Young leaders need $50,000 in donations by April 19 to secure matching state funds for memorial honoring first responders
NEW HAVEN, Ind. — The clock is ticking.
Students on the New Haven Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council have just 60 days — until April 19, 2026 — to raise $50,000 through the state’s CreatINg Places crowdfunding program. If they hit the goal, the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority will match every dollar, turning $50,000 in community donations into $100,000 for Guardian Park.
This is the biggest project these teenagers have ever tackled — and they are all in.
“It is so inspiring to see these young leaders at work,” Mayor Steve McMichael said. “The park and the skills these young changemakers gain will serve our community for years to come.”
What Is Guardian Park?
Guardian Park will be built on the former Schnelker Park site along the Maumee River pathway in downtown New Haven.
The park will honor police officers, firefighters, EMS workers, dispatchers, corrections officers, and military veterans — the people the council calls “guardians” of the community.
Plans include:
- A central memorial wall with names of fallen and retired guardians
- Reflective seating areas
- Walking paths tied into the river greenway
- Educational plaques telling the stories of local heroes
The Youth Advisory Council first pitched the idea in 2024. City Council approved it unanimously last year. Now the students are handling design input, marketing, and the entire fundraising campaign.
How the Matching Grant Works
The CreatINg Places program is simple but powerful.
Residents donate through the official crowdfunding page hosted by the state. Every donation of at least $10 counts toward the $50,000 goal.
If the goal is reached by midnight on April 19, IHCDA writes a $50,000 check. If the goal is missed, the project gets nothing from the state and all donations are refunded.
This is the first time New Haven has ever participated in the program.
Teens Step Up in a Big Way
Council member and New Haven High School junior Avery Mendez told 21Alive the group wanted to do something that would outlast their time in school.
“We kept hearing adults say ‘kids these days don’t care,’” Mendez said. “We want to prove that wrong. This park will still be here when our kids are walking the river path.”
Fellow member Landon Johnson, a sophomore, has been posting daily updates on the council’s Instagram and TikTok pages. Videos of him standing in the empty field that will become the park have already reached thousands of viewers.
“People stop me at Kroger now and ask how they can help,” Johnson laughed. “It’s wild.”
The students have scheduled weekend donation drives at the New Haven Community Center and are partnering with local businesses for matching gift challenges throughout March and April.
Community Already Responding
As of February 19, more than $8,200 had been raised in the first 48 hours — entirely from individual donors.
Retired New Haven firefighter Tim Reber donated $500 and left this note on the crowdfunding page: “My dad served 32 years with NHFD. This park means everything to families like mine. Proud of these kids for making it happen.”
The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge and American Legion Post 330 have both pledged support in the coming weeks.
Why This Matters Now
New Haven is growing fast. Thousands of new homes are under construction east of town. Long-time residents sometimes worry the small-town feel is slipping away.
Guardian Park is designed to be a gathering place that reminds everyone — newcomers and old-timers alike — who keeps this community safe.
One mother who donated wrote, “My son wants to be a police officer when he grows up. I want him to grow up in a town that says thank you to people like him before he ever puts on the badge.”
The Youth Advisory Council has one clear message: this is not an adult project with teen helpers. This is a teen project with adult support.
And they are determined to finish what they started.
The crowdfunding page is live now at the link provided by the city. Every donation, no matter the size, moves the total closer to the $50,000 goal— and brings Guardian Park one step closer to reality.
These students have until April 19 to show what the next generation can do.
They are counting on the community to prove the adults wrong about “kids these days.”
What do you think — can they pull it off? Drop your thoughts in the comments and share this story with the hashtag #GuardianParkNewHaven if you want to help spread the word.
