I've lived in the Indian Valley for 28 years: raising my children, working, going to church, school, eating out and shopping. Day-after-day I drove by businesses, municipal buildings and agencies, never giving a thought to those that didn't directly affect my family. But thanks to my employer, the Christian Counseling Center, the Chamber of Commerce and Ella Roush's direction of the CLI class, during the last ten months, my world has expanded exponentially.

I've learned how a community is built from the bottom up beginning with education and government services for people of every age. I've met with business leaders, historians and township supervisors and a state senator. I've also been more exposed to local arts and culture, and media outlets.

Through all this, I've gained a great deal of respect for those serving in the Indian Valley community and feel privileged to live here. The class has prepared me to give back to others some of the things I've benefited from and taken for granted for a long time.