Our Mission
The mission of the JAM Center is to celebrate and strengthen our vibrant community by connecting people and organizations through activities that improve the quality of life for the greater Garrett area. Within this mission we focus on strengthening families, promoting wellness, and developing partnerships. The JAM Center is more than being about families...we are family! We are committed to making a difference in the lives we touch. We do this inclusively...uniquely delivering hope, direction, empowerment, and support bundled in a healthy mix of wellness, education, and fun!
Sue Blotkamp and a dedicated group of local leaders become the spark behind the fire at JAM Center, recognizing that area children and teens need a place to talk, socialize, and spend their energy.
A Board of Directors is established and the Garrett Community Center is created.
The hard-working staff at the Garrett Community Center begin offering the Moms and Babes Program for single mothers, as well as the TEAM (Together Everyone Achieves More) Program for children. The group works from a small building in downtown Garrett.
A grant is provided by The Dekko Foundation for a market analysis - constructing a new building would be possible, but the Garrett Community Center will need a partner to get off the ground.
Bernard Brennan donates $500,000 to start the momentum for the center. The Cole Foundation and the Garrett Eagles each give $200,000, and a matching grant of $620,000 is made by The Dekko Foundation. Judith Clark Morrill and the Eaton Corporation each donate $100,000, with additional funds being raised by the community to reach the phase one goal for construction of the new building.
October 16th - On an unseasonably cold Fall afternoon, groundbreaking for the new building is held.
A parade from the small downtown office to the newly constructed building is held on October 29th, kicking off the Grand Opening of the Garrett Community Center, titled the "Garrett Family YMCA". The new building houses a preschool and daycare area, a weight room, and other fitness activities. The YMCA begins operations, offering a variety of programming and classes for local youth.
In the Spring of 2007, Judith Clark Morrill donates $1,000,000 to build the center's pool. After completion, the YMCA begins offering swim classes, aquatic fitness activities, and open swimming sessions.
Leaders at both the YMCA and the Garrett Community Center reach a mutual agreement, the lease of the building is ended, and operations are fully turned over to the Garrett Community Center.
After her generous donations of over $1.3 million dollars, the Garrett Community Center proudly begin operations as the Judy A Morrill Recreation Center. A Grand Reopening is held to celebrate the new name and status, with Sue Blotkamp and Amy Truesdell serving as interim directors.
Childcare and preschool begin again, providing a great service for a community in need. Children have a dedicated section within the building, as well as supervised and scheduled access to the gym and a large outdoor playground.
The Board of Directors find Cheryl Nicole, an incredible woman with a spanning career in non-profit organizations, to become the new Executive Director of JAM Center.
A variety of different new programming begins at JAM. The Powerful Women series begins, including sessions such as Keeping Yourself Safe, Basic Home Repair, Basic Car Maintenance, and Tool Time. Summer enrichment camp for kids begin with Critter Encounters, Art-A-Palooza, Magnifi-Sentence language studies from across the world, Going Green (a conservation and recycling program), and Lights, Camera, Action, a drama and stage production program. Other programs added include a Health Fair, a new swim club for K-12, and before and after school care programs.
After years of support and investment, Ron and Connie Dicke create a special grant, allowing a dollar-for-dollar match for any new donor to our general operating fund. Through a grant from the DeKalb Health Foundation, funding is provided to purchase four top-of-the-line treadmills for JAM Center's fitness room.
Club JAM opens, offering an afterschool hangout for all Garrett Middle School and Garrett High School students. Activities include snacks, TVs, games, and a specially designed youth room from 3-6 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Planned events include craft nights, open gym times, swims, and holiday parties.
JAM Center becomes an official Healthways SilverSneakers facility, partnering with insurance companies to offer fitness and exercise programs for older adults.
JAM continues to host incredible programming for the community, including Chicago bus trips, free days for the community to use the facilities, continued summer camp offerings, Kids Korner, paddling trips, the continuing Club JAM for students and the yearly return of Garrett's "Get Fit" program, women's safety courses, wellness sessions, and various other programs. JAM Center gratefully receives grants from the United Way, The Community Foundation of DeKalb County, and other foundations and generous donors.
The Garrett-Keyser-Butler school district and the Judy A. Morrill Recreation Center receive a $150,000 grant from the Indiana Department of Education. The grant is used to add additional program hours, field trips, and STEM activities, boost staff training, and improve all aspects of programming.
Sue Blotkamp, the woman who made the JAM Center become a reality, is named Citizen of the Year by the Garrett Chamber of Commerce.
JAM Center's childcare program officially becomes JAM Early Education.
JAM Early Education earns the Level 3 Paths to Quality title.
JAM's after school program has major updates - I14 is created, with a larger classroom space that enables JAM to serve more students. I14 offers homework help, fitness activities, and a variety of engaging social experiences.
The Infinity Campaign is launched, allowing JAM to create a fund that will provide for asset replacement and maintenance needs. The Infinity Fund will also keep operations running at the highest level of performance possible. With donations and fundraising by the community, The Dekko Foundation pledges a $500,000 match donation to the campaign.
Through a partnership with G-K-B Schools, JAM Center begins offering the Garrett Collaborative Preschool program, which is available to 3 and 4 year old students. The Collaborative provides a safe, nurturing environment for young students, a choice-filled roster of daily activities, and fosters a respectful and kind culture where kids can grow. The program follows the Reggio Emilia philosophy to plan curriculum.
JAM Center stands as a community built, designed, and funded effort that continues to provide incredible programming for citizens in every walk of life - children, youth, adults, and seniors. Thanks to the extensive efforts of our community as well as our generous donors, we are able to continue our operations and positively impact the community for years to come.