DECATUR, Ill. – Millikin University students in the Department of Sociology & Criminal Justice continued their long-standing commitment to neighborhood revitalization through the Friends of Torrence Park initiative during an event on Tuesday, October 21, at the Decatur Boys & Girls Club. Led by Professor of Sociology & Criminal Justice Dr. Kenneth Laundra, Environmental Sociology students delivered hands-on community engagement that exemplifies Millikin’s Performance Learning model.
During the two-hour event, students provided 50 pumpkins for children to carve and paint, as well as 100 tote bags filled with fresh fruits, vegetables, and healthy snacks for families to take home. Each tote bag also included a community survey designed to gather resident feedback on priorities for the Torrence Park neighborhood.
Laundra emphasized how this course-driven project connects real-world learning with community impact.
“This activity is grounded in our ongoing Torrence Park Revitalization Project, which we have engaged in every Fall semester since 2019,” he said. “This ongoing project, recently renamed Friends of Torrence Park, has established a community garden and nature trail, and holds annual events such as block parties at the park, art and painting projects, and regular clean-ups where illegal dumping occurs near the trail.”
Millikin students worked closely with the Boys & Girls Club, a longtime community partner in the Torrence Park neighborhood. Director Ana Jones helped host Tuesday’s activities, which offered children opportunities to learn, play, and support healthy lifestyles in their own community.
In addition to supporting children and families, the project allows students to examine and address environmental and social challenges such as food insecurity, environmental justice, and underinvestment in community spaces.
“These actions are all intended to support our course learning goals,” Laundra said. “We hope the surveys distributed with the tote bags will provide residents a voice in shaping revitalized public spaces in this low-income neighborhood, which will guide future activity planning.”
Since 2019, the Friends of Torrence Park initiative has grown through collaborations with neighborhood partners, including educators, youth organizations, and residents. The effort reflects Millikin University’s commitment to building meaningful, sustainable relationships in Decatur while empowering students to apply their academic knowledge for community benefit.
Additional events and revitalization activities are planned throughout the year as students continue advancing environmental and social well-being in the Torrence Park neighborhood.
