Patron in the City: Sarah Black

We believe that passionate individuals can spur change in their communities. We refer to those individuals as Patrons in the City, dedicating their time, sweat, and energy to building vibrant communities.

The mission to redevelop Harter Park in Union City, Indiana began in 2023 with a collection of students from Randolph Eastern School Corporation’s Union City Jr/Sr High School. They decided the old, outdated playground at Harter Park could do with some upgrades: it lacked any ADA-accessibility and was located in an area without much sunlight, which led to harmful bacteria and mold growth on the structures. Facilitated by school staff member Sarah Black, the students set to work to build an inclusive, sunny, and safe playground. They formed teams for marketing, grant writing, presenting, and fundraising. Their design process included touring other playgrounds around the US for inspiration on accessible equipment and incorporating the next generation by seeking input from the local elementary school students for what they’d like to see at the new park. The students applied for numerous grants, presented to school boards, city council meetings, and grant competitions, and raised funds at the grassroots level, securing more than $100,000 overall from community organizations, businesses, and local donors.

Part of the fundraising efforts for Playground Paradise included a Patronicity campaign in 2025, sponsored by IHCDA’s CreatINg Places and My Community, My Vision (MCMV) programs. MCMV is a youth-driven placemaking initiative that connects young people to their communities and provides additional training in community planning, stakeholder engagement, and fundraising strategies over a semester. Through their Patronicity campaign, the Union City students raised $35,235 from 189 patrons, unlocking a bonus $35,000 grant from IHCDA.

In 2026, the students were finally able to celebrate the fruits of their hard work with the installation of the ADA-accessible playground. The past and present students of Union City Jr/Sr High School that collaborated on this project gained immeasurable skills in teamwork, grant writing, public speaking, and leadership, and have made a significant, lasting difference in their community.

“This playground isn’t just about swings and slides. It’s about creating a place where kids can be kids, where imaginations grow, confidence builds, and friendships begin … Everyone belongs here.” –Ava, Union City Jr/Sr High School student

Sarah is the Career Coach, Future Readiness, and Work Based Learning Coordinator at Union City Jr/Sr High School. She grew up in Union City and feels lucky to be able to now serve the same community that served her as a youth. We spoke to Sarah to learn more about her student-led initiative, and what it means for Union City’s future.

Patronicity: Why do you love where you live and work? Tell us about your community!

Sarah: Union City is a small town packed with charm and connection. There is a deep 'hometown feel' here — you can’t walk into a local store or restaurant without running into friends and neighbors. What I love most about living and working here is the accessibility of community action: if you have a vision and a desire to help, you can genuinely make a difference. Working alongside our local students has proven that when Union City comes together, big things happen for our community.

Patronicity: What was your project, and why was it necessary?

Sarah: Our project was a student-led initiative to build an ADA-accessible and inclusive playground at Harter Park. Our community’s previous playground equipment was over 70 years old, with many pieces broken, outdated, or unsafe — and none of it was accessible for children with disabilities. This project was vital because every child, regardless of ability, deserves a safe and joyful place to play. Beyond revitalizing the park, it empowered local students to step up as leaders to raise funds, write grants, and create an inclusive space that our entire town can take pride in.

Patronicity: What inspired you to get involved or build this project? How did you get the students involved?

Sarah: As a parent to a young daughter, I wanted her — and every family in Union City — to have a safe, inclusive playground close to home, rather than having to travel out of town just to find accessible play equipment. I wanted to help create a gathering place where every generation and child of every ability could connect.

I think the students were drawn to the project because they were eager to be part of something bigger than themselves. They recognized the chance to make a real, lasting impact on their hometown. Over the years, while some students have graduated and others joined, a core group has stayed with it from day one. Watching them guide this project from a simple concept on paper all the way to a finished playground has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career.

Patronicity: What have been the results of your crowdfunding campaign? How has the project changed your community?

Sarah: The crowdfunding effort was the heartbeat of this entire project. Beyond raising the essential dollars and unlocking grant matches, it rallied the entire town around a shared goal.

The change in Union City has been tangible. You can visit the park on almost any given day and see families spending hours together outdoors, enjoying an inclusive environment built specifically for them. It has created a real sense of local pride and provided a welcoming space where our community can gather, play, and build lasting memories.

Patronicity: How has the community responded to your project?

Sarah: Seeing the community's reaction has been one of the most rewarding parts of this entire journey. On our Playground Paradise Facebook page, community members have shared comments about how much the new space means to their families. It has truly resonated with residents, providing our small town with a beautiful, inclusive haven where families can gather and make core memories every single day.

Patronicity: What do you hope community members take away from this project?

Sarah: I hope our community takes away a powerful lesson in youth-led action: a small group of high school students proved that anyone can make a lasting impact. Thanks to their perseverance, we transformed an idea into a state-of-the-art, ADA-accessible park. If you see a need in your community, don't wait for someone else to fix it. Get involved, take action, and be the change maker!

Patronicity: How did the IHCDA matching dollars improve your overall project and provide greater impact?

Sarah: The IHCDA matching grant was a total game-changer for Playground Paradise. Without the matching dollars and the momentum of the crowdfunding campaign, we would have struggled to secure private donations and fallen short of the capital needed to complete the full ADA-accessible design in Phase 1. The matching incentive gave our community the confidence to invest, doubling the impact of every local dollar and allowing us to build a complete, high-quality, inclusive play space without compromising on accessibility.

Patronicity: What could other communities learn from your project?

Sarah: If there’s one takeaway for other towns, it's to get your youth involved early and deeply. If we want the next generation to stick around, we must give them a seat at the table to shape the community they want to live in. The students behind Playground Paradise now have a deep sense of pride and ownership in Union City, they are already talking about bringing their own future children here to play. They will always be able to say they were part of something bigger than themselves, and that kind of rooted pride is what keeps a small town thriving.

Patronicity: If someone wanted to become more involved in their community, what advice would you give them?

Sarah: Start by talking with your mayor, city council, and local school leaders to ask what needs and opportunities they see across town. But you don't even have to wait for an invitation: simply stay present in your daily life, spot something that could use improvement, and start taking action. While I was fortunate to lead a group of students, schools are constantly looking for community partners to help young people grow. When you connect passionate citizens with city and school leaders, truly magical things can happen for a town.

DON’T WAIT FOR THE MAGIC.

Make it happen. Contact your local schools and youth groups to see how you can get the next generation involved and invested in their hometown.

My Community, My Vision (MCMV) is a youth-driven placemaking partnership between the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) and Patronicity with a vision for connecting young people in Indiana to the places they live and allowing them the opportunity to make a positive impact in their communities. Learn more about how Indiana youth are shaping their spaces at patronicity.com/mcmv.