Neighbors' Educational Opportunities Adult Education (NEO) is finally at the end of their move and can focus on what they do best: molding Northwest Indiana residents into educated, productive members of society. The town of Portage was there to celebrate with them when they cut their red ribbon on September 1, 2016.
Executive Director Rebecca Rainer spent most of the open house thanking the different organizations that helped NEO through its transition, but each of them wanted to give credit back to Rainer’s own dedication. She worked late nights and early mornings to get the school open on time.
“We've come a long way in five years,” she said. "In the past nine years that I've been privileged to be with this program, I've met hundreds of students who have inspired me. Their stories, their perseverance, their grit, their futures, and their promise have just been inspiring.”
NEO had just four months to break ground and remodel their new building before the fall school semester. Some did not think they could do it but NEO was determined. Chester Construction Inc was hired to give it their best effort.
“It was kind of interesting coming in and seeing some of the old facility that it was,” said Chester Inc owner Pete Peuquet. “The way the lanes were built, there were a lot of what they call "journey-troughs" in the building where the lanes were. It was a unique project. I've been in the bowling business since 1979 so I knew a lot of the intricacies of the building itself. We knew what needed to be done.”
The building was well known as Camelot Bowling Alley, owned by Barb Fedel and her husband.
She said, “It's just so nice to see something that was so important in Portage to now become something new. We were so afraid that the building would have to be torn down. The transformation that Camelot lives on here is just great. Education opens doors for everyone.”
Camelot has been a symbol in Portage for years, and so has NEO. It was a relief to the community that the organization was able to stay in town after it came under new funding.
“We owe a debt of gratitude in Portage,” said Mayor James Snyder. “For the Neighbor's Educational Opportunities board and their staff, as they have shown their commitment to the mission of the program by finding and financing new homes for these programs. This organization is an institution in the city of Portage. As 75,000 adults in Northwest Indiana do not have a high school diploma or an equivalency diploma, programs like NEO Adult Education and New Vistas High School play a crucial role in addressing this need, which then is critical to the economical development of our entire region.”
Nancy Simpson, President Of the Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce, was relieved NEO could stay in town.
“It's been in our city for many, many years… I'm so glad that they stayed in Portage. [NEO] does serve Lake and Porter county but being on the border of [both] counties is, I think, a central location. We're glad they're here in the city.”
Indiana State Senator Ed Charbonneau thought it was a fantastic project.
It's such a great thing, we need to make sure that every Hoosier student has the opportunity to get a quality education," Charbonneau explained. "Making sure those individuals get the same opportunity as everybody else. And ultimately we're all going to benefit because they will have the opportunity to become contributing members of society.”
One such contributing member of society was chosen to cut the ribbon held across NEO’s doors. His name was George and he was a NEO alumni.
“This is what got me to the next step in life, and for that I'm grateful," he said. "Any time I needed help they were there for me. I wouldn't be who I am today if it weren't for [NEO]."
