Range of free and low-cost courses include computers, gardening, smartphones and more
Gary, Ind. — Indiana University Northwest’s Center for Urban and Regional Excellence (CURE) offers a variety of non-credit courses and educational programs that aim to assist people of all ages gain skills and enrich their lives as we face today’s challenges and prepare for tomorrow’s opportunities.
CURE offers a variety of learning opportunities for all ages through its Community Garden, Senior University, and Adult Education programs. CURE is enrolling now for spring sessions.
The offerings include:
Senior University: Contemporary Jazz Pianists
6-7:30 p.m., Monday, March 27 and Thursday, March 30
Zoom Meeting or dial-in my phone
Registration Deadline: Noon, March 24
Free and open to adults ages 55+
Offered by popular request, this two-part jazz history series will be an exploration of the jazz piano masters who are practicing their art at this present time. Join jazz pianist Billy Foster, as we listen to and study the backgrounds of old favorites like Herbie Hancock, Ahmad Jamal, Joanne Brackeen and Kenny Barron, as well as the younger generation pianists such as Gerald Clayton, Emmet Cohen and Christian Sands, and many others in between.
All others can call 219-980-6907.
IUN Community Garden: Urban Gardening
12-1 p.m., Wednesday, March 29
Zoom Meeting
Registration Deadline: Noon, March 28
Free and open to adults of all ages
Join Rebecca Koetz, Urban Agriculture Extension Educator, for this live Zoom session meeting to learn about urban gardening. This session will cover intensive growing practices, building healthy soil, and crop planning.
Senior University: Smartphones II for Androids
2-4 p.m., Tuesdays, April 4, 11 and 18
Concurrent via Zoom and in-person at IU Northwest
Registration Deadline: Noon, March 27
Free and open to adults ages 55+
If you have mastered sending text messages and making phone calls on your Android and are ready for the next level of smartphone usage, then register today for this three-part series! In these sessions, Brittany Taylor will teach participants how to scan and send documents, copy and paste and lock your private photos.
All others can call 219-980-6907.
Senior University: Smartphones II for iPhones
2-4 p.m., Thursdays, April 6, 13 and 20
Concurrent via Zoom and In-Person at IU Northwest
Registration Deadline: Noon, March 29
Free and open to adults ages 55+
If you have mastered sending text messages and making phone calls on your iPhone and are ready for the next level of smartphone usage, then register today for this three-part series! In these sessions, Brittany Taylor will teach participants how to scan and send documents, copy and paste and lock your private photos.
All others can call 219-980-6907.
IUN Community Garden: Soil – It’s Alive!
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 11
Zoom Meeting
Registration Deadline: Noon, April 10
Free and open to adults of all ages
Join Victoria Jostes, master gardener & master naturalist, for this live Zoom session to learn about soil. The session will briefly cover the surprising origins of soil, then we will discuss what healthy soil is and why it's imperative that we maintain it not only for today but for the future.
Senior University: Write through Grief
3-4:30 p.m., Wednesdays, April 12, 19 and 26 and May 3
In-person at IU Northwest
Registration Deadline: Noon, April 3
Free and open to adults ages 55+
If you are seeking to work through grief, whether experienced as the result of the loss of a loved one or another life event or change, then know that this 4-part series was designed with you in mind. Led by a highly experienced instructor, Tavetta Patterson, these sessions will provide participants with a safe space to engage in life-changing writing activities. Participants will also be provided with valuable strategies for creating a new normal in life, tools for conquering fears related to life changes and methods for building bridges and connecting to a support team.
All others can call 219-980-6907.
Senior University: Introduction to Email and Internet
12-2 p.m., Fridays, April 14, 21 and 28
In-person at IU Northwest
Registration Deadline: Noon, April 6
Free and open to adults ages 55+
If you have a functioning knowledge of computers (i.e., you can access an email account) and are ready to take the next step, then join Chelsea Whittington for this three-part, in-person series! The email component of the series will introduce participants to basic email terms and actions such as forwarding messages, attaching photos and documents and sending messages to multiple parties. The internet component will define basic internet terms and teach participants how to access and surf the internet safely.
All others can call 219-980-6907.
IUN Community Garden: Engaging Youth in the Garden
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 18
Zoom Meeting
Registration Deadline: Noon, April 17
Free and open to adults of all ages
Join Rebecca Koetz, Purdue Extension’s Lake County urban agriculture educator, for this live Zoom meeting and learn about best practices for engaging youth in the garden. Participants are certain to gain several activity and curriculum ideas for working with youth in the garden. This session is perfect for teachers, homeschool families and youth group leaders wishing to engage youth in the garden.
Adult Education: Fundamental Courses
24/7 Access; All classes start new every month
Cost varies; Courses for adults and young adults/teens
Online fundamental courses are informative, fun and convenient. Fundamental courses include instructor-led courses and self-paced tutorials. Instructor-led courses run for six weeks with monthly start dates and feature an instructor-moderated discussion board so that you can interact with your classmates. Self-paced tutorials are designed for completely independent learning, without instructor moderation, and can be started at any time. Complete any course entirely from home, at any time of the day or night. Popular courses include Speed Spanish, Accounting Fundamentals, Introduction to Microsoft Excel, and A to Z Grant Writing.
Adult Education: Career Training Programs
24/7 Access; Start at any time
Cost varies; Courses for adults
The online, open-enrollment Career Training Programs are designed to provide the skills necessary to acquire professional-level positions for many in-demand occupations. Our programs are designed by a team of professionals from each respective field, providing you with effective web-based learning programs. Instructors/mentors are actively involved in your online learning experience, responding to any questions or concerns, encouraging and motivating you to succeed.
Adult Education: Comprehensive Career Tracks
24/7 Access; Start dates vary
Cost varies; Courses for adults
These online Career Track programs offer students a chance to hone their skills in a variety of professions — from the arts to healthcare to web development. All programs are available in a self-paced format and have opportunities for national certification, externship placement and/or career support.
