process has been one of the most rewarding parts of the project. Through tours and hands-on lessons – from creating marshmallow shooters from PVC pipe to practice measurement and teamwork – students are gaining confidence and curiosity about future careers.

“I like being able to see the people who I’m building a building for, but I think it’s even better for the kids to be able to see the building that they’re going to be in,” Alvarez said. “Their imaginations start sparking when they see an empty room and start planning how they’ll use it.”

The collaborative campus brings together Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana, Crossroads YMCA, Methodist Hospitals, the City of Gary, and the Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation. When completed, it will serve as a hub for health, wellness, education, and recreation, offering amenities such as multi-purpose gymnasiums, community gathering spaces, a teen center, wellness resources, a teaching kitchen, and a swimming pool.

“Crossroads YMCA is pleased to be involved in Tolleston Opportunity Campus,” said Jay Buckmaster, president and CEO of Crossroads YMCA. “The campus reflects the power of collaboration in addressing long-standing community needs. This project is about creating access and meaningful experiences for kids, families, adults, and seniors.”

Health and wellness remain central to the campus vision, with Methodist Hospitals expanding services within the new facility to improve access to care and resources for Gary residents.

“Methodist Hospitals is a proud partner in the Tolleston Opportunity Campus,” said Matt Doyle, president and CEO of Methodist Hospitals and Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana board member. “The wellness-focused community center will be a beautiful, modern space where people connect, stay active, access resources, and feel supported.”

The campus also holds deep personal meaning for many in the community, including former Club Kid Marcus Steele, who has worked for eight years at the Gary location. During the project’s groundbreaking ceremony, Steele reflected on the impact the space has had on his life and the generations to come.

“This place didn’t just give me an opportunity; it gave me a platform,” Steele said. “The Tolleston Opportunity Campus isn’t just a new beginning — it’s a continuation of everything this building has meant to me, to this community, and to every child who walks through these doors.”

As the physical campus takes shape, project partners are also inviting Gary residents to help shape what happens inside. They are promoting a storytelling initiative aimed at collecting 500 personal stories from individuals who have lived or worked in the city. Organizers say each story will help guide programming, design decisions, and the overall community experience within the space.

Gary residents age 18 and older are encouraged to share a short personal memory or experience — most submissions take about 15 minutes — to help ensure the Tolleston Opportunity Campus reflects the values, priorities, and aspirations of the community it was built to serve. They want people to know their story matters, and community voices will help shape what happens inside this new space for generations to come.

To learn more about the Tolleston Opportunity Campus, visit gary.gov. To share your Gary story, visit seeq.sharemorestories.com/sign-on.