The Pay It Forward Project


"Engaging families in quality time together while Paying It Forward to the community with acts of kindness"

We invite all families in Michiana to join us for this unique and life changing project! In this day and age with the daily hustle and bustle of our busy lives, we often do not get the opportunity to spend good quality time with our kids. And rarely do we have the time to give back to our community while doing it. The Pay It Forward Project offers just that!

The Pay It Forward Project is a group of community members that meet twice monthly. Adults and kids alike make new friends, learn new skills and have fun while giving back to the community.

What we do varies widely. We help numerous local nonprofit organizations and just about every "cause" imaginable. In the past a few things we have done include: learning to crochet and make scarves for the homeless, food/coat/blanket/personal care item drives, refurbished an outdoor classroom, made doggie bisquits for a animal rescue group, made neck coolers for firemen. We just do things to help our community while spending quality time with our kids and grandkids. At the same time, we're teaching our kids a life long lesson by example. That being to give back, help others, and Pay It Forward.

The Pay It Forward Project is different then any "normal" club or group that you may join. It is composed of family community service and Service-Learning. Service-Learning is a teaching method where you learn by performing community service. Most of the things we do are based on this teaching method. We follow a Service - Learning curriculum that meets the Indiana Academic Standards.

The Pay It Forward Project is also based on 4H. Many of the new skills we learn can be used on 4H projects. We also work specifically on projects that can be submitted to fair. Any student from 3rd - 12th grade has the option of also registering with 4H through our Pay It Forward Project. 4H has many advantages including competing for ribbons and scholarships.

Do parents HAVE to stay with their child? It is not mandatory that a parent stays. However, The Pay It Forward Project is a great bonding time so we do encourage parents to stay.